Growing your family is one of those life decisions that can take many turns. For many people today, adopting children from foreign countries proves to be a rewarding experience and offers one method of alternative family building. However, before you begin, it’s important to understand that international adoption isn’t always easier than adopting domestically. There are numerous obstacles and roadblocks that can be costly along the way. Before you proceed, it is advisable to acquaint yourself with a reputable adoption agency that can provide you with concise information about what to expect, the costs, and the requirements.
When it comes to international adoption, there are many countries that routinely allow U.S. (or Canadian) adoptions with relative ease. However, these countries may occasionally suspend international adoptions. Currently, some of the most common countries open to international adoptions are China, Guatemala, Russia, and Korea. The ratification of the Hague Treaty on Inter-Country Adoption works to ensure that adoptions from foreign countries are ethical for all parties involved. As changes to this treaty occur, more countries will be added to the list of popular adoption destinations, while others may be removed for failing to comply with regulations. The countries mentioned are not the only ones that participate in international adoption, but they are among the most common sources for adopting children from abroad.
Understanding the Requirements for International Adoption
It’s important to know that both the U.S. and foreign countries set restrictions and guidelines on who is eligible to adopt. The countries involved in international adoptions often require parents to meet criteria such as age, income, number of existing children, marital status, and gender for single parents. These requirements can sometimes be quite unusual. For instance, in Korea, parents wishing to adopt from overseas cannot weigh more than 30% above their normal weight for height. Additionally, some countries, such as Armenia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, do not allow single parents to adopt. In some cases, foreign countries may require adoptive parents to maintain residency in their country for a certain period before being allowed to leave with the child. A few countries even mandate a residency of over two years, which may be unrealistic for many U.S. citizens looking to adopt abroad.
However, there’s good news for older couples. Many foreign countries do not impose an upper age limit on adoption eligibility. Religion can also play a role in some cases, as certain countries may not allow adoptions by parents who do not adhere to a particular belief in God.
If you are certain that you want to pursue adopting children from foreign countries, you should proceed with caution. For U.S. residents, there are around fifty countries available for international adoption. However, countries like Australia, Canada, and those in Western Europe do not allow Americans to adopt children. One of the main reasons people seek international adoption is because many foreign countries have a large number of newborns or young children available for adoption. Statistics indicate that more than 50% of children available for adoption abroad are under one year of age, and 97% are under four years old.
Another advantage of adopting from foreign countries is the minimal interference from birth parents. In many of these countries, such as China, where thousands of newborn girls are abandoned every month, birth parents are virtually non-existent. By the time a child is matched with an adopter from a country like the U.S., the birth parents have been legally removed from the process and no longer retain rights to the child. This means you’re less likely to face the heartache of a change of heart from the birth parents or be tracked down after the adoption.
Perhaps the best part of international adoption is that once you are approved, you are virtually guaranteed a child. The adoption process typically takes around 12 to 18 months from start to finish. During this time, you will need to make several visits to the country where you’re adopting. However, the adoption will be legalized before you return home, meaning there will be little to no red tape when you arrive in the U.S.
On the flip side, the travel requirements for adopting from a foreign country can be expensive and time-consuming. Some countries require families to travel more than once for interviews and to complete paperwork. And speaking of paperwork, you can expect to fill out over 100 forms, depending on where you adopt from. Home studies are also conducted as part of the process. One of the other challenges of international adoption is that adoptive parents often know very little about the health history of the child they are adopting. Since the birth parents are typically out of the picture, even the adoption agencies may not have detailed medical information. Moreover, many of these children, born in poverty, may suffer from health problems or developmental delays due to a lack of prenatal care. Fortunately, there are pediatric specialists who can assist in assessing the child’s health and recommend any necessary tests to check for potential health risks.
Adopting children from foreign countries can be an incredibly rewarding experience. By adopting, you are literally giving a child a chance at a better life, away from a poor environment. Of course, the costs and stress involved can take their toll. Before beginning your journey, it’s best to contact organizations like the Alliance for Children, which can provide contacts and agencies to guide you through the international adoption process. These agencies ensure that children are not exploited during the adoption process and that the child you are adopting has been acquired legally. You can get in touch with them at www.allforchildren.org.
