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The Intercountry Adoption Process

The intercountry adoption process varies depending on the State, adoption agency, and country involved. In every case, prospective adoptive parents must meet the basic requirements of U.S. immigration law and all children adopted through intercountry adoption must obtain a visa from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State.

This section provides resources on the intercountry adoption process and how to get started.

	Accredited, Temporarily Accredited, and Approved Hague Adoption Service Providers U.S. Department of State List of adoption service providers able to provide adoption services in connection with Hague adoption cases after the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption enters into force for the United States.

Getting Started in International Adoption
Adoptive Families Magazine
An overview of online resources.

How Do I Apply to Bring a Foreign-Born Orphan to the United States?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Answers to frequently asked questions about intercountry adoption.

The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children (PDF - 2578 KB)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (2000)
Provides a description of the intercountry adoption process and explains the major issues adoptive parents should understand before beginning the process.

International Adoption
Department of State
Information for prospective adoptive parents preparing to travel outside the United States to adopt, including travel warnings.

Inter-Country Adoptions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Includes an overview of the adoption application process and links to relevant forms.

Intercountry Adoption of Relatives
U.S. Department of State
Answers to frequently asked questions about the adoption of relatives who are citizens of another country.

International Adoption
Joint Council on International Children's Services
Outlines steps prospective adoptive parents can take to be better prepared for the adoption process.

International Adoptions and Adoption Subsidies
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Explains eligibility requirements for Federal Title IV-E adoption assistance and why children adopted internationally are generally not eligible for this assistance. Eligibility for reimbursement of nonrecurring expenses through State programs is also discussed.

U.S. Adoption Agencies That Place Children From Abroad
Child Welfare Information Gateway
List of licensed private adoption agencies that place children from various countries.

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Updated on June 24, 2008