Our representatives in Ethiopia oversee the process from government approval to court, where the adoption is granted, and onward until the child travels to the U.S. From referral acceptance to a child traveling to the U.S. takes approximately 3 to 5 months. Parents can choose to travel to Ethiopia or arrange for an escort to pick up their child (escorts are available for children 12 months and under or in special circumstances).

International adoptions in Ethiopia are overseen by the Ministry of Women's Affairs, a government division under the Ministry of Justice which regulates all adoption processing.

A general outline of the process is as follows:

• Adoption study completion and CIS filing
• Dossier submitted to CHSFS
• Family receives child referral
• Court process in Ethiopia
• Completion of CIS paperwork for child's US visa
• Child travels to the U.S.

Timeframes

We provide approximate timeframes for all adoption milestones. Each family's process is individual and unique, therefore timelines may differ slightly from case to case. The following timeframes are generally what our families can expect to experience in the Ethiopia adoption program:

• From applicaton submitted until dossier to country: Varies, depends on how quickly individual family works to complete dossier; also depends on completion of adoption study. Typically 1 - 4 months.  
• Receipt of child referral: Approximately 12-18 months from submitting completed dossier. Several variables can impact this timing such as gender preference, age range, number of children you are approved to adopt and what medical conditions a family has indicated they are willing to consider or accept.
• From referral acceptance to travel: Approximately 3-5 months (1-2 months longer if using an escort.)