What is an adoption study and why do we need one? 

An adoption study is a document written by a licensed social worker describing the education and preparation you have undergone to complete an international adoption, as well as information about your background and readiness for adoptive parenting. The country from which you adopt, your state, and the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS, formerly the INS) all require an approved adoption study for international adoption.

Why do we have to use an agency (rather than our state adoption social worker or a private social worker) to adopt a child from another country?

Most countries require an adoption agency that is licensed, approved, and/or accredited by the country to facilitate international adoptions.  Countries may require agencies that prepare adoption studies to be nonprofit organizations (i.e., China). For a complete list of adoption requirements for each country, see the U.S. Department of State website. 

What is our social worker's role once the adoption study is done?

Your social worker and Children's Home Society & Family Services (CHSFS) country coordinator remain in close contact as your adoption proceeds. When a child referral arrives, the country coordinator contacts your social worker with the child referral information, and arrangements are made to contact you. When it is time for travel or escort, your social worker is notified and is sent a post-placement letter outlining what is expected in post-placement reports.

What is included in international adoption fees?

Adoption fees generally include money to support the on-going care of children in the orphanage (food, clothing and medicine); a humanitarian donation; fees for authenticating or legalizing the dossier, including fees for seals and translation; money to pay for the salaries of orphanage caregivers, adoption officials, the in-country representative and his or her staff members; and money to continue the adoption program. It’s wise to compare country costs from agency to agency to find out what is included in the fees. Most agencies separate local fees, international fees and travel costs.

Why are fees and timetables often subject to change? 

Changes in a particular country may bring about an increase in fees or changes in the timing of child referrals or travel dates. Most international programs have relatively stable fee schedules and CHSFS does its best to ensure that dramatic fee increases do not occur without prior warning and explanation to waiting parents. Country coordinators keep in close contact with in-country representatives and try to keep apprised of potential changes in a program, but these changes are not always predictable. The most unpredictable cost changes are those of in-country stay and local transportation (seasonal).

What do your country coordinators do for us?

Our bilingual, bicultural country coordinators assist you with the adoption process.  They are in direct contact with the in-country representatives and serve as the liaison between you and the in-country representatives. Country coordinators provide assistance with the dossier, give program updates, prepare and distribute child referral information when it arrives, prepare you for the travel experience, and coordinate post placement reports. Country coordinators work closely with your local social worker and the in-country representatives.

What do the in-country representatives do for us and how do we communicate with them? 

Our in-country representatives are responsible for facilitating the adoption process in your child's country-of-origin. This often includes overseeing or communicating with the orphanages, processing the dossier in-country, making and/or preparing child referral information, assisting with humanitarian aid for children, and, if you are required to travel, assisting you while you are in the country. You may communicate with in-country representatives through your country coordinator, who can forward questions by phone or e-mail to the in-country representative. If needed, our country coordinators can facilitate conference calls.

How does the country’s government affect my adoption? 

Each country has its own rules and regulations regarding international adoption. All adoptions are subject to these rules, even though you are working through an U.S. agency. If a country decides to change its adoption policies, we are required to follow the revised guidelines, even if they may cause delays or other roadblocks for adoptive families. We have no authority to dictate adoption regulations to other governments. When a country changes its adoption policies, we try to ensure that those changes do not affect adoptions in process, but we cannot guarantee this. New changes in age restrictions, income, marital status, etc. may prevent you from adopting from a certain country. If this happens, we try our best to find another suitable international program for you.

Why do the requirements and procedures for adoptions from different countries vary so much?

International adoptions are not presently subject to any uniform guidelines. Each country determines its own policies and regulations for adoptions and U.S. agencies working in those countries are subject to the regulations of those countries. Countries often base regulations on their own cultural beliefs about what is best for children.

What can the U.S. government do (or not do) for me in the country of my adoption?

In some cases, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate can provide assistance to U.S. citizens who encounter difficulties abroad (losing a passport, being jailed, etc.). In cases of adoption, however, the laws of the child’s birth country supersede U.S. laws and the U.S. government is rarely able to provide any assistance with problems in an international adoption.  

How are child referrals made? 

This varies depending on the international program. In most countries, the in-country representative or officials from that country match child referrals; our staff makes other referrals.

Is it normal to be nervous about accepting a particular child? 

Yes. Evaluating and accepting a child referral can be very stressful. You are required to review your referral with a doctor or pediatrician, and you likely will be working with referral information that is limited or incomplete. In many cases, we may be able to forward your questions to the in-country representative, but additional information may be inaccurate, or may not be available. You and your doctor may still have questions at the time you are asked to make a final decision regarding the referral. We provide you with a list of international medical specialists, doctors who work with children in other countries and internationally adopted children and their families.

Why can't CHSFS guarantee a healthy child?

Our country coordinators and in-country representatives are not medical professionals and are unable to provide any guarantees regarding the health or development of any child. Most children adopted internationally have only limited information about their medical backgrounds. No children, regardless of their countries of origin, come with guarantees regarding their health, abilities or development.

What things can go wrong during an adoption?

In some cases, a child was reclaimed by a birth parent after he or she was referred to an adoptive family. In other cases, a country has closed or changed its guidelines regarding adoption, and some families were forced out of a particular program and lost a child referral and/or some fees. Some programs have undergone significant delays and parents with child referrals have waited months to travel while a problem is solved in the country. We do our best to keep apprised of potential difficulties and give families as many choices as possible for pursuing an international adoption if their first choice results in a stalled or uncompleted adoption.