Why do we have to use an agency to adopt a child from another country?
Most foreign countries require an adoption agency that has been approved and/or licensed in the country to facilitate international adoptions. Russia does not require an agency, but most families find the adoption process formidable without the assistance of an agency.

What is the role of our social worker once the home study is done?
CHSFS country coordinator will remain in contact with your social worker as your adoption proceeds. When a child referral arrives, the country coordinator will contact your social worker with the child referral information. They will then arrange to contact you. When it is time for travel or escort, your social worker will be notified and a post-placement letter will be sent to him or her outlining what is expected in post placement reports.

What is a CHSFS country coordinator and what do they do for us?
Country coordinators are responsible for assisting you with the adoption process prior to travel or escort. Coordinators are in direct contact with the in-country representative and serve as the liaison between you and the in-country representative. Coordinators provide assistance with the dossier, give program updates, prepare and distribute child referral information when it arrives, and prepare you prior to travel. They work closely with both your local social worker and the in-country representative.

What is an in-country representative and what do they do for us?
An in-country representative is 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. In general, you may communicate with in-country representatives through your country coordinator. They will be happy to forward questions by phone or e-mail to the in-country representative. Sometimes our CHSFS country coordinators facilitate conference calls for a country representative and help translate for you, if needed.

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 will do 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).

How does the country's government affect my adoption?
Each foreign 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 those guidelines, even if they may cause delays or other roadblocks for adoptive families. CHSFS has no authority to dictate adoption regulations to foreign governments. When a country changes its adoption policies, CHSFS will 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, CHSFS will try its best to find another 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 that country. Countries often base regulations on their own cultural beliefs about what's 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 Americans 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.

Why is international adoption so expensive?
Adoption fees generally include money to support the on-going care of 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, etc.

Why can't CHSFS guarantee a healthy child?
CHSFS 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 child comes with a guarantee regarding health or development.

How are child referrals made?

This varies depending on the international program. In most countries, child referrals are matched by the in-country representative or officials from that country; other referrals are made by CHSFS staff.

Why is child referral information often limited or incomplete?

Children adopted internationally are usually coming from countries with political or economic problems. These countries are often poor and citizens have little, if any, access to medical care. In many countries, the stigma of unwed motherhood is one of the main reasons children are relinquished for adoption. In order to protect their identities, birth mothers abandon their children shortly after birth and leave no identifying information about them. Consequently, little is known about a child beyond its present weight and length. In other countries, children are abandoned in public places with a note pinned to their clothing, and no means of discovering any details about their history.

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 will likely be working with referral information that is limited or incomplete. In many cases, you may be able to forward 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. CHSFS will provide you with a list of doctors who specialize in children adopted internationally.

What things can go wrong during an adoption?
In some cases, a child has been reclaimed by a birth parent after he or she has been referred to a family. In other cases, a country has closed or changed its guidelines regarding adoption, and some families have been 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 that problem is solved in the country. There are always unforeseen difficulties in international adoption. CHSFS will do its best to keep apprised of potential difficulties and try to give families as many choices as possible for pursuing an international adoption if their first choice should fall through.

Who helps me if I have never traveled before and am worried about what might happen?
Both the country coordinator and the in-country representative will provide help at different times. The country coordinator will give you travel notes shortly after you accept a child referral. The travel notes will cover what to bring on your trip, the estimated schedule in the country, sightseeing tips, safety and health tips, etc. The specialist may also provide an individual or group orientation prior to your trip, and will be available before you travel to answer your questions about travel.

The in-country representative will help you once you are in your child’s country-of-origin by assisting you with the adoption process, briefing you about safety precautions, translating, arranging or accompanying you on sightseeing and touring, and helping you and your child throughout your stay.

When you are choosing an international program, it's important to determine what's involved in travel.  Some countries have shorter stays and offer more in-country support than others.  Some countries have child escort programs.  CHSFS can help you to assess all of these questions before you choose a country, so you can choose a program that best suits your needs.