In this part of our series, we’ll be exploring international adoption for LDS families. The popularity of international adoption has exploded over the last several years, and in 2002, over 21,000 international adoptions took place in the U.S. alone! According to U.S. immigration statistics, China (6062), Russia (4904), Guatemala (2361), South Korea (1713) and Ukraine (1093) rounded out the top five countries where Americans found their children.

Choosing international adoption can be a daunting process, particularly if a couple is unsure which country they’d like to pursue (or even which ones are options!) when they begin. Because there are so many different countries involved, each with its own set of adoption guidelines, processes and “red tape,” there can be a steep learning curve for families! Prayer is definitely an essential as parents make decisions about which country’s program will best suit their needs. Once a couple decides on a country, they can begin the process of finding an agency. (As I mentioned in the previous section of this series, we’ll discuss specifics of agency selection at a future time.)

The process

In many ways, the international adoption progress is similar to domestic adoption, at least in the beginning. The family begins by deciding upon and applying with an agency, having a homestudy, and getting the required background checks. But instead of a birthparent letter and family profile, the couple compiles a dossier. Dossier requirements vary by country, but most dossiers include a copy of the homestudy, marriage and birth certificates, financial statements, medical forms, employment verification, and the like. Some countries require prospective parents to write a letter explaining why they chose that country and outlining the way they will care for their new child (including honoring that child’s heritage). Some countries require psychological assessments, letters of recommendation, and other fairly standard material. In addition to creation of the dossier, the family must apply with the government for approval to adopt an “orphan” from overseas. This requires submission of the I-600A form, appropriate fee, and copies of marriage, birth and divorce certificates. The couple is later scheduled for a fingerprint appointment, along with any other adults 18 and older living in the household, and the resulting government approval, the I-171H, is then included with the dossier. An international adoption cannot take place without this one piece of paper!

Once the dossier is submitted to the country, there are two major scenarios, but keep in mind there are also variations on these themes. In one scenario, the couple (or one spouse) travels to the placing country to identify their child or children. Usually there is paperwork and even court proceedings that take place at this time, and then the parent(s) returns home to wait for word that the adoption is final or can take place (more on those differences in a moment). In other countries, parents are “referred” a child, meaning that the adoption authorities have matched them with a child, in theory based on the parents’ request as to age and gender and information found in their dossier materials. In some countries, parents may be offered more than child to choose from, but in others, such as China for example, the child you’re referred is the child you get (except in unusual circumstances). The referral minimally consists of a photo and basic medical and developmental history information, but may also include detailed histories, information about first parents and reasons for placement, many pictures and even video.

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