International Adoption giving children a hope and a future Herbie Newell - Executive Director Lifeline Children s Services, Inc. www.lifelineadoption.org
James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Psalm 10:16-18 The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
Deuteronomy 24:19-22 "When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your I trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.
5 Things We must do for orphans... 1. PRAY - Ruth 2:5-8; 15 2. VISIT - Ruth 2:12-14 3. DEFEND - Ruth 2:8-9 4. INVEST - Ruth 2:9b 5. ADOPT - Ruth 4:9-15
International Adoption Components Homestudy (4 to 5 interviews with a Social Worker) Education specific towards the child being adopted. Background checks, psychological reports, references, based on the child being adopted, the State and/or Country. USCIS approval process which differs between Hague Countries and Non- Hague Countries.
International Adoption Components Approval by the country of origin, each of which have different requirements as part of a dossier. Matching process begins and then the family begins working towards travel. The time involved greatly varies from country to country. International adoption is an investment of time, resource, and money. It is essential that training occur in culture, need, institutionalization, and health in country.
The Homestudy Interviews: 4 total, 3 joint, 1 individual with each adult in the household. At least one visit must be in the home. Documents: birth certificates, marriage licenses, medical report, criminal history clearances, child abuse and neglect screens, income and employment verification, and international adoption training/ education Home Study written and finalized by social worker Time frame: 2-4 months depending on State Once completed, this report will be submitted to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for Federal approval
USCIS - Non-Hague Immigration Approval I600A: to be filed at the lockbox in Dallas Dallas will send the I600A form/fee/supporting documentation to headquarters in Kansas City where the application will be processed Home Study sent upon completion to Kansas City Fingerprint appointments issued File processed I-600A Approval issued giving permission to adopt Time frame: 3 months Fingerprint payment - $80/adult Application fee - $670
USCIS - Hague Immigration Approval I800A: to be filed with the completed home study/fee/ supporting documentation at the lockbox in Dallas Dallas will send the I800A form and home study to headquarters in Kansas City where the application will be processed Fingerprint appointments issued File processed I-800A Approval issued giving permission to adopt Time frame: 3 months Fingerprint payment - $80/adult Application fee - $670
USCIS Updates Anytime anything changes in your household (change of residence, employment, income, etc) you are required to report this change to USCIS. This will be done through a Home study amendment including the change in the household I-600s - no forms, no fees I-800s - Supplment 3 form, and $340 CIS approval expires after 15 months and you will update this approval by sending in an updated home study with updated information and updated documents (clearances, medicals, financial, etc.) I-600s - no forms or fees required for the first extension I-800s - Supplment 3 form, 1st renewal free, each additional $340
The Rest of the Process Dossier: Collection of Paperwork including marriage licenses, birth certificates, homestudy, immigration approval, employer letters, tax returns, etc. Approval and Matching in the country of origin (could be blind or come pre-travel) Proper preparation to parent while waiting Travel to the country and meet your child Go to the Consulate in the country of child s origin to complete the citizenship process.
Funding your Adoption IRS Tax Credit Currently at $13,170 Employee Adoption Assistance Benefits If your employer does not offer this benefit, call Adoption and the Workplace at the National Adoption Center (800-TO-ADOPT) for materials to guide you in requesting this benefit from your employer. http://www.adopt.org Adoption Grants No Interest Adoption Loans and Matching Grants Abba Fund Lifesong for Orphans Show Hope
Funding your Adoption Assistance with Children with Special Needs Children with special needs may qualify for an adoption subsidy that is paid to adoptive families to help them pay for their child s need for ongoing therapies or treatment. Adoption subsidy agreements must be negotiated with the placing agency before the child s adoption is finalized. For more information on adoption subsidy http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy.html. You can also call their NAATRIN adoption subsidy helpline with specific subsidy questions at 800.470.6665
China Adoption
Children Eligible As young as 8-14 months All health statuses Twins (rarely)
Family requirements There can be a maximum of 4 children already in the home Exceptions are made Medical history, case by case Criminal history, case by case Both parents must be 30-55.
Length of Process 3-4 years for healthy and 12-18 months for medical special needs, start to finish Home Study Immigration approval Referral Travel
Time in Country 2 weeks total ½ time spent in the provincial city where your child s orphanage is located ½ time spent in Guangzhou, where the U.S. Consulate is located
Other Terms of citizenship are automatic If both parents travel to China Post placement requirements include 2 visits- 6 months & 12 months
China Adoption Statistics
Ethiopia Adoption
Children eligible: healthy and special needs, single children/sibling groups/non-related, ages 0-15 years Children Eligible
Family Requirements If single, the prospective adoptive parent must be at least 25 years of age. If married, there is no minimum or maximum age limit for adoptive parents. The Ethiopian government has shown a preference for placing children with married couples, who have been married at least 5 years.
Length of Process 24-36 months, start - finish Home Study Immigration approval Referral Travel Typically, the Ethiopian government requires that a child be resident in an orphanage for three months before being adopted. Time in Country: 2 trips with each trip lasting 3-5 days
Ethiopian Adoption Statistics
Russia Adoption
Children Eligible Children from 8 months and up, health and special needs The Russian government maintains a database of children without parental care. Under Russian law a child must be registered first on the local databank for one month, the regional databank for one month, and the federal databank for six months before the child can be released for intercountry adoption.
Family Requirements For single persons who wish to adopt, there must be a 16 year age difference between the prospective parent and prospective child. No age requirements for married couples. There are certain medical requirements that adoptive parents must meet in order to move further in the adoption process (parents should consult their local adoption agency for more information).
Length of Process The process can take between 12-18 months depending on the region and the child being adopted.
Time in Country Prospective adoptive parents will have to travel to Russia 2 to 3 during the adoption process. During the 2 nd trip, there is a 10 day waiting period during which you can either return to the US or stay in Russia 10 consecutive days until the next step in the adoption process.
Russian Adoption Statistics
South Korea Adoption
Children from 5 months to 36 monhts and up, health. Special needs children are also available. Children Eligible
Family Requirements Prospective adoptive parents must be between 25 and 44 years old. Korean authorities usually require both prospective intercountry adoptive parents be younger than 45 years old. The age difference between the couple can be no more than 15 years. Married couples must have been married at least three years. Single individuals are not eligible to adopt a child from South Korea. The prospective adoptive parents cannot have more than five children, including the child(ren) to be adopted.
Length of Process There is currently a five month wait period before the child is eligible for intercountry adoption to ensure that the child cannot be placed through domestic adoption. The time from when prospective adoptive parents apply for a child in South Korea and when the child arrives in the United States is approximately one to four years. Healthy infant adoptions take approximately three years and children with special needs can take approximately one year.
Time in Country Escorts to bring the child home is possible, if you travel the time is 3-5 days, 1 or both parents can travel
Other The Korean government has expressed its intent to eliminate the need for intercountry adoption of Korean orphans by 2012 by encouraging domestic adoption of all Korean orphans. In support of this policy, the Korean government has established specific numerical quotas for international adoptions that are currently being reduced by 10 percent each year. Prospective adoptive parents should consult carefully with their adoption service provider in light of current Korean adoption processing times and South Korea s intention to end inter-country
South Korea Statistics
Ukraine Adoption
24-36 months and up Older children available All health statuses Sibling groups available, prominent Children Eligible
Family Requirements Age of parents- 25-55 Some exceptions made Length of Marriage- one year No restrictions on other children in the home No single parents
Length of Process 12-18 months, start to finish Home Study Immigration approval Travel Blind Referral Referral given in country
Time in Country 35 days 1 court appearance 2-7 days to obtain passports 1-2 days to obtain visas
Ukraine Adoption Statistics
Haiti Adoption
Children Eligible As young as 24 months All health statuses Sibling groups
Family Requirements Parents must be between the age of 35-55 (55 for special needs), and there can be no more than 15 years age difference between the husband and wife. Applicants between age 45 and 50 must be willing to accept a toddler
Family Requirements No specific income requirement Husband and wife must be married at least 10 years (up to three years of consistent dating prior to marriage can be added) Medical history, case by case Criminal history, case by case
Length of Process 24-36 months, start - finish Home Study Immigration approval Referral Travel
Time in Country 1st trip: 4 days submit I-600, meet with Judge, and meet your child 2nd trip: 1-2 days pick up your child
Other Stateside: Terms of citizenship are automatic But it is suggested that families readopt in the U.S. so child can have U.S. birth certificate Post placement requirements include 2 visits- 6 months & 12 months
Haiti Adoption Statistics
India Adoption
Children Eligible Because India is a member of the Hague Adoption Convention, children from India must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the Convention requires that the sending country attempt to place a child with a family in India before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry adoption. In addition India s requirements, state a child must be offered for domestic adoption, then Indians living abroad, then non-indians living in India, and then lastly families in USA.
Family Requirements Prospective adoptive parents should be at least 30 and no more than 55 years of age. Married couples may not have a combined age of more than 90 years. These provisions may be relaxed in exceptional cases, such as the adoption of older children, sibling groups, and children with special needs. Single parents up to age 45 can adopt. Prospective adoptive parents should be at least 21 years older than the child. Married couples need to have been in a stable
Length of Process / Time in Country The Process can take between 18-36 months. The amount of time spend in India is 2 to 3 weeks.
India Adoption Statistics
Taiwan Adoption
Children Eligible From 18 months and older All health statuses Siblings groups available at times Many waiting children will have medical special needs and/or be older (age 6 and above) Considered waiting children if they have been found harder to place in a family
Family Requirements Parents must be at least 25 years old - Upper age requirement 50+ (can be accepted for waiting child if over 50 on case by case basis even 55+) No Singles 5 year marriage requirement Medical history, case by case Criminal history, case by case
Length of Process Approximately 12 months from start to finish This time frame includes: Acceptance for waiting child adoption Home study Immigration approval Dossier submission, review and approval Court Travel
Time in Country 4 to 7 days in country court process is complete prior to travel Pick up child and U.S. Embassy Visa interview
Other Terms of Citizenship are automatic If both parents traveled to pick up child Post Placement requirements 4 reports at 1 month, 4 months, 8 months, 12 months Some adoptions will require post placements well after the first year but they do not need to be done by a social worker they are a report with photos done by the adoptive parents and submitted by agecy - will be designated in first legal document
Taiwan Adoption Statistics
Uganda Adoption
As young as 6 months and up All health statuses Children Eligible
Family requirements Age of the parents must be at least 15 years older than the child(ren) and no more than 45 years older than the child(ren). No income requirement No children in home requirements Medical history, case by case Criminal history, case by case
Length of Process 12-15 months, start to finish Home Study Immigration approval Referral Travel
Time in Country 4-6 weeks 3 court appearances 3-5 days to obtain passports 3-5 days to obtain visas
Uganda Adoption Statistics
Peru Adoption Lifeline Children s Services
Children Eligible Children from 12 months and older Peru s Priority Adoption Program is designed to find homes for children who are not initially adopted and are considered harder to place. The Priority Program includes children older than 5 years, adolescents, sibling groups, children with health problems, and children with special needs.
Family Requirements Applicants must be at least 25 years of age and no older than 55 years of age, with some exceptions to the upper age limit. Applicants must be at least 18 years older than the child(ren) they desire to adopt. Both married couples and single women can adopt from Peru. Married couples must have been married for at least two years.
Family Requirements No income requirement, but must show evidence of financial security. No children in home requirements, although Peru prefers the adopted children to be the youngest or the only children in the home. Medical history, case by case. Criminal history, case by case.
Length of Process 24-30 months, start to finish This timeframe includes: Home Study Immigration approval Dossier submission, review, and approval Referral Travel
Time in Country 4-5 weeks total General overview of time in country Week 1: Visit child in orphanage Week 2: Family placement period Week 3: Peruvian process Week 4: U.S. Embassy process
Peru Adoption Statistics
Hungary Adoption
Children Eligible 3-4 years and up Sibling groups available All health statuses
Family Requirements Age of parents- 25-60 Length of marriage- 1 year Single female applicants accepted No restrictions on other children in the home
Length of Process 6-12 months, start to finish Home Study Immigration approval Referral Travel
Time in Country 6 weeks 2 court appearances
Hungary Adoption Statistics
Bulgaria Adoption
Children Eligible Although children as young as 24 months and up are available for adoption the wait times for a healthy younger child (24 months 6 years) can be 12 36 months or more All health statuses children with special needs, older (above 6 years) and sibling groups will be referred much more quickly than healthy younger children Siblings groups available Adoption of 2 or more unrelated children at one time with no extra fee unless they are located in different orphanages then there is a small extra fee for the extra documentation Many waiting children available match is immediate waiting children added frequently to list
Family Requirements Parents must be at least 25 years old with no upper age requirement Single woman may adopt No maximum number of children in the home requirement Medical history, case by case Criminal history, case by case
Length of Process Healthy younger child 12 months 36 months or more from start to finish Children with special needs, older or sibling group shorter time frame than healthy younger children from start to finish (length of time for a referral/match will depend on the special needs requested, age requested and number in sibling group requested) These time frames include Homestudy Immigration approval Dossier submission, review and approval Referral Travel
Time in Country 1st trip 5 days Meet with child if adopting more than one child at different orphanages the trip can be 6 days so that you can visit 3 days and 3 days 2nd trip 6-7 days Pick up child
Other Terms of Citizenship are automatic If both parents traveled to meet child on the first trip Post Placement requirements 4 reports at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months
Bulgarian Adoption Statistics
Costa Rica Adoption
Children Eligible Older children (at least age 5) Sibling groups (one child could be under age 5) Children of all ages that have one or more medical special needs.
Family Requirements Applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 60 Both married couples and single women can adopt, married couples must have been married for a minimum of 5 years No specific financial requirement, but must show evidence of financial security Medical history, case by case Criminal history, case by case
Length of Process 24-30 months, start to finish this timeframe includes: home study immigration approval dossier submission, review, and approval referral travel
Time in Country 8 weeks Both parents must stay the entire time
Costa Rica Adoption Statistics
If you have any questions, concerns, or you just want to chat... Herbie Newell - Executive Director Lifeline Children s Services, Inc. www.lifelineadoption.org 205.967.0811 Newell@lifelineadoption.org