There are an estimated 140 million orphans worldwide. each one deserves a loving family that will provide a permanent home. 

Thankfully, Americans are responding to this need as US families continue to welcome
children into their homes through international adoption.

Below we have general information on the International Adoption Process, The Hague Adoption Convention, and how you can learn more about beginning your own adoption journey.

Children of the World currently offers international adoption programs for

India, China and Dominican Republic. 

Learn more about

 INTERNATIONAL Adoption process

The adoption process varies from country to country, but the majority of inter-country adoptions follow the same basic steps:

  • Selecting your adoption service provider

  • Gaining approval to adopt

  • Being matched with a child

  • Adopting or obtaining legal custody of the child in the foreign country

  • Applying for a visa for the child to move to the United States

  • Traveling home with your child

To complete an adoption abroad and bring a child into the United States, you must fulfill the requirements of three separate governmental authorities:

  • The foreign country in which the child resides

  • U.S. federal immigration

  • Your state of residence.

Consequently, there are numerous documents required, and the process can be both complex and lengthy, but your adoption service provider is there to walk you through each step and help you navigate all three systems.   

To review the minimum criteria to adopt from one of our International Adoption Programs, Click Here.

THE HAGUE adoption convention

Much of intercountry adoption is governed by the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. The Hague Adoption Convention is an international agreement to safeguard intercountry adoption. The principles of the Convention include:

  • Ensuring that Intercountry adoption takes place in the best interest of children

  • Preventing the abduction, exploitation, sale, or trafficking of children

  • Facilitating communication between Central Authorities in countries of origin and destination countries

““The child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding...
Intercountry adoption may offer an advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a suitable family cannot be found in his or her country of origin.””

Therefore, many of the children available for adoption internationally have mild to severe special needs and are considered un-adoptable in their native country. Without loving and caring adoptive parents outside their native countries, these children would never have forever families.

Children of the World is pleased to be licensed in China, India and Dominican Republic to place children with loving U.S. families. Many of these children have very mild or already corrected medical diagnoses. Some have very severe conditions. All of our families are free to designate specific conditions or degree of special needs that they feel prepared to parent.

For a more complete overview of intercountry adoption, visit the US State Department website here.

 

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18

Learning More About International Adoption

Ready to learn more about international adoption, and how Children of the World can play a part? 

Visit our Beginning Your Journey Page for answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), review the minimum criteria for prospective adoptive parents, find resources to educate yourself on the topic, and learn how to begin the adoption process.