Overview Adoption Information for Americans Abroad

You CAN Adopt While Living Abroad

The Americans Abroad Program is designed for US citizens residing outside the US. This includes U.S. citizens temporarily or permanently living abroad such as military families and expats, as well as dual nationality couples.

All families living overseas who want to complete a Hague adoption must have written approval from adoption authorities in their country of residence prior to proceeding with the adoption . Please contact us for more detailed information.

Children’s House International has programs to aid US Citizens residing abroad in the following countries:

Bulgaria, China, Hungary, Poland, Ethiopia, Ukraine and Morocco

Adoption Process

The steps to adopt while residing outside the US for an international adoption may require more work when you reside out the US. That’s exactly why you should chose Children’s House International when you live aboard. We have the experience to guide you through the process.

Select Children’s House International as your agency.

If you live in a Hague Country obtaining pre approval the Central Authority of the country you reside in.

Complete a homestudy which is really a family study which must be done by a social worker and is needed for both immigration and your country of adoption.

Apply to USCIS(immigration). This process will result in a visa necessary to bring your child home. If you are living overseas, the process is somewhat different than a family living in the U.S.

Complete your “dossier” which is the paperwork required by your country of adoption.

Accept or decline your child’s referral.

Travel to the country to complete the adoption.

Arrive home and complete the post adoption requirements.

We work very closely with my families, having daily contact by phone or email while they are going through the process. I can assist you with things such as notarization and authentication of your documents which is often an issue for families living abroad.

You will also be part of a close network of adoptive families who also live outside the U.S.

For more information on the program for families living outside the U.S. email inquiry@chiadopt.com.

Country programs for Americans abroad

Here is a brief description of programs Children’s House International can help you with for your international adoption.

China

There are over 2,000 children of all ages on China’s Special Needs List, many of which have minor, correctable medical issues. These children can be brought home in less than a year, which is very different from the traditional China Program. China issues an IR3 visa which means your adoption is final when you leave the country. China requires one trip to complete an adoption. China is a Hague country.

Morocco

There are many healthy baby girls and boys, under one year of age, in Morocco waiting for their families. These adoptions can take 6 months from the time your paperwork is complete. Morocco issues a guardianship and IR4 visa. You must finalize your adoption in a U.S. state court. Morocco requires two trips to complete an adoption. Morocco is an Non Hague country.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia has many healthy infants and toddlers, both boys and girls, available for adoption. The adoption can be completed in less than one year. Ethiopia requires two trips to the country to complete the adoption. Families receive an IR3 visa which means their adoption is final in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a Non Hague country.

Ukraine

Ukraine has beautiful boys and girls available for adoption but most are about 5 years of age and older or sibling groups with varied ages. A family is required to be in Ukraine for about 35 days. You receive an IR3 visa in Ukraine which means your adoption is final and you receive an IR3 visa. Ukraine is a Non Hague country.

Bulgaria

Families may apply to adopt a child that is considered as healthy as possible. That program will require a family to wait longer for referrals; more than a year is typical. Because of that, may families choose to work with the special needs program.

Poland

Polish children are available in our program between the ages of 14 months to 14 years old. This includes both boys and girls. The majority of our referrals at this time are for older children and children with medical needs, and sibling groups. The children may be living in loving and supportive foster care families or in orphanages depending on their level of need.

Hungary

Children over the age of 24 months are available. The majority of these children are of Gypsy or Roma descent, though children of European descent are sometimes referred. Many children have been abandoned and information or their birth family’s don’t exist, which means there may be little background or health history available. Some children, relinquished by their birth parents will have background and health history available

We will be there through each step of your journey to provide with in country representation, advice, and other arrangements for the adoption.

Adoption Forms and Fees

For more information including our application, agency retainer agreement and financial agreements and statistical information on: the number of adoption placements per year for the prior 3 calendar years, the number of placements that remain intact, the number of families who apply to adopt each year, and the number of waiting children eligible for adoption, click here.

For more information email: inquiry@chiadopt.com