| An adoption of a foreign child by a United States | | | | well the agency handled their case. The agency also |
| citizen is a little more complicated than a local | | | | must be properly licensed. Always check to be |
| adoption. The U.S. government, in the form of the | | | | certain the license is current and valid. Your state |
| U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, will have | | | | government should be able to help you with this. |
| to become involved when an overseas adoption | | | | Check for customer complaints filed against the |
| agency is involved. They will coordinate with the | | | | agency with the state's attorney general or the BBB. |
| foreign government and the State Department. To | | | | You will want to make certain that the agency has a |
| further complicate the matter, the state where the | | | | good record. If not, steer clear of them. |
| child will move to might impose requirements of their | | | | Expect the overseas adoption agency to have some |
| own. | | | | requirements of you as well. You are advised to |
| The initial thing to consider is which country to adopt | | | | scout out these requirements as well as any that the |
| from. In some countries the governments have made | | | | overseas country may have. There will be additional |
| provisions for adoption and the process is relatively | | | | costs associated with a foreign adoption so find out |
| smooth. But you will find that if the country is not | | | | what these are and be certain that you can afford |
| known for governmental stability, the process will be | | | | them. You will find them to be in the realm of |
| more chaotic if it works at all. | | | | medical, legal, and general red tape. |
| If you end up working with an overseas adoption | | | | It is a good idea to engage a social worker that has |
| agency, look for one that has been in business for a | | | | experience in overseas adoptions. They should help |
| while and enjoys a good reputation. It is particularly | | | | you with your home study and will know how to |
| effective if they operate in the country where the | | | | navigate their way through any required paperwork |
| child is from. Always get references for prior clients | | | | associated with your case. |
| and follow up with these people to find out just how | | | | |