| Anywhere from a few months to approximately a | | | | process begins. Again, in some countries this may |
| year after being approved for becoming adopting | | | | mean traveling to the country of origin to finalize the |
| parents the couple applying to adopt an infant from | | | | adoption in their court of law. Yet in other countries |
| another country will be matched with a child. In some | | | | the process can be handled and the adoption finalized |
| countries the families will be directly involved in this | | | | in a U. S. court. Even though a trip may not be |
| step of the adoption process by visiting orphanages | | | | required, it is often advised to visit the country the |
| and viewing photo listings of waiting children. | | | | adopted child is from for the purpose of becoming |
| Once a there has been a match the adoptive parents | | | | more acquainted to the culture and being able to |
| will receive a packet of information called a referral. | | | | better understand the circumstances surrounding the |
| In this information packet there will usually be a | | | | child's life. |
| photo of the infant for adoption as well as the child's | | | | After the child has finally been brought home all that |
| health information and status. Ample time will be | | | | remains is to finalize the adoption process. This will |
| given for the couple to review the referral and make | | | | mean fulfilling any remaining visa requirements |
| a decision as to whether they would like to pursue | | | | depending upon the visa an adopted child entered the |
| the adoption of this particular child or wait for | | | | U.S. on. If the child entered the U.S. on an IR-4 visa |
| another match. | | | | the child's adoption must be finalized in a U.S. court |
| Before making the decision, it is important to review | | | | prior to securing citizenship. If the visa was an IR-3 |
| the documents with health officials you trust, social | | | | visa then the child automatically became a U.S. citizen |
| workers and anybody else who may have | | | | upon arriving in the country. The adoption agency or |
| professional knowledge relating to the information | | | | attorney directing the adoption will know what type |
| received. It is much better to stop the adoption | | | | of visa was issued. |
| process before actually meeting the child as this can | | | | Finally, be advised that some states do not recognize |
| reduce stress and emotional complications for the | | | | the decrees of foreign adoptions. When this occurs it |
| infant. | | | | is important to readopt in the state of residence |
| The two most important pieces of information that | | | | once the child arrives in the U.S. After the adoption is |
| need to be scrutinized in the packet received are the | | | | proven to be legally accepted by all government |
| orphan status and the health status of the infant | | | | agencies then it's as simple as acquiring proof of |
| waiting for adoption. Because of the complexity and | | | | citizenship documentation and a social security |
| variance of foreign adoption laws it is possible that | | | | number. |
| the infant awaiting adoption doesn't qualify as on | | | | The process of adopting an infant via intercountry |
| orphan under U.S. law, thus, a visa will not be issued. | | | | adoption appears on the outside to be one of many |
| Discuss any issues or concerns that may crop up | | | | hurdles to overcome. Yet, in the end the rewards of |
| with the adoption agency or an attorney. | | | | being an adoptive parent, rather, a parent will far |
| Once a couple accepts a referral for the intercountry | | | | outweigh the supposed tedium involved. |
| adoption, then the legal adoption or guardianship | | | | |