| International adoption processes are complex | | | | You can talk to friends who have already gone |
| and involve lengthy bureaucratic red tape. | | | | through the process of international |
| Adopting a child from another country may | | | | adoption. You can also discuss the process |
| take you at least six months and perhaps | | | | with the agency and decide on a schedule for |
| several years. You should be ready for an | | | | the home study. The home study involves |
| expensive and emotionally tedious exercise, | | | | preparing all the necessary papers, |
| and many layers of bureaucratic formalities, | | | | organizing visits from social workers and |
| when you adopt a child from another country. | | | | attending classes on international adoption. |
| The money involved in the process may range | | | | |
| from $8,000 to $30,000, but the process can | | | | Once you get your final clearance for |
| be a lot smoother if you seek the help of an | | | | adoption, you can visit the child in his\her |
| international adoption agency. | | | | country and try to get to know the son or |
| | | | daughter who will soon become part of your |
| If you already know a child that you would | | | | family. Then you can file the papers for |
| like to adopt, the first step is to fill out | | | | adoption in both countries and get the |
| the Immigration and Naturalization Service | | | | passport and visa for your child ready. After |
| (INS) forms with the help of the adoption | | | | the final referral, it doesn't take longer |
| agency. But if you are randomly picking a | | | | than three days to complete the process, and |
| child from another country, you should be | | | | soon you can welcome the new member into your |
| looking at the condition of the children, | | | | family. |
| their ages and genders and other details | | | | |
| before filing the INS forms. You can select a | | | | Not all people go through adoption agencies, |
| child from agency photos and profiles, and | | | | but choose children from adoption oriented |
| discuss the health conditions of the child | | | | camps held in the United States, or through a |
| with a pediatrician. | | | | facilitator, or independently. |
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