Select a Country

Select a Country

What You Should Know

Countries that allow children to be adopted internationally (also called “sending countries”) are usually developing nations in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, and Central and South America. Each country has different intercountry adoption rules. Parents often find it helpful to compare adoption programs in several countries before making a final decision.

Here are some things to think about when selecting a country:

• Eligibility requirements for adoptive parents. USCIS has two basic eligibility requirements for prospective adoptive parents: applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 25 years old when they apply. For married couples, only one spouse must meet both requirements. In addition, each country and agency sets its own requirements for prospective adoptive parents based on age, marital status, sexual orientation, and other characteristics.

• Ages of available children. The ages of children available for adoption vary widely, from 3 or 4 months to 16 years, depending on the country. Laws in some sending countries require that efforts be made to place infants with families in that country before they can be placed with a family overseas. In those countries, infants less than 4 or 5 months old often are not available. According to U.S. immigration law, children must be younger than 16 years old in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States on an orphan visa, unless a younger brother or sister is being adopted at the same time or has been adopted by the same family. The USCIS website gives more details.

• Culture/ethnicity. Depending on the country you select, your child’s ethnic and racial background might be different from your own. Adopting a child of a different culture or race can present special challenges. Read more information on Transracial and Transcultural Adoption to help you prepare for adopting a child from another culture or race.

• Child’s placement setting: Institution or foster care. In many sending countries, children who need permanent families are cared for in institutions or orphanages. Children who spend early months or years in institutions typically show delays in growth and development. A few countries place children waiting for permanent families with foster families. Research suggests that foster families may offer the child better opportunities to form attachments with caretakers. However, many factors affect the quality of foster care overseas.

• Travel requirements. Most countries require prospective adoptive parents to travel to the country to complete the adoption process. The number of trips (generally one or two) and the required length of stay in the country vary. A few countries will allow the child to be escorted to the United States, but costs may not be significantly lower than for the family to travel to the child’s country.

• Cost. Costs also vary widely depending on the country and agency. They can range from $7,000 to $30,000 or more. See Funding Adoption for more information.

Talking with other adoptive parents about their experiences in different countries can help you with your decision. You can meet other parents through support groups for families who have adopted from certain countries or regions.