Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the adoption process. Please note that some answers vary by country. For more information on a specific country, visit one of the country pages by following the links to the left, or request a country-specific packet of information.
- Who can adopt?
- What are the age requirements?
- What are the residency requirements?
- Are there any other requirements?
- How do I get started?
- What is an I-600A?
- What is included in my adoption costs?
- Approximately how much will it cost?
- Approximately how long does the process take?
- Can I start an adoption if I already have one in process?
- What are the requirements for a Post-Adoption Report?
- What is a home study?
- What paperwork will I need?
- What is the difference between a notarized copy, a true copy, and an authenticated copy?
- What statistical information regarding convention countries is available?
Single women and married couples are eligible to adopt.
Single women may need to be at least 25 years of age to adopt. For couples, one parent should be at least 23 years of age. Prospective Adoptive Parent(s) should generally be no more than 40+ years older than the child they intend to adopt
- At least one parent must be a US citizen.
- If travel is required, the US citizen must travel.
- The US citizen may have dual citizenship.
- The family may generally reside inside or outside the United States.
- Prospective Adoptive Parent(s) must have no history of spousal or child abuse
- Prospective Adoptive Parent(s) must agree to complete medical evaluations, criminal clearance checks, and other forms of evaluation
- Individual countries have additional requirements. Click on the country-specific link to read more: Ethiopia, Russia, China.
GETTING STARTED
- Request an information packet and return the application that is enclosed
- Find a few agencies that are licensed to do international home studies in your state (prior to starting the home study process, contact Dove to ensure that the agency meets the country's and Dove's requirements)
- Download the I-600A form at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
The I-600A is a United State Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form that is also called the Application for the Advance Processing of Orphan Petition. This form allows the USCIS (link to http://www.uscis.gov) to begin processing a family's request to bring an orphan into the United States. It is a good idea to file the I-600A as soon as possible.
TIP: When filling out this or any other USCIS form, decide who is going to be the “Chief Petitioner” and keep that person consistent on all USCIS forms. If only one parent is a US citizen, that person must be the chief petitioner.
An international adoption through Dove is more than bringing a child home. Adopting through Dove allows families to participate in Dove’s mission to support humanitarian efforts worldwide. Each adoption through Dove includes the experience of domestic and international staff as well as donations for orphanages and humanitarian aid.
Adoption costs vary based on the country you choose, the state you live in, the length of time it takes to complete your adoption, and other factors. Adoption costs do not include travel costs, costs of authenticating documents, costs of obtaining visas, and many other items. For approximate costs by country, please click on the country-specific link: Ethiopia, Russia, China.
The adoption process varies depending on the country you choose, how quickly you are able to submit the required paperwork, court closures and court delays, and many other factors involving domestic and international entities. Any information on the length of an adoption process is approximate and is subject to change without notice. For approximate timeframes by country, please click on the country-specific link: Ethiopia, Russia, China.
In general, this may be permitted but your home study social worker and your families situation will have a lot to do with the outcome. It also depends on the country you choose to adopt from. As with any part of the process, requirements are subject to change without notice.
Currently, Ethiopia places no restrictions on a family being pregnant or having another adoption in process. China requires that a family wait at least 12 months from the arrival of a new child (biological or adopted) before it will permit a child to be adopted into a family. It is not advisable for parents adopting from Russia to have another adoption in process.
Each country has its own set of requirements. Prospective adoptive parent(s) should be aware that even if they have adopted before or have a current adoption in process, new paperwork will be required, new copies of forms will need to be requested, and a new I-600A will need to be completed.
Post-Adoption reports describe how the child and family are adjusting to one another and include labeled pictures of the child. Requirements for post-adoptions reports vary by country. Due dates for post-adoption reports may be determined by the court date, the date the child enters the United States, or other factors. Families should meet with their social workers well in advance of the due dates for their post-adoption reports.
Click here for more information about Post-Adoption Reports or contact us directly.
A home study is a process of education and evaluation that helps determine if a family is ready to adopt. Home studies are conducted by a social worker licensed in a family’s state of residence.
Requirements for home studies vary by state but generally include in-depth interviews with prospective adoptive parent(s) and at least one visit to the home. Interviews will cover prospective adoptive parent(s)' motivation to adopt, personal and family backgrounds, views on child rearing, and preparation for international adoption.
During the home study process, social workers help prospective adoptive families by providing information and resources according to the families’ needs. Upon the completion of interviews, visit(s), and adoption education, the social worker submits a written report to the adoption agency and makes a recommendation.
Click here for more information about Home Studies or contact us directly.
There are many types of paperwork required to complete an international adoption. The number and types of documents required vary according to the international country one chooses and other factors including state requirements. The following types of documents are generally required to complete an international adoption:
- child abuse registry clearance
- FBI and/or local criminal clearance
- physician's report
- employment/income verification
- names, addresses, telephone numbers of references
- *copies of marriage certificate(s), divorce decree(s) as applicable
- *birth certificates for every individual living in the household
*these documents are generally available through your state and multiple copies will be needed, find State information here.
14. What is the difference between a notarized copy, a true copy, and an authenticated/apostiled copy?
A notarization is any act that a notary public of Oregon (laws may vary according to each state) is authorized to perform, and includes taking an acknowledgment, administering an oath or affirmation, witnessing or attesting a signature, certifying or attesting a copy and noting a protest of negotiable instrument.
The definition for a true copy may vary with each state's notary laws. In Oregon, when certifying or attesting a copy of a document or other item, the notarial officer must determin that the proffered copy is a full, true and accurate transcription or reporduction of that which was copied. Your notary may not notarize your document as a true copy unless they make the copy themselves as even the margins and/or borders should match exactly.
An authenticated/apostiled document: When a document is to go to a foreign country, it is often necessary to have the notarization or official certification authenticated. Some countries call this an apostille. The Oregon Secretary of State can certify to Oregon notaries public and the State Registrar for vital records (Oregon Center for Health Statistics). Most states charge a fee for each authentication/apostille. Contact the Secretary of State or Notary division in your state of residence for additional information
15. What statistical information regarding convention countries is available?
1. Number of children placed in the last three years,2. Number of children Dove has currently available for adoption,3. Number of application currently in process for the country in which a client in inquiring,4. Number of dissolutions occurred,5. Number of grievances regarding the above,6. Any additional statistical information requested. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The information and links provided on this website are provided "as is." No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed, or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to the contents of this website or its hyperlinks to other Internet resources. Links to other website and materials may contain hypertext or links to other internet computer sites, which are not owned, operated, controlled or reviewed by Dove Adoptions International, Inc.These links are provided only as a courtesy to the visitor. Dove Adoptions International, Inc. does not control the organizations, views, accuracy, copyright or trademark, compliance or the legality of the material contained on those servers and do not sponsor, endorse, or approve the information, content, proceeds, materials, opinions or services contained on such external sites. The visitor proceeds to those external sites at their own risk. Dove Adoptions International, Inc., it's officers, employee or agents shall not be liable for damages or losses of any kind arising out of or in connection with the use or accuracy of information, including but not limited to, damages or losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or timeliness of any such information, or damages incurred from the viewing, distributing, or copying of those materials.Dove Adoptions International Inc. makes every effort to provide secure, accurate, and complete information on this website. Please note, however, that information contained herein may be incorrect or incomplete and may change without notice. Please notify Dove regarding errors or omissions.