What Country Can I Adopt From?
by Sue Merriam
(Arcadia, OK)
What country can I adopt from is the question most couples ask when they first consider building their families through international adoption. The good news is, there are several countries through which you can facilitate an adoption. Here are some of the more popular countries.
China
While China is one of the more affordable countries from which to adopt, it is also one with one of the longest waits - up to three years from the time you first contact an agency to when you bring your child home. The good news is, the children aren't languishing in an orphanage all that time. Parents aren't given a referral until near the end of the process, and the children - mainly girls - are typically 7-9 months old when you bring them home.
Also, while the China program is a stable one, it is also one of the most stringent. You must be married, between 30 and 49 years of age, have no more than four minor children, be in good physical and mental condition (including having a body mass index of under 40), and earn at least $10,000 per family member including the child you wish to adopt.
Ethiopia
Recent wars have left the country of Ethiopia impoverished, and the AIDS epidemic have killed a large portion of the adult population, leaving millions of children orphaned due to poverty and disease. To provide homes for these children, the Ethiopian government has worked to make adoptions from their country affordable with a reasonably short wait. Generally it takes a year to facilitate an adoption from Ethiopia.
The children available for adoption range in age from infants and toddlers, to older children and sibling groups. The Ethiopian government prefers married couples who are at least 25 years of age and are no more than 45 years older than the child they wish to adopt.
Ukraine
The nice thing about adopting from Ukraine is you can either use an adoption agency, or pursue an independent international adoption, eliminating the extra cost of an agency. Children typically available for adoption from Ukraine are aged four and older.
Adopting from Ukraine is unusual in that you choose the child you wish to adopt rather than being given a referral. If you choose to adopt from Ukraine, expect to travel twice or spend approximately two months in the Ukraine. The process itself generally takes about a year to complete.
Other Countries
You can learn about other countries where international adoption is possible by clicking here.
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