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Home / Adoption / International Adoption

International Adoption

WE HELP CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS FIND PERMANENT, LOVING FAMILIES

OUR SERVICES

international-adoptionWe provide home study and placement services in VA, MD, MN and Western WI. If you are a U.S. resident living outside of these areas, we can assist you with the placement of a child through one of our international programs, while you work with another agency, licensed in your state of residence, to complete your home study. It is common for families completing an international adoption to use one or two agencies. One needs to be licensed in your state of residence to complete the required home study; the second needs to be approved to work in the country from which you are adopting.

You can view our general agency service fees here; we recommend that you look at the country flyer of the program you are considering for a more in-depth understanding of each program’s costs.

Quickly Compare International Programs with Our Chart

Tracks in International Adoption

There are three different track options for building your family through international adoption. All of our programs offer at least one of these tracks, some offer two or three options.

Traditional Track

Adoptive parents complete the required steps in an international process and wait to be matched to a child.

Waiting Child Track

Adoptive parents match to a child for whom our agency is advocating, this may occur at various stages in the process. Eligibility criteria may be less restrictive for families adopting through this track.

Hague Convention regulations prevent agencies from matching children to families who do not have a current home study. Because children should not be delayed in their journey to permanency, the profiles of waiting children may be under review by more than one family at a time. Children will remain in advocacy until an approved family has been officially matched by the Central Authority in the child’s country. The submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) or Commitment does not guarantee approval or official match by the Central Authority. We will work with you and the child’s country as each step in the process progresses.

View Children Who Currently Wait

Heritage Track

Some of our country programs have specialized processes for adoptive parents who have origins in that country. This track may entail expedited time frames or eligibility criteria that differ from other tracks. Currently, our programs in Colombia, India and South Korea offer heritage tracks.

Hosting opportunity in 2018

We partner with Kidsave to help children eligible for adoption stay with host families in designated communities for a 4-5 week summer visit through theirĀ Summer Miracles Program. The program offers Colombian children ages 10-14 the opportunity to experience the joys of summer and to help them find permanent, loving, adoptive families.

Learn More About This Program on Our Blog

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We believe that international adoption is a last resort. Children should, whenever possible, remain:

  • With their family
  • With a relative
  • In their community
  • In their country

International adoption is complex and constantly evolving. Alongside entering the process with an open heart, preparation through education and self-evaluation is paramount to the lifelong success of any adoption. Our goal is to provide you with access to a wide range of resources to help you make informed decisions that are right for you and your family.

A mother hugs her daughters adopted from Colombia and Ethiopia.SERVING ALL FAMILIES

We are dedicated to serving all families. Each country determines its own eligibility requirements for international adoptive families. We partner with a variety of countries in order to provide options to individuals and families regardless of marital status, sexuality, religion or race.

Adoption by Single ParentsAdoption by LGBTQ Parents

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Saint Paul, MN 55108
651.646.7771
800.952.9302
welcome@chlss.org

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8555 16th Street Suite 600
Silver Spring, MD 20910
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888.904.2229
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6800 Versar Center #404
Springfield, VA 22151
703.642.2193
888.904.2229
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