How can the Life Source Center help me adopt a child internationally?
The Life Source Center assists with international adoption in several ways. The Life Source Center has adoption programs in several countries. Families can apply to the Life Source Center for these programs and placement is made by the foreign source through the Life Source Center. In addition, the Life Source Center networks with other U.S. agencies that maintain contacts with orphanages attorneys, and foreign countries. We can help families to network with one of these agencies. Thirdly, the Life Source Center can perform the home study and provide case management and post placement services to families who are adopting independently through a source or agency, which the family has identified.
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What services are provided by the Life Source Center?
The Life Source Center provides home study services, helps families complete the necessary paperwork for and international adoption, provides parent preparation and parent support groups, liaison with INS, and provides supportive services to families after the placement of a child. For families applying for placement through one of the Life Source Center’s international programs, works with the source abroad to locate a child. We assist families in preparing to travel and completing the adoption in the child’s birth country. Follow-up reports are submitted to the foreign source. The Life Source Center completes the paperwork for finalization of the adoption in Connecticut, in cases where guardianship, rather than a Final Decree of Adoption, is granted in the child’s birth country.
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What are the basic steps in completing an international adoption?
To adopt abroad you must complete a home study, choose a country program, and complete Immigration and Naturalization requirements and necessary paperwork for the country from which you hope to adopt. Usually, the legal aspects of the adoption and the immigration are completed when the adoptive parent(s) travel to meet their child. Post placement visits by the Life Source Center are usually required after the child is home.
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What are the paperwork requirements?
Required documents usually include certificates of birth, marriage, divorce, or death (if applicable), letters of employment, financial and medical information. Some of these will have to be notarized, certified, and then authenticated by the consulate or embassy of the country from which you plan to adopt. Specific paperwork requirements vary from country to country and the Life Source Center assists applicants with this process.
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What are the foreign requirements for adoption?
Each country has its own laws and regulations governing adoption. They differ form country to country and frequently change: however, some common requirements are as follows:
- Age restrictions: this is variable. Applicants for the adoption of an infant for many the countries should be between the ages of 25 and 45. Some countries have higher age requirements and some have none at all.
- Couples must have been married for at least two years. Some countries will consider single applicants.
- Some countries ask childless couples to submit documents of infertility.
- Childless couples are generally preferred, but couples who have adopted or have biological children are often acceptable.
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Do I have to travel to my child’s birth country?
In most instances, travel by at least one parent is required. The length of time varies from several days to several weeks. Some programs require two trips to the country. The LSC encourages parents to travel, regardless of the travel requirements of the country. It is valuable to see the country and experience the culture of your child.
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What information do we get when the child is referred to us?
Usually, at the time of referral, you will be given a description of the child including age, medical status, and brief social history. Often, only limited information is available. Sometimes a picture of the child will accompany the referral and sometimes one comes later, if at all. Once you accept a child assignment, you will be provided with additional information as it becomes available.
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How do I choose a country?
Your choice of country will be largely shaped by several factors:
- Your eligibility, given the country’s requirements
- Where you are most likely to get a timely placement
- Costs and travel requirements
- Your basic rapport with the culture, ethnicity, and identity of the country.
- View our International Adoption pages:
China, Ukraine, Guatemala.
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For a free copy of “A Child is Waiting… A Beginner’s Guide to Adoption”, merely e-mail your request to us through our contact page.
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