Want to Adopt a Foreign Child?

Want to adopt a foreign child? It seems like everyone is doing it. Angelina, Madonna, Rosie. But foreign adoption is more than just a trend. For many, it is the only opportunity they will have to be a parent. And for the children, a future in the U.S. is often far more promising than the one they would face at home.

Before jumping in to foreign adoption though, there are some basic facts you need to understand about the immigration process for these children. Here are the steps you need to take, if you are interested in adopting a child from abroad.

Want to adopt a child from abroad? Don't let difficult paperwork and confusing immigration laws stand in your way.

Here are the basic, step-by-step guidelines on how to proceed.

Difficulty: Hard

Time Required: varies

Here's How:Before you even chose a child, file the I-600A form, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition. This way the USCIS (former INS) can determine if you are suitable, in their view, for adopting an orphan.

Find a child who meets the INA's definition of an orphan.

File the USCIS Form I-600 (Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, previously INS Form I-600). Each adult member of your family must be fingerprinted.

Wait until the Orphan Petition is approved.

After approval the orphan is considered an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen, and you can get an immigrant visa right away.

Bring your new child into the United States. After entry, the child is considered a lawful permanent resident.

It is a good idea to apply for citizenship for the child before he or she is 18 and must file on his or her own. File USCIS Form N-643 (formerly INS Form N-643), Application for Certificate of Citizenship on Behalf of an adopted child.

Tips: While waiting for the approval for the orphan petition, check the status of your application. Find the link below.

Adopted foreign children can often have adjustment issues that should not just be swept under the carpet. Acknowledge the child's ethnic background, provide therapy, find resources at our adoption site.