Glossary

Abandoned Child:: A child that has been abandoned or relinquished by their birth parent(s) to the social services/adoption authorities within that country.
Adoption Agency:: A private organization providing adoptive services that is qualified, licensed, regulated and supervised by their state authorities, including Homestudies and post placement service. Although an agency can provide placement services for any state, they can provide Homestudy assessment and supervision for the state or region within the state that they are licensed for only.
Adoption Abroad:: An international adoption completed and finalized within the child's native country. This decree is legally binding within the US as well.
Adoption Center:: Usually the authority within the foreign country that supervises and regulates adoptive placements within their country. Most active countries have this central authority.
Adoptive Pregnancy:: Similar to a biological pregnancy, although most symptoms will be emotional and not physical, there is often anxiousness waiting for child information and travel.
Adults in Home:: Any person over 17 years of age, whether related or not, that physically resides within your home. They will be required to complete both state and USCIS background clearances.
Age of Parent:: The USCIS requires one prospective adoptive parent to be a minimum of 25 years old. There is no maximum, however, most countries will have a maximum age limit.
Apostille:: An authenticating seal placed on a document by the state Sec. of State where the document was issued for international purposes (Dossier). Certain specified countries only will accept these authentications on documents.
Attachment and Bonding:: The relationship between a child and parent where the child goes through the need-arousal-gratification-trust-need cycle and learns to "attach" to it's caretaker.
Authentications:: A generic name for getting a document the appropriate authentications by specific authorities for international purposes (Dossier). This includes both certifications and apostilles depending on what the foreign country requires. Always contact the God’s Families office with any questions.

Background Check/State:: Most states require a state criminal and child abuse clearance. Usually accomplished by submitting imprinted fingerprint cards or getting electronically fingerprinted.
Background Check/USCIS:: The USCIS will conduct their own independent criminal clearance via the FBI. You will get fingerprinted in a USCIS regional office closest to your home via an electronic scanner.
Birth Certificate/Child:: You will receive a birth certificate for your child from the foreign court with your name as their parent and any name you choose for that child. It will be translated into English in country for the US Embassy/US State Dept.
Birth Certificate/Parent:: You will need to obtain three "certified" copies from your birth state for your international adoption (Dossier and case record). Two copies need to be submitted to God's Families, one for your Homestudy agency. The USCIS will accept a photocopy when you submit your I-600a application. See God’s Families for a list of your state’s issuing authority.

Case Record:: The collection of records and documents an adoptive parent submits to an agency to make an assessment for that family. This record is strictly confidential.
Certification:: An authentication of a document required for international purposes (Dossier). Certain countries only require certifications. After receiving certification from the state Sec. of State, the documents will have to travel to the US State Dept. and foreign embassy in the US as well.
County Recorder or Clerk:: The county office that handles authenticating a document before it is sent on to the state Sec. of State for an apostille or certification. This office will usually have certified copies of birth, marriage and death certificates that occurred within ifs borders. Check with your state as many states will authenticate a notarized document directly.
Cultural Awareness:: When you can acknowledge, accept and even appreciate the differences of other cultures. This is a very important element to the success of an international adoption.
Culture Shock:: When an adult or child has to quickly adjust to a new culture including food, sound, thought process, language, action process, etc.

Definition of an Orphan or Abandoned Child:: Guidelines as established by the USCIS code. It is essential that a child meet this requirement to be eligible to adopt and then emigrate them to the US. The source country's Adoption Center traditionally qualities this status and children available. This rule is most misunderstood with US citizens adopting relatives abroad.
Development:: The emotional, neurological and psychosocial development of a child.
Dossier:: A collection of documents that will represent you to adoption authorities abroad. These documents will require authentications (apostilles or certifications) and to be translated.
Dual Citizenship:: When a citizen of one country takes on the additional citizenship and it’s privileges from another. What determines this is according to the original country's requirements. Some countries require you to relinquish their status if you take on citizenship in another country, others don’t.

Exit Visa/Process:: The emigration requirements of a child who has been adopted and now needs the proper travel and immigration documents from both the source country and the US Embassy before leaving the native country and entering the US. God’s Families representatives will assist you with this process.
Expenses:: Anything related to your adoption that is not a fee for direct adoption services.

Facilitator:: A person who facilitates or provides the adoptive placement services. A facilitator is not licensed or regulated by a state authority or agency, and cannot provide you with the Homestudy or post-placement services.
Fees:: Any moneys paid for adoptive services provided.
Fingerprinting/State:: Required by the state to process your criminal background check or clearance. This goes to a different agency, usually your state Dept. of Justice and not the USCIS which uses the FBI to process their own independent background check.
Fingerprinting/USCIS:: Required as part of your pre-adoption approval (I-600a). This will allow the USCIS to check your background using the FBI.
Finalization:: When your adoption is legally finalized and binding. This will occur within the foreign country with all programs God's Families is in.
Foreign Embassy/USA:: Where God’s Families will send for your visas (if required). It's also where your documents go to get certified if required by that country.

Guardianship Adoption:: When the source country allows the parents to leave with the child and complete the adoption after a 6 month supervision by a licensed agency back within their home state. The agency is allowed guardian status within this supervision as well. Only a few countries still operate with this process, mainly Korea. Most countries today complete the adoption within their borders.

Hague Convention:: The treaty that has currently been ratified by several countries, including the US, which would guarantee the rights of the child within international adoption and would establish a central authority including regulations and requirements both internationally and within the US as well. The US State Dept. has been authorized to oversee accreditation of licensed agencies within the United States.
Health, Healthy Child:: Children in adoption come in all shapes, sizes, ages, and health conditions. The definition of a healthy child from one individual parent to another will vary. It is important for prospective parents, always with the advice of health professionals, to look at any specific medical concerns to make the best decision and not rely on vague terms such as a "healthy" child. Most states restrict the use of non-licensed medical professionals making representations concerning health.
Homestudy:: An assessment process required by the USCIS, state and foreign government verifying the home environment and capabilities of prospective parents.
Humanitarian Aid:: Aid that is provided to source countries and particularity to orphanages that provide basic needs including medical supplies, vitamins, clothes, toys, etc. There is always need within these developing countries.

In country:: Whenever you are physically in the source country you’re adopting in.
Infant:: In international terminology, usually a child from 0-12 months of age.
I Prefix (for a form):: This is always an USCIS related form or letter.
I-171H Letter:: A form letter from the USCIS stating initial approval from the USCIS that they have processed and approved your I-600a form and that they have cabled the US Embassy abroad as indicated from your I-600a. You will need to provide God’s Families with a copy of this letter.
I-600A Form:: Called the "Application to Advance Processing of Orphan Petition", this is your initial application you’ll submit to the USCIS within your region of the US that will pre-approve you to adopt internationally This form is orange in color. You do not need to have a completed Homestudy nor have identified a child or country to submit this form, but you will need to submit photocopies of any birth, marriage (current) and divorce decrees of any applicants (prospective parents) plus the USCIS fee. There will be an additional fee for fingerprinting all adults residing in home over the age of 17. You will put God’s Families name as your agency on this form and not the Homestudy agency, as they will notify that agency for any problems concerning your application or adoption.
I-600 Form:: Called the "Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative", this is essentially the same as your orange I-600a form you originally filled out, with the exception that it is blue in color and states you have now identified your child and have their name to enter onto this form. This form is utilized by the US Embassy/USCIS when you are in country and going through the exit process/interview after you have completed the court hearing.
I-864 Form:: This is also called an "Affidavit of Support" and is basically a statement verifying that you have sufficient financial means to provide for a child. See requirements.
Intake:: Any information or documents required and submitted to the Homestudy or Adoption Service provider.
International Adoption:: Any adoption that doe not involve adopting a US citizen or that does not fall under the legal jurisdiction of the any state or the District of Columbia within United States, or any of its territories.
International Adoption Agency:: An private organization that has been qualified, is regulated and licensed by their state authorized agency. This license allows them to conduct Homestudies and post supervised for their licensed region as well as placement services. Most states require adoption agencies to be registered non-profit organizations.
Interpreter:: A person that will interpret or assist you with understanding spoken language.

Labor Pains:: Referred to as the physical pains that occur when a child is being born biologically. Adoption will have its own versions of such conditions with both the pregnancy and birth of your child. They will come in the form of paperwork, education, waiting, etc.

Moratorium:: When a foreign country temporarily closes it's international adoption program to restructure. It is important for an adoption agency to have several programs around the world to offer additional opportunities in the event of a moratorium.

Naturalization:: When a child not born in the US becomes a US citizen. (See N-643 form).
Non-Related Child or Siblings:: When you adopt children that are biologically unrelated.
Notary:: A authentication of a signature on a legal document. This often the first step in authenticating any documents that will later need to be authenticated by county, state, US and foreign authorities.
Notarized:: When the signature on a document has been witnessed by a licensed notary of the state. The notary will attach a document and seal to the document verifying this.

Older Child:: Different countries have different definitions on what is an older child. Roughly, a child over 6 years old.
Open Adoption:: When the birth givers have legal rights to contact the child. Although standard in the United States, foreign countries do not have "open adoptions" and terminate all contact, seal records, etc.
Orphan/Orphaned Child:: A child who has deceased biological parents.
Orphanage:: The place where abandoned and orphaned children live when they are relinquished and until they are placed for adoption. They are often like a large public school, where the child will eat, sleep, play and attend school. Depending on the country, they usually have a staff of caretakers, service personnel, doctors, etc.

Passport/Child:: Your child will be issued a passport before exiting the foreign country, allowing him or her to begin the exit process at the US Embassy.
Passport/Parent:: The identification document of a person required in a foreign country. You will need a current passport to travel to your child’s country. You can apply for this document at specific post offices, federal buildings, and USCIS facilities.
Patience:: The art of delayed gratification. An essential ingredient in parenthood and adoption.
Permanent Residency:: Usually referring to a type of entrance visa status by the USCIS.
Placement:: The act of "placing" a child with a family. In adoption terms, this means whoever will be handling the identification of a child as well as completing their adoption and all exit requirements of the foreign government. God’s Families will act as your placement agency.
Physical:: The medical examination required by most state governments to ensure that the adoptive parent has reasonable health and good life expectancy to raise a child. The US Embassy will also require a physical of any adopted child about to enter the US as well.
Private Adoption:: In international adoption terms, an adoption that is strictly within the judicial jurisdiction of a country, with the birth givers usually relinquishing their child directly to a foster care facility, foreign attorney, etc.. Available mainly in Latin America.
Police Clearance:: A criminal clearance issued by your local Police or Sheriff's Dept. that will be utilized by the foreign government and included in your Dossier. This will be in addition to the state Homestudy requirements and the USCIS background check.
Post-Placement:: Typically, interviews conducted by an agency's social worker after the completion of an international adoption to ensure that things are going well. Often required by state govt. and usually foreign government as well. Number of visits and length of post-supervision will vary from state to state and country to country.
Poverty Guidelines:: Minimum income standards as established by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services for various federal programs. The USCIS/US State Dept. utilizes these guidelines for the I-864 form as well.

Re-adopt:: When a family re-adopts or adopts a child again once back in the US. Although the foreign birth certificate of your child is legal and binding within the US , and though it is not required (unless both parents did not travel to see the child), it is highly recommended. It will give the child a birth certificate or delayed registration of birth from their state of residence. It will be within the jurisdiction of the county court in which you live.

Secretary of State/state:: The state office where your documents will be either apostilled or certified, depending on the country program.
Secretary of State/US:: The federal office in Washington, DC where any certified documents will need to be authenticated by the US State Dept.. Apostilled documents do not need to be authenticated, only certifications.
Siblings:: Two or more biologically related children available for adoption.
Single Parent:: A parent who is not currently married. This can include never married and divorced individuals.
Social Worker:: An agency’s representative that assesses a family according to state and federal laws as well as addressing social and psychological concerns. Most states require a social worker to possess a Masters in Social Work (MSW) or higher educational training.
Source Country:: The country that will provide available children relinquished for adoption to international families.
Special Needs:: A very confusing term in adoption as it means something different in every country. God’s Families always advises that each family address any medical or developmental concern specifically with the assistance of trained health professionals, as different families have different criteria and opinions. For example, some countries will designate a child as special needs due to age, being part of a sibling group, or a correctable situation.
State Dept. of Social Services:: The agency that regulates adoption and adoption agencies within a state. Some states will have a different name or may be under an umbrella organization within that state. Contact God’s Families if you need information of the proper authorities within your state.

Toddler:: This can mean different things in different countries, but usually a child between 18-60 months (1 1/2 to 4 years).
Translations:: When a document is converted from one language to another.

US Embassy abroad:: The United States will have either an Embassy or Consulate in countries it currently maintains diplomatic relationships with. An Embassy can fulfill all exit requirements for an adopted child. A Consulate will handle most of the exit requirements with the adoptive family traveling to the US Embassy later to fulfill all requirements.
US Consulate Abroad:: see US Embassy abroad.
US Embassy letter:: The letter from the assigned US Embassy that will be processing the final exit visa for your child. This is an important letter, especially if your source country has a Consulate and not an Embassy.
US State Dept.:: The federal agency that is responsible for all affairs of American citizens that take place abroad. With implementation of the Hague convention, the US State will also be responsible for overseeing accreditation of licensed adoption agencies to provide international adoption services. All US Embassies and Consulates fall under their jurisdiction.
USCIS:: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who deals with all immigration issues of your child. You'll first work through your regional USCIS office for initial approval to adopt a child from abroad (I-600a), with the US State Dept. (US Embassy) who'll act as the USCIS representatives abroad and will handle various requirements while you're in-country, and once again the USCIS when you want to naturalize your child when you return home.

Visa:: A document issued by the country for a fee allowing a person to enter it's borders for a specific time and reason. This document can be a piece of paper or a stamp stamped with the person's passport by the respective country's Embassy. God’s Families will handle both the Visa invitation and processing of the Visa for you.