God's Families International Adoption Services

Getting Started with International Adoption adopted child

Overview

Selecting the best country to adopt from will encompass many factors including: timing, adoption costs, travel documents, the child selection process (choosing the child directly from the orphanage or accepting referrals via photos or video) and the impact on your family dynamics and lifestyle. This all may be carefully considered with our counseling staff who are Master's level professionals and adoptive parents as well.

As a prospective parent you'll participate in three areas concerning your adoption;

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As soon as we receive your application, the process will begin. God's Families will walk you through each step, what's due when and so on. You'll also receive detailed guides and checklists on how to fill out forms, collect documents, where to find them, etc.

You'll be collecting documents for all three areas, and often the same documents will be required, so it makes good sense to collect them all at the same time.

It is important to follow God's Families guidelines for preparation and collection of your documents, as USCIS and foreign authorities have very specific procedures and requirements. Our staff will also be available to answer any questions and assist you as well.

The Homestudy

Although the Homestudy is a state and federally mandated assessment of the prospective parent(s), family and home, it can also be a valuable tool for your family to prepare for adoption and evaluate its readiness.

If you are not currently working with a licensed agency concerning your Homestudy, please contact our office and we can refer you to someone in your area. God's Families will provide Homestudies for our Southern California families.

Your state and the USCIS have specific guidelines concerning the Homestudy so it is very important that your Homestudy agency is familiar and experienced in preparing international home studies. Please have your agency contact us for details.

Your Homestudy will be conducted according to your state's pre-adoption requirements in addition to USCIS requirements. This will include personal interviews, background checks, verification of health, employment, income, etc. Contact your Homestudy agency to verify that ALL of your state's pre-adoption requirements have been met.

Please keep in mind that any documents you obtain for your Homestudy cannot be used for the Dossier. They will remain with your Homestudy agency in their permanent case record.

When your Homestudy report has been prepared by your social worker, a copy will need to be sent to the USCIS and two notarized copies to God's Families.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

In addition to the Homestudy, you will submit an orange colored application entitled "Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition" or also called the I-600a form to the USCIS to adopt a child abroad.

To avoid delays, submit this information once you have made your decision to adopt (part of your approval involves fingerprinting and the FBI background clearance).

You will also need to submit with the I-600a:

  • A check for $545 + $70 per adult, 18 or older residing in your household (for fingerprinting) payable to USCIS.
  • Photocopies of your birth, marriage (current and previous) and divorce decrees.
  • You will be contacted later by the USCIS for a fingerprinting date.

    The Homestudy DOES NOT need to be submitted at this time.

To obtain USCIS forms call 1-800-870-FORM or on the internet at www.uscis.gov. Contact our office for assistance in filling in the correct information, particularly BLOCK II before sending it in.

You will submit the above information to the USCIS regional center closest to your residence. If you have any questions concerning filling out any forms or procedures, please contact the God's Families office. The USCIS will not return this form so it's always a good idea to photocopy and document all information before it is sent.

In the event that you move after submitting your I-600a, please notify our office. A Homestudy update for your new residence is required and will need to be submitted to the US Embassy or Consulate before you travel.

You are required by law to work directly with the USCIS, however God's Families will offer you assistance and guidance with the USCIS and their requirements.

Once your application, FBI background clearance, various documents and approved Homestudy is submitted, you'll wait to receive clearance to adopt a foreign child.

The foreign government will require this approval before they approve the adoption of a foreign child.

The Dossier

Your Dossier is a collection of documents and forms that will be presented to the foreign government. The Dossier will include various documents including marriage and birth certificates, verification of employment, health, criminal clearance, etc. as well as the Homestudy and USCIS approval letter.

God's Families will provide you with all instructions, forms, and guidelines for your dossier/adoption.

You will have already collected a good deal of these documents along with your Homestudy according to God’s Families provided checklists and forms. The Dossier will require authentication and each country has different requirements. God's Families will assist you in obtaining the proper authentifications for your Dossier and will process all documents to state, federal and foreign authorities for Apostilles and certifcations for you.

God's Families will review all documentation and submit those documents for authentications (apostilles and certifications) for you to all required authorities.