How to Adopt a Baby From Africa
Many people are increasingly seeking to adopt babies from Africa. Typically, this process is structured and costly and can involve a long waiting period. Depending on the region, the potential of political and economic changes that might disrupt adoptions can occur at any time. The process is certainly not simple but can be made easier when you learn more about the process and the steps needed to bring a baby home.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Passport
- Visa
- Plane ticket
- Money
- Documents for application such as birth certificate, bank statements, social security card, employment history, marriage license, and driver's license.
Instructions
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How to Adopt a Baby from Africa
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Write an adoption plan, where you formulate a long-term family plan, including what you want to give your new child and how the journey will affect the current people in your life. This plan can help your mental state as you begin the long process.
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Make a list of questions you have about adopting from Africa. Start by researching forums and community boards online. This will help you get an idea of what the process involves and the time it can take.
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Search for an adoption professional online or through word of mouth referrals. Compile a list of the adoption professionals who meet your basic needs, including price and services offered.
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Meet and interview several agencies, attorneys, and facilitators to determine who would be the best person to work with you and your family. Ask a lot of questions, get company literature, ask to speak with references, and talk about credentials and their experience with the adoption process. It is important to find someone you can work with well, since you may be working together for the duration of the adoption process, which is generally over the course of 12-18 months.
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Fill out the application. This process isn't hard but can be tedious and detailed, with numerous questions and personal information that you will need to provide. You can also ask for assistance from the agency you are working with.
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Start the application process for a visa and passport while waiting to hear back about an application. This involves a separate application that can be just as lengthy as the adoption application.
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Visit the region in Africa where you will begin the home study process. This is a lengthy process that can involve going back and forth to Africa or living there during your search and adoption process. Some regions require that you live to understand the baby's culture and country for three months before you can adopt a baby.
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Attend pre-adoption and parenting classes. These can involve anything from attending orientation sessions, training classes, or going to the orphanage to meet children.
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Get matched with a baby. After your home study, you will be placed with an orphanage where you will start fostering your baby through a court order. This will involve visiting an orphanage, where you will be observed. Depending on the region you are adopting from, this can happen right away or take a month or more.
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File a petition to adopt and undergo an adoption hearing. During this process the court reviews information about the child, the biological parents and the adopting parents. This can include: home study evaluation, pre-adoption counseling reports, financial background, education and caseworkers' recommendations.
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Receive an adoption decree where the baby's name is legally changed and the court orders a new birth certificate. Depending on the region and the immigrant visa issued for the baby, another court hearing might need to be be held to finalize the adoption in your home state.
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Attend post-adoption services and educational courses at home. You might also be visited regularly by social workers during the first year.
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Tips & Warnings
The application process will not only involve asking you questions, but also require you to involve doctors, employers, friends, family, social workers, police and state officials. You will also have an extensive background check, TB tests, income verification, employment verification, fingerprinting, HIV testing, and a home inspection. Research all prospective adoption agencies or facilitators that you plan to work with, taking into consideration when the agency received its state license and how many children it has placed. In the United States, you can contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services to learn more about the company you are interested in working with. For some regions you have to be 21 years old and 25 years older than the baby to be adopted. Additionally, some regions only allow adoption to married couples.
Some babies have developmental delays due to their time in an orphanage. However, most babies will rebound rather quickly with western immunizations and parental love and care. Be prepared to spend around $20,000 for an adoption from Africa. These costs cover application fees, visas, passports, home study, plane fare, fingerprinting fees, legal fees, etc.
