How to Adopt a Child Overseas

Video Transcript

"Hello. Have you ever considered adopting a child from overseas? Well this is something I'd like to share some tips with you. My name is Dr. Felicia and one of the things about adopting overseas is that very often it's a closed adoption. You will not have access to the child's background information or the parent's health etc. You certainly want to find a local international agency that does adoptions overseas and consult with them for some time. Do expect a very expensive hefty fee because it's going to cast you not only for the adoption, but also for flights back and forth and hotels while you're there. So you need to be able to take time off from your work to go retrieve the child when in fact they find one that meets your criteria. In many countries you may have a waiting period from when you first meet the child to the time that you can actually take the child home. It could be one month. It could be at least six months. These are things that you need to search out and consider before you start. Very often older children go first and are easier to adopt and these are considerations you must make in terms of your own criteria. The main important thing is that you get a reputable agency in the United States that does international adoptions and also that you are prepared to be flexible, patient and have access to excess money if needed while you're overseas. I wish you good luck in your plight. This is Dr. Felicia. Goodbye for now."