![](media/image1.png){width="0.6145833333333334in"
height="0.7138888888888889in"} The Family Liaison Office

**Intercountry**

**Adoption Guidelines**

**for the**

**Foreign Service Family**

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**Disclaimer**

This publication was written for use by U.S. Government employees and
their family members at U.S. Missions abroad and is not intended for use
by the general public. While every effort has been made to be accurate,
relevant U.S. and foreign laws and regulations may change and it is up
to the individual to seek current information.

Published by

U.S. Department of State

Family Liaison Office

November 2006

**Table of Contents**

[Foreword 2](#foreword)

[Introduction 2](#introduction)

[Chapter 1 -- The intercountry adoption process 2](#chapter-1)

[Understanding the Laws of the Country from Which You Intend to Adopt
2](#understanding-the-laws-of-the-country-from-which-you-intend-to-adopt)

[Understanding the Role of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Service, in Intercountry Adoption
2](#understanding-the-role-of-the-department-of-homeland-security-u.s.-citizenship-and-immigration-service-in-intercountry-adoption)

[USCIS Approval 2](#uscis-approval)

[Understanding the Role of the Consular Officer
2](#understanding-the-role-of-the-consular-officer)

[Understanding State Laws Governing Adoptions in Your U.S. State of
Residency
2](#understanding-state-laws-governing-adoptions-in-your-u.s.-state-of-residency)

[Chapter 2 -- Use of a private adoption agency in the U.S.
2](#chapter-2)

[Chapter 3 -- identifying a child 2](#chapter-3)

[Determining if the Child Meets the U.S. Legal Criteria to Emigrate
2](#determining-if-the-child-meets-the-u.s.-legal-criteria-to-emigrate)

[If the Child You Have Identified does not Qualify as an Orphan
2](#if-the-child-you-have-identified-does-not-qualify-as-an-orphan)

[Chapter 4 -- supporting paperwork 2](#chapter-4)

[Arranging a Home Study 2](#arranging-a-home-study)

[The Medical Examination/Vaccinations
2](#the-medical-examinationvaccinations)

[Authentication of Documents 2](#authentication-of-documents)

[Chapter 5 -- bringing your child home to the united states
2](#chapter-5)

[Documentation at the Port of Entry
2](#documentation-at-the-port-of-entry)

[Immigrant Visas for Children Adopted Abroad
2](#immigrant-visas-for-children-adopted-abroad)

[Should I Re-Adopt My Child Once I Return to the United States?
2](#should-i-re-adopt-my-child-once-i-return-to-the-united-states)

[Chapter 6 -- U.S. Citizenship for your adopted child 2](#chapter-6)

[Evidence of U.S. Citizenship 2](#evidence-of-u.s.-citizenship)

[Obtaining a Social Security Number for your Adopted Child
2](#obtaining-a-social-security-number-for-your-adopted-child)

[Chapter 7 -- tax credits and wills 2](#chapter-7)

[Chapter 8 -- human resources procedures 2](#chapter-8)

[Adoption-Related Leave 2](#adoption-related-leave)

[Travel Orders 2](#travel-orders)

[Health Insurance 2](#health-insurance)

[Chapter 9 - resources 2](#chapter-9)

[Department of State Offices 2](#department-of-state-offices)

[Department of Homeland Security 2](#department-of-homeland-security)

[DC Metro Area County Government Offices 2](#county-government-offices)

[Adoption Resource Organizations 2](#adoption-resource-organizations)

# Foreword

This booklet was written specifically for Foreign Service families
considering intercountry adoption. As you get started along the
complicated, exciting road to adoption, we hope that the information and
resources provided will be supportive and helpful. Our goal is to make
the process more understandable.

We wish to thank the members of the Foreign Service family who have
contributed comments to this booklet about their own experiences in
adopting overseas. All of the quotations in the sidebars throughout the
booklet are from individuals who have been through the process and were
willing to share their learning experiences, insights, and bits of
wisdom.

We also want to express our gratitude to Chris Lamora, Adoption Unit
Chief, and Ruth Lincoln, Adoption Officer, in the Department of State\'s
Bureau of Consular Affairs\' Office of Children's Issues for their
outstanding support in helping us to update this publication. The
contributions of Lydia Ellison, who worked in the FLO Office as part of
the Aspiring Leadership Program, and the ideas and guidance provided
Anne Reese, LCSW, a Clinical Social Worker in the DOS\'s Employee
Consultation Service, were invaluable.

The information included here is not meant to be all-inclusive nor is it
meant to endorse any agency or business. The Family Liaison Office of
the Department of State is not responsible for the services rendered by
these agencies. Foreign Service personnel need to understand that
adoptions are fundamentally a private matter. The United States
government cannot intervene on behalf of an American citizen in matters
of judicial or legal process in a foreign country. Regardless of the
contacts you may have in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, all adoptions are
conducted on a private basis.

Ann Greenberg,

*Director, Family Liaison Office*

> The Family Liaison Office, Room 1239
>
> Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-7310
>
> \(202\) 647-1076; (800) 440-0397; Fax: (202) 647-1670
>
> Email: <FLO@state.gov>
>
> Internet Web Site: <http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/>
>
> Intranet site: <http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/prd/hrweb/flo/index.html>

# Introduction

[]{.mark}

Adoption is a complex process, fraught with the possibility of
complications. For many in the Foreign Service, the process becomes even
more complex when the decision is made to adopt a child from a foreign
country. The focus of this booklet is the overseas adoption process.
While families adopting in the U.S. may find some useful information
here, there are endless resources on the market for domestic adoption.
FLO's purpose here is to provide guidance and resources specific to
overseas adoptions by Foreign Service families.

Prospective parents should carefully assess their personal reasons for
adopting. Your adjustment to the adoption, your child's adjustment, and
your long-term happiness will be enhanced by this self-exploration, and
by addressing any issues that may affect the adoption. After this
assessment, should you decide not to adopt, you should not feel that you
have failed or demonstrated weakness. Intercountry adoption is about
providing a family and a permanent home for a child in need, and if you
conclude that intercountry adoption is not right for you and your family
at a particular point in time, then you have made the right decision not
only for you, but also for the potential adoptive child(ren). There are
pre-adoptive classes available in the U.S., which many have found
helpful when considering adoption.

Adopting parents seem to cope best when they understand from the
beginning some of the general difficulties of adopting, taking them into
account in their planning. Adoptions can be costly, ranging from several
thousand to many thousands of dollars. The National Adoption Information
Clearinghouse provides information on adoption costs on their Web site
at [http://www.naic.acf.hhs.gov](http://www.naic.acf.hhs.gov/).

Adoptions can be lengthy, taking anywhere from several months to several
years to complete. "I wish I had known that the adoption process was
going to be lengthy," one adoptive Foreign Service parent writes. "It
would have reduced the impatience and anxiety that problems caused.
However, the length of time to adopt, the problem-solving and intense
discussion between my husband and me brought us closer together and
prepared us for the eventual arrival of our child."

Foreign Service families adopting abroad need to do careful planning
which takes into consideration factors particular to their situation.
Keep in mind that you will need to make certain that you have adequate
time to finish required paperwork before transferring from your current
country of residence to another country, including back to the United
States. Pay special attention to issues of timing and mobility:

-   When can the child be officially adopted in a foreign country or
    when can you obtain legal guardianship of the child?

-   When can the child be officially included on travel orders?

-   When can the child be taken out of the country?

-   When can the child enter the U.S. and on what type of visa?

Personal contingency planning is also critical for adoptive Foreign
Service parents, since unforeseen events such as evacuations, TDYs,
medevacs, and sudden transfers can interrupt well-planned adoption
procedures.

If you decide to adopt, we wish you a wonderful experience and hope that
the information and resources you find here will help you on your way.

# Chapter 1 

# The Intercountry Adoption Process

Those considering an intercountry adoption must deal with foreign
governments and foreign adoption regulations, the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security\'s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS)
regulations, U.S. state laws and colleagues within the Embassy or
Consulate's Consular Section. Understanding each part of the process,
and the accompanying paperwork, is important to keeping your focus on
the final goal -- the arrival of a new family member.

## Understanding the Laws of the Country from Which You Intend to Adopt

The process of adopting a foreign child differs from country to country.
The paperwork required in one country might be different in another
country; a process that runs smoothly in one country might be fraught
with delays in another. Since countries have been known to change their
adoption regulations without notice, it is imperative that you
understand the laws of the country in which you intend to adopt before
initiating an adoption. Some countries require that the adopting
parent(s) personally see the child before the foreign adoption decree is
approved; other countries do not. Some countries allow or even require
children to be placed in the adopting parent's care as a foster child
while the adoption process carries forward; others do not. Some
countries require that the prospective parents establish residency for a
stated period of time in the country in which they intend to adopt.

To obtain a foreign adoption decree, the prospective adoptive parent(s)
must follow the adoption procedures of the country in which the child
resides. U.S. immigration law (particularly the Immigration and
Nationality Act) establishes the criteria and definitions for an
intercountry adoption to serve as the basis for a child to immigrate to
the United States. Some foreign adoption decrees, while perfectly legal
and final in the child's country of origin, may not meet these U.S.
legal criteria. For this reason it is extremely important to research
the laws of the country before proceeding with an adoption. The Bureau
of Consular Affairs' Office of Children's Issues maintains
country-specific adoption flyers with current information at
<http://www.travel.state.gov/adopt.html>. A good place to start is by
reviewing the adoption flyer of the country from which you wish to
adopt.

**Contact the Consular Section:** Contact the Consular Section of the
U.S. Embassy in the country in which you intend to adopt. A consular
officer can provide you with the necessary country-specific information
needed for adopting a child, as well as a realistic overview of the
adoption process in that country. He or she can also provide a list of
attorneys within the country who handle adoptions. Connecting early on
in the process with the consular officer is important. The consular
officer will become more involved when the prospective parents apply for
an immigrant visa for their adopted child to enter the United States.
Full knowledge of your situation may also allow him/her to suggest
alternatives in case you face a sudden transfer or evacuation from post,
or if you run into unexpected local hurdles. Although the consular
officer provides useful information, he/she may not act as a personal
advocate with the local government; this is the role of the attorney
with the adoption agency or a facilitator.

**\
Assistance from the Office of Children's Issues in the Bureau of
Consular Affairs:** The Department of State's Office of Children's
Issues maintains current information on adoption procedures around the
world (country-specific adoption flyers) and publishes an International
Adoptions booklet. The office also coordinates policy and testifies to
Congress on issues relating to intercountry adoption. The office
provides general information about U.S. visa requirements for adoptive
and prospective adoptive children, can make inquiries of the U.S.
Consular Section in the foreign country where you are adopting regarding
the status of your adoption case, and can clarify documentation
requirements.

Country-specific adoption flyers, the *International Adoptions* booklet,
and other important information can be found on the Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs/Office of Children's Issues Web sites or can
be faxed or mailed directly to you.

For more information, contact:

> The Office of Children's Issues
>
> U.S. Department of State
>
> CA/OCS/CI
>
> Washington, D.C. 20520-4818
>
> Tel: 1-888-404-4747 (toll free)
>
> Fax: (202) 736-9080
>
> Intranet: <http://intranet.ca.state.gov/cainternet/adopt.html>
>
> Internet: <http://www.travel.state.gov/adopt.html>

## Understanding the Role of the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, in Intercountry Adoption

Americans seeking to adopt a child from another country and bring that
child to the United States must comply with both countries' laws and
regulations. The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Service (USCIS) plays a critical role in the U.S. side of
the process, and prospective adoptive parents should read and follow
closely the guidelines laid out in USCIS's publications and Web site
<http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/index2.htm>.

Those regulations spell out, very specifically, the pre-adoption
requirements for prospective adoptive parents, the categories of
children eligible for intercountry adoption, and the procedures U.S.
consular officers must follow in adjudicating immigrant visa
applications for such children.

The information from USCIS complements that of the Department of State's
Bureau of Consular Affairs, which can be found at
<http://travel.state.gov/adopt.html>. It is very important to remember
that each agency has a role in the intercountry adoption process, and
that consular officers at our Foreign Service posts abroad cannot issue
immigrant visas to internationally adopted children if the case fails to
meet both agencies' criteria and regulations.

Prospective adoptive parents, including those in Foreign Service
families serving abroad, need to understand that the U.S. officials
working on their cases strive hard to balance the proper application of
the relevant laws and regulations with a high level of customer service
that acknowledges the very personal, human effect of an intercountry
adoption on an American family as well as on the child. USCIS and
consular officers will do everything they can to assist you as you work
through this process, but they must still follow the basic rules and
procedures outlined below:

There are two separate processes that may be followed when adopting
children:

1.  ORPHANS

> a\) Advance Processing (I-600-A) - when you intend to adopt and have
> not yet identified a child, followed by
>
> b\) Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative (I-600) -
> when you have identified a child to adopt; and

2.  ADOPTED CHILDREN

> a\) Petition for Alien Relative (I-130) - when the child has been in
> your legal and
>
> b\) physical custody for a period of at least two years. In this case,
> it is not necessary for the child to meet the definition of orphan as
> defined in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

To complete an intercountry adoption and bring a child to the United
States, prospective adoptive parent(s) must fulfill the requirements set
by the foreign country in which the child resides, USCIS, and the state
of residence of the adoptive parent(s). Since the documentary
requirements are often similar, you should obtain several copies of each
document in the event it is needed to meet the requirements of the
foreign country, USCIS, and your home state.

The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is the U.S. immigration
law governing the issuance of visas to nationals of other countries,
including children adopted abroad or coming to the United States for
adoption. The basic statutory provision concerning adopted children may
be found in INA Section 101(b)(1)(E), which provides immigrant
classification for \"a child adopted while under the age of sixteen
years if the child has been in the legal custody of, and has resided
with, the adopting parent or parents for at least two years.\" This
so-called \"two-year provision\" is for individuals who are temporarily
residing abroad and wish to adopt a child in accordance with the laws of
the host country. Most adoptive parents, however, are not able to spend
two years abroad living with the child. Therefore, they seek benefits
under another provision of the INA, Section 101(b)(1)(F), which grants
immigrant classification to orphans who have been adopted or will be
adopted by U.S. citizens. Under this section of the law, both the child
and the adoptive parents must satisfy a number of requirements
established by the INA and related regulations, but the two-year
physical custody requirement is eliminated. Only after it is
demonstrated that both the parents and the child qualify, can the child
be issued an immigrant visa.

For specific information about USCIS requirements, see the booklet
M-249Y, *The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children*.
The USCIS also has a toll-free information number, from which you can
obtain M-249Y booklets and the telephone numbers of local USCIS offices
in the United States. The toll-free number is 1-800-375-5283 or on the
Web at
<http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=5f6596981298d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=e53807b03d92b010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1____>.

Your adoption agency or attorney will require specific documents, as
will your state of residence. These requirements may appear daunting.
The chart available on the Office of Children's Issues website at
<http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/notices/notices_473.html>, in
Appendix C, Section IV, serves as a checklist for many of the documents
that you will be expected to provide. In general, all agencies, whether
state or private, require proof of citizenship, your marriage license
(if applicable), a medical exam, proof of financial stability and
information about arrests or certification of a clean criminal record.
In addition, the home study (a report on the family prepared by a
licensed social worker or other person licensed to perform home studies)
normally is required by both the foreign government and the USCIS. The
government of the country from which you wish to adopt, foreign court,
your chosen adoption agency, or attorney, may request additional
documents. Please see the Office of Children's Issues website listed
above for further details.

**NOTES**

## USCIS Approval

Adoptive and prospective adoptive parent(s) must comply with U.S.
immigration procedures, initiated through the USCIS in the United States
in order to bring an adoptive child to the U.S. Simply locating a child
in a foreign country and going to the U.S. Embassy to obtain a visa for
the child will not meet these requirements. An orphan cannot be brought
to the United States for the purpose of legal permanent residence
without an immigrant visa, which is based upon a USCIS approved petition
(form I-600). To facilitate the process, we suggest that you contact the
USCIS office that has jurisdiction over your place of residence in the
United States for information early in the pre-adoption process.

## Understanding the Role of the Consular Officer 

The Consular Officer is usually the person at post who can provide you
with a realistic estimate of the time it will take for you to adopt a
child in that country. The estimate may be different from that provided
by a local lawyer. It is the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that issues the
immigrant visa for your adopted child to legally enter the United
States.

Consular Officers verify that prospective parents have submitted all the
required documents for issuance of an immigrant visa. For instance, one
visa requirement is the medical exam (see Chapter 4, Supporting
Paperwork). Another requirement is that the consular officer sees the
child in person. Once the file is complete, a final visa interview will
be scheduled.

The consular officer will review the USCIS I-600 petition, verify the
child's status as an orphan under U.S. immigration law (see "orphan
definition" on page 23), confirm that the prospective parents have legal
custody as defined by that foreign country's laws, review the child's
passport or travel documents, and review the medical report.

These steps are required by law and may take several days to complete.
While most cases go smoothly, complications do arise. The consular
officer may need additional information to confirm the prospective
adoptive child's orphan status. There have been cases where the Consular
Officer questions the approval of the Orphan Petition (I-600 Form) and
sends it back to the USCIS for reconsideration.

## Understanding State Laws Governing Adoptions in Your U.S. State of Residency

Children adopted overseas by Foreign Service families will probably live
in foreign countries for several years at a time. However, to bring your
adopted child to the U.S. to live, adoptive parents must comply with
U.S. immigration requirements.

Part of this process is that you meet the pre-adoption requirements of
your state of legal residency in the United States. Pre-adoption
requirements vary from state to state. You can obtain information on
pre-adoption state residency requirements from state and local officials
who have jurisdiction in adoption matters, from the USCIS office in your
state of residency, or from a licensed public or private adoption
agency.

The *National Adoption Directory*, published by the Child Welfare
Information Gateway, contains adoption-related information specific to
each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands. The directory lists state agencies on adoption, state adoption
specialists, state foster care managers, state licensing specialists,
social service agencies by county, and private and public adoption
agencies in each state. A copy of the directory can be downloaded from
their Web site at <http://www.childwelfare.gov/nad/index.cfm>. See
Chapter 9 for contact information.

# Chapter 2 

# Use of a Private Adoption Agency in the United States

**When Would a Member of the Foreign Service, Living Overseas, Require a
U.S.-Based Adoption Agency?**

An established adoption organization can assist you if you wish to adopt
a child domestically or internationally. However, before contacting an
adoption agency, there are a number of factors you should consider. Some
countries, such as Russia and Vietnam, require that you use a U.S.
adoption agency accredited to that country. Other countries, however, do
not permit foreign adoption agencies to operate locally, and prospective
adoptive parents are required to deal directly with local officials.
Therefore, it is important that you understand the laws of the foreign
country in which you intend to adopt. In addition, a U.S.-based adoption
agency may be able to help you in getting your required home study. Many
Foreign Service personnel who do not have relatives or friends in their
state of residency use an adoption agency to gather vital records, a
faster method than trying to collect these documents from overseas.

Before seeking assistance from an adoption agency, do your homework.
Talk with those in your support group, a lawyer, the Better Business
Bureau, the state Attorney General's Office, and state Social Services
about the agency.

For a listing of licensed adoption agencies by state, contact the Child
Welfare Information Gateway and access their *National Adoption
Directory* at <http://www.childwelfare.gov/nad/index.cfm>. Their e-mail
address is <info@childwelfare.gov>; phone numbers are (800) 394-3366 or
(703) 385-7565.

# Chapter 3 

# Identifying a Child

Foreign Service personnel can be confronted with a situation where a
child needs a home and their hearts go out to a child in dire need of a
family. The domestic employee of a Foreign Service family says:
"*Please, take my child and give her a better life."* The poor family
living on the street pleads: *"Rescue my child. We cannot feed him."* A
relative recognizing the pain you have been through trying
unsuccessfully to conceive a child says: "I have several children, why
not raise our youngest? We know you would make great parents."
Determining whether this child might be adoptable under U.S. law is
quite another story.

##  Determining if the Child Meets the U.S. Legal Criteria to Emigrate 

The fact that the mother says *"I give you my child"* does not
necessarily make that child eligible under U.S. immigration law to be
brought to the U.S. as an "orphan." USCIS rules are very clear on this
point. A person considering adoption must understand these criteria when
adopting a child, since local country laws may be less stringent than
USCIS regulations. *Misunderstanding the definition of "orphan" is the
problem that **most often** accounts for delays or denials of an
immigrant visa for the child.*

The local laws might allow you to proceed with the adoption of a child.
For example, you may take the child into your home and become
emotionally attached, with that child becoming very much a member of
your family, only to receive the devastating news that the child fails
to meet the U.S. definition of "orphan." In other words, you are now the
child's parents under the laws of his/her birth country, but you are
legally prohibited under U.S. law from taking him/her with you to the
United States.

To prevent this traumatic situation you must understand the definition
of "orphan" as stated in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The definition of "orphan" is:

*"\...a child under the age of sixteen who is an orphan because of the
death or disappearance of, abandonment or desertion by, or separation or
loss from, both parents, or for whom the sole surviving parent is
incapable of providing the proper care (according to the standards of
adoptee's country) and has, in writing, irrevocably released the child
for immigration and adoption."*

**Note:** Children aged 16 or 17 may be adopted provided that they are
adopted at the same time or later, and by the same adoptive parents, as
a biological sibling under the age of 16.

-   A child is not normally considered "abandoned or deserted" if he or
    she lives with his or her birth parent(s) prior to the adoption, or
    if the birth parent(s) has any control over who will adopt their
    child. *This is a crucial point.* You might have a very difficult
    time convincing USCIS or the consular officer at your post that the
    child was truly abandoned. *Abandoned* to you may mean that the
    parent has chosen to give up the child. Giving that child up to you
    does not meet the U.S. legal criteria. In order to protect children,
    and protect children from being sold to an adoptive parent, the
    rules stringently state that the child be irrevocably released. That
    means released without condition. If someone hands you a child and
    says "take this child" you will have a tough time proving that the
    child is abandoned. Local law may support your efforts if they have
    a method for determining abandonment. In some countries, there is a
    system for seeking the parent of a child and if no one claims the
    child after a certain period of time they can then be considered
    abandoned by the laws of that country.

-   A release by the birth parent(s) to a prospective adoptive parent(s)
    for adoption does not constitute abandonment. Also note that a birth
    parent(s) releasing a child to a third party for custodial care in
    preparation for adoption does not constitute abandonment.

-   Release by one birth parent does not mean that in the laws of that
    country the other birth parent has no parental rights. There may be
    occasion where the other parent can legally reclaim that child at
    any point.

-   A child is not considered abandoned if he or she is placed in an
    orphanage for a temporary period where the parent(s) has expressed
    the intention to retrieve the child or is contributing or attempting
    to contribute to the support of the child or who shows ongoing
    interest in the child.

-   The child **is** considered abandoned if given unconditionally by
    the birth parent(s) to a governmental agency, a court, an adoption
    agency or orphanage which is authorized under child welfare laws of
    that country to act in such a capacity.

## 

## If the Child You Have Identified does Not Qualify as an Orphan

If USCIS or the consular officer determines that the child you wish to
adopt is not legally classifiable as an orphan, you may still have
another option. Rather than petitioning for a child to obtain an orphan
immigrant visa, you may instead petition him/her to be classified as an
immediate family member as outlined in the "petition for alien relative"
at <http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130.pdf>.

This method, though it is perfectly legal and can work, leaves the
family vulnerable to time constraints and travel inconveniences until
the process is completed. The child could visit the United States on a
visitor's visa before those two years of overseas residency accumulated,
but then would have to acquire a local country passport and a U.S. visa.
Parents would be required to cover all the travel expenses until the
child could be included on the parent's travel orders - which could not
occur until the child's adoption was completed in the United States. The
child would also not be covered by the Department of State medical
program. Insurance companies might cover the child from the time the
child lives with the parent, but that would need to be clarified with
the individual insurance provider.

# Chapter 4 

# Supporting Paperwork

It may take a mountain of paperwork to complete the adoption process. In

addition to preparing documents for the home study or for USCIS, there
may be other paper chases to meet the requirements of the country from
which you are adopting. All documents should be translated into the
language of the country where they will be used. For example, if you are
adopting from Russia, your U.S. documents should be translated into
Russian for presentation to the Russian authorities. If, on the other
hand, your own birth or marriage certificate is in a language other than
English, you will need to get it translated into English to provide to
USCIS. Each document needs to be an original or certified copy and must
often be duly authenticated. Countries may also require that documents
be authenticated by their embassy or consulate. All in all, it can be a
lengthy, frustrating, and expensive process.

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

## Arranging a Home Study

A home study, or "pre-placement family and home evaluation", is required
as part of USCIS's I-600A process, which is the early step when USCIS is
considering your eligibility to petition an adoptive child. Many
countries of origin have similar requirements, but they may or may not
accept the USCIS home study as sufficient for their purposes. The Bureau
of Consular Affairs' country-specific adoption flyers cover this issue
country-by-country. You should also verify whether your U.S. state of
residence also requires a home study. Even if you are currently assigned
abroad, your home state still has an interest in ensuring that a child
who will eventually reside there is being placed with an appropriate
family. Whether it is USCIS only, or the child's home country, and/or
your state of residence requiring a home study, the process of getting
one is, of course, more complicated when you are living abroad. Some
Foreign Service families have done home studies at relatives' homes in
the U.S.; others have paid to have a licensed U.S. social worker fly to
their country of assignment and do the home study based on their U.S.
Government housing. Generally, that choice will be yours. In all cases,
however, you need to ensure that whoever conducts your home study is
appropriately licensed and that the home study will be in a form that
will be accepted by the end-user.

Countries in which international adoptions are common may have agencies
which are authorized to complete home studies; others may have few or
none. The best source for information on foreign government requirements
is almost always that government. However, in many cases the
requirements may not be available in English and there may not be
English speaking personnel at the country's national adoption authority.

For more information on home studies you can visit the following
resources.

> **International Social Service -- USA Branch**
>
> (For information on how to obtain certification of a home study report
> for use by USCIS)
>
> 207 East Redwood Street, Suite 300
>
> Baltimore, MD 21202
>
> Tel: 443 451-1200\
> Fax: 443 451-1220
>
> Email: <iss-usa@iss-usa.org>
>
> Web site: <http://www.iss-usa.org/what/intercountry_certifying.htm>
>
> **National Council for Adoption**
>
> 1930 17th Street, NW
>
> Washington, DC 20009_6207
>
> Tel: 202-328-1200
>
> Web site: [http://www.NCFA-usa.org](http://www.NCFA-usa.org/)
>
> **Joint Council on International Children's Services**
>
> 117 South Saint Asaph Street
>
> Alexandria, VA 22314
>
> Tel: 703-535-8045
>
> Fax: 703-535-8049
>
> Web site: [http://www.jcics.org]{.underline}

USCIS will not accept a home study that is more than six months old
unless it is accompanied by an update that is less than six months old.
Once the home study has been submitted, an amendment must be submitted
if there are any significant changes in the family including, but not
limited to, residence, financial resources, criminal history and/or
addition of child(ren)/other dependents/adult household members to the
family prior to the orphan's immigration into the United States. The
Child Welfare Information Gateway, part of HHS's Administration for
Children and Families, has home study information on their Web site at
<http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/adoptive/homestudy.cfm>.

## The Medical Examination/Vaccinations

To obtain a visa for entry into the United States, the adoptive child
must have a physical examination performed by a medical doctor approved
by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The required medical examination is
very basic; it serves to screen for diseases that carry public health
consequences and require treatment. Its purpose is to verify that the
immigration of the child is admissible under U.S. public health law.
Physicians authorized to perform the examination are "panel" physicians
who have been trained or reviewed by the Centers for Disease Control as
being capable of screening for the required diseases. The Consular
Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will have a list of qualified
"panel" physicians. In countries where Americans adopt in large numbers,
there may even be a specific doctor who handles all of the adoption
cases. The physical screens for seven diseases or conditions, including
tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. If the child tests positive for either of
these two conditions, it does not necessarily preclude the child from
entering the United States. The visa may be initially denied based on
the examination, but if the parents can show that they are financially
able to care for the child's medical needs, the visa denial may be
waived. Prospective adoptive parents may therefore wish to have the
child undergo testing by a private physician prior to finalizing an
adoption or obtaining an immigrant visa to enter the U.S.

As indicated above, the required examination is not meant to be a
thorough health screening. Many conditions, even serious ones, will not
be checked. Do not rely on the panel physician's exam to alert you to
developmental or other problems your child may have. It is strongly
recommended that you arrange for a thorough medical examination for the
child as early in the adoption process as possible so that you can have
a full understanding of the child's medical status. If that physical is
performed in one country while you are residing in another, the report
should be translated into English, and when possible an American
pediatrician should be asked to review it. Including photos or a video
of the child is most useful.

While the physician conducts the medical examination, the consular
officer must complete the I-604 Report on Overseas Orphan Investigation.
This report consists of a review of the facts and documents to verify
that the child qualifies as an orphan as defined in U.S. immigration
law. In addition, the consular officer ensures that the adoptive parents
are aware of any medical problems which the medical examination may have
uncovered. Only when this report is completed can the consular officer
finally approve the I-600 petition in those cases where the USCIS has
not already done so.

The child must also have the required and medically appropriate
vaccinations. If this is not possible, an affidavit concerning Exemption
from Immigrant Vaccination Requirements for a Foreign Adopted Child can
be obtained from the Consular Section. The adoptive parent must agree to
vaccinate the child within 30 days after admission into the United
States, or at least at the earliest time that it is medically
appropriate. If parents object to vaccinations on religious or other
grounds, a waiver can be filed.

See the Child Welfare Information Gateway Web site at
<http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/index.cfm> for a listing of
U.S.-based physicians specializing in health issues related to
intercountry adoptees. These doctors will, at your request, review
medical information, including videos or pictures of the child, for
prospective adoptive parents interested in a developmental evaluation of
the child. Please remember, however, that this is a separate medical
assessment than the one conducted by the "panel physician".

## Authentication of Documents

Most countries do not simply accept copies or even original civil
documents at face value. Almost every country requires that such
documents be authenticated (officially verified). The procedures for
authentication vary from country to country. For more information
contact the State Department's Authentication Office:

> U.S. Department of State Authentications Office (A/OPR/GSM/AUTH)
>
> 518 23rd Street, N.W.
>
> State Annex 1
>
> Washington, DC 20520
>
> Tel: (202) 647-5002, 1 800 688-9889
>
> TDD: (202) 663-3468
>
> Fax: (202) 663-3636
>
> Email: <AOPRGSMAUTH@state.gov>
>
> Web site: <http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth>

Necessary documents at various points in the intercountry adoption
process may include the following:

> Birth certificate
>
> Child abuse clearance
>
> Financial statement
>
> Fingerprints
>
> Foreign adoption/custody decree
>
> Proof of petitioner's citizenship
>
> Marriage/divorce papers
>
> Home study report
>
> Letters of recommendation
>
> Physician's report
>
> Police certificate
>
> Power of attorney
>
> Verification of employment.

It is advisable to have multiple certified/authenticated copies of these
documents, especially your adopted child's foreign birth certificate and
adoption decree or guardianship order. You will need these and other
relevant documents for immigration and U.S. re-adoption procedures.
Often foreign documents are difficult to obtain once you have left that
foreign country.

**Note:** U.S. embassies and consulates are not authorized to keep files
on adoption visas once they have been issued. Documents submitted to the
U.S. Embassy are not returned to you. They ultimately go into the
child's file, which is forwarded to the USCIS records storage facility.
Keep copies of all certified/authenticated documents!

# Chapter 5 

# Bringing Your Child Home to the United States

## Documentation at the Port of Entry

When entering the United States for the first time with an adopted
child, you should be prepared to leave certified copies of all adoption
documents at the airport with the U.S. immigration officers. Remember to
keep additional copies of everything turned over to the port of entry
USCIS officer.

## Immigrant Visas for Children Adopted Abroad

A child adopted in a foreign country or coming to the United States for
adoption must have an immigrant visa. There are three different types of
immigrant visas for adopted children, and the kind your child will need
depends on the adoption situation. For any of these visas, the child
must be under 16 years of age (siblings adopted at the same time may be
over 16 years of age):

**IR-2 Immigrant Visa**

An IR-2 visa is issued when the child is adopted overseas and has
resided abroad with the U.S. citizen parent(s) for at least two years,
with the parent having full legal and physical custody. It is important
to be able to show evidence of "physical and legal custody" of the
child. Keep records of when the child entered into your family under
your care. Definitions for proving physical and legal custody are
outlined on the Web site at
<http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/services/oproc.htm>. With IR-2
visas, a home study is not required, and the child does not need to meet
the "orphan" definition found in the U.S. Immigration and Nationality
Act.

**IR-3 Immigrant Visa**

The child who is fully adopted overseas but has not resided with the
adopting parents may enter the U.S. on this visa. For the child to be
considered "fully adopted" abroad, both adoptive parent(s) must have
seen the child overseas prior to or during the foreign adoption process.

To qualify for an IR-3 immigrant visa, the following requirements must

be met:

-   The child must meet the U.S. immigration definition of an orphan.

-   The prospective parents must have met all pre-adoption U.S. state
    requirements (including having conducted a home study if
    applicable).

-   The parents must have seen the child at least once, either before or
    during the adoption process in the foreign country where the child
    resides.

Consular officers cannot approve and issue an immigrant visa for an
adoptive child without an approved I-600 (Orphan Petition Request form).

**IR-4 Immigrant Visa**

The IR-4 visa is issued in cases where the child is to be adopted in the
United States. There are several reasons why an IR-4 visa could be
issued:

-   The prospective parents were given only guardianship or legal
    custody or the country does not issue full adoption decrees.

-   At least one parent did not see the child prior to or during
    adoption.

-   The home state in the U.S. does not recognize adoption in a foreign
    country as a full and final adoption.

IR-4 visas are issued only after verification that the pre-adoption
requirements for the state where the child will be adopted and domiciled
have been met. A home study is required. Re-adoption is necessary in the
U.S. state of residency where the child will reside.

## Should I Re-Adopt My Child Once I Return to the United States?

If the child is fully adopted overseas and has received an IR-2 or IR-3
visa, there is no federal requirement for re-adoption in the United
States. Even though re-adoption may not be required, the adopting
parents may choose to re-adopt the child for specific reasons, such as
to re-name the child, if the foreign adoption decree or revised foreign
birth certificate did not reflect the name change, or to obtain a
state-issued birth certificate. It is important to review the
requirements of one's state of residence on these issues; state laws
differ, and often counties within a state will have varying regulations
as well. Many adoption practitioners recommend that the child adopted
overseas be re-adopted in a court of the family's state of residence in
the United States . Conversely, some states recognize full/final foreign
adoption decrees and will not permit re-adoption since the state already
views the child as a full member of your family.

Adoption of a child in the United States is required when the child
enters the U.S. on an IR-4 immigrant visa, as the prospective adoptive
parents are granted guardianship of the child with the expectation that
s/he will be adopted in the U.S. The foreign government will often
require adoptive parents to furnish proof that the child has been
legally adopted.

If you are seeking information regarding re-adoption practices in your
state of residency, contact the state's agency that oversees adoption
issues, an adoption lawyer licensed to practice law in that state, or a
state-licensed private adoption agency in that state. A listing of state
resources, web sites and telephone numbers is available from the
Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS's) Child Welfare
Information Gateway in their *National Adoption Directory*, published
annually (see Chapter 9, Resources, for contact information).

# Chapter 6 

# U.S. Citizenship for Your Adopted Child

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

Under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, an adopted child who has been
issued an IR 2 or IR-3 immigrant visa ("orphan adopted abroad by a U.S.
citizen") automatically becomes a U.S. citizen immediately upon his/her
admission into the United States in the legal and physical custody of
his/her U.S. citizen adoptive parent. A child who is admitted into the
United States on an IR-4 immigrant visa ("orphan to be adopted in the
United States by a U.S. citizen") becomes a U.S. citizen only when the
adoption has been finalized in the United States and a legal
parent-child relationship has thereby been created.}

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-395) took effect on
February 27, 2001. Among other provisions, the law confers United States
citizenship automatically on children adopted from other countries by
United States citizens if certain criteria are met. Specifically, the
law amends sections 320 and 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
to provide foreign-born adopted children with automatic citizenship when
the following criteria has been met:

-   The child is under 18 years of age.

-   The child has been adopted pursuant to a full, final, and complete
    adoption.

-   At least one adopting parent is a U.S. citizen.

-   The child is residing in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody
    of the U.S. citizen parent(s) pursuant to lawful admission for
    permanent residence.

Upon entry into the U.S., the child's foreign passport is stamped with
DHS stamp I-551.

To apply for a U.S. passport, the parent(s) should have the following:

-   DSP-11, Application for a Passport

-   Two (2) identical photographs (2X2 inch in size)

-   Parent's valid identification

-   Certified adoption decree (with English translation, if necessary)

-   The child's foreign passport with DHS stamp I-551 or the child's
    resident Alien Card ("green card")

-   The applicable fees

For more information about the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, visit the
Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs Web site at
<http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/info/info_457.html>.

## Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

Having a U.S. passport is not the only way to show evidence of U.S.
citizenship. Having a U.S. birth certificate is another standard proof
of citizenship. However, by nature, foreign-born children lack a U.S.
birth certificate unless the adoption was finalized in a U.S. state. In
cases where a child does not have a U.S. birth certificate, parents have
two options:

-   use the U.S. passport as proof of citizenship;

-   apply for a Certificate of Citizenship for your child, through
    USCIS.

For information on how to apply for a U.S. passport, please see
<http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html>

For more information on obtaining a Certificate of Citizenship for a

foreign-born adopted child, contact USCIS or review the information on
the USCIS Web site at

<http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/factsheets/chowto.htm>
.

Applicants must complete Form N-643 and pay the associated fee.

## Obtaining a Social Security Number for your Adopted Child

To apply for a social security number for your adopted child while
living in the United States, you will need to complete Form SS-5. You
can obtain either of these forms by calling the Social Security
Administration at 1-800-772-1213, by visiting your local social security
office, or by downloading the forms off the Social Security
Administration web site at [http://www.ssa.gov](http://www.ssa.gov/).
You must submit certain documents with the form. Contact the Social
Security Administration to verify which supporting documents are needed.

# Chapter 7 

# Tax Credits and Wills

**Tax Credits**

You will need to apply for a social security number on behalf of your
adopted child if you wish to declare the child as a dependent with
exemption status and receive tax credits and payments when completing
Individual Income Tax Return form IRS 1040A. (Complete Form 2441, Child
and Dependent Care Expenses, and Form IRS 8839, Qualified Adoption
Expenses. Attach them to your IRS 1040A tax form for submission.) For
information on applying for a social security number, see Chapter 6.

Federal dependency exemptions can be requested for adopted children even
when the adopted child has been placed in the home but the adoption has
not been finalized. Please note that the adoption of your spouse's child
does not fall in this category of Qualified Adoption Expenses.

Additional information can be found in IRS Publication 968 *Tax Benefits
for Adoption; For Adoptive Parents* and in Tax Topic 607, *Adoption Tax*

*Credits*. For assistance regarding adoption claims, contact the IRS at:

> Internal Revenue Service
>
> 500 North Capitol St., NW
>
> Washington, D.C. 20221
>
> Tel: (202) 622-5000 / (800) 829-1040
>
> For forms and publications, Tel: (800) 829-3676
>
> Web site: [http://www.irs.treas.gov](http://www.irs.treas.gov/)

**Wills**

To ensure that your wishes regarding inheritance are carried out, it is
recommended that adoptive parent(s) clearly state in wills and life
insurance policies that the adopted child is to be treated as an heir by
stating:

*"When I use the term 'child,' 'issue' or 'lineal descendent,' it is
meant to include adopted persons or persons adopted before the age of
twenty-one."*

Include also the name of the person who you wish to act as guardian over
the child if anything happens to you.

# Chapter 8 

# Human Resources Procedures

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) provides information on
adoption benefits in their publication, *Adoption Benefits Guide for
Federal Employees*. You can access the publication on the OPM Web site
at <http://www.opm.gov/wrkfam/html/adoption.htm>.

## Adoption-Related Leave 

**Can I take time off to be with my newly adopted child?**

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 provides for eligible employees
to have up to twelve weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain
family and medical reasons. Included in this provision is the care of a
child after an adoptive placement.

Under the provisions of Public Law 103-329, and 5 CFR 630, employees are
permitted to use sick leave in connection with the adoption of a child.
The granting of sick leave for adoption of a child includes:
appointments with adoption agencies, social workers, and attorneys;
court proceedings; required travel; and any other activities necessary
in the adoption process. Application for reasons of adoption should be
submitted in advance.

## Travel Orders

**When can the child be put on my orders?**

An adopted child cannot be added to your orders until the adoption is
finalized.If the country grants legal guardianship pending a formal
adoption, then the child can be added to your orders at that time. To
add the child to your orders, you must send a translated copy of the
adoption papers, along with a copy of your residency and dependency
report (OF126), to the Human Resources Office of your USG agency. (For
instance, Department of State employees send this information to their
Career Development Officer in HR.)

**Can a layette shipment be requested?**

The adoptive parent(s) can request a separate and distinct layette
shipment no later than 60 days after the child has been adopted, to be
included in the travel orders. Airfreight shipment weight may not exceed
250 pounds gross. If post has determined suitable layettes are not
available locally, request an amendment to your travel orders to include
a layette shipment. The layette shipment can be authorized for a newly
adopted child, infancy to 5 years of age.

**What happens if we transfer before the adoption is final?**

If the adoption is not finalized and you are due for transfer, the
travel expense of the child will have to be carried by the prospective
adoptive parent(s), or you can request a pay agreement whereby you agree
to reimburse the government for the child's travel.

**Who pays for travel if the child is adopted from a third country?**

If the child is born in and adopted in the host country, departure
travel will be issued only after the child is officially included in the
orders. If, on the other hand, the child is born in a third country and
is adopted from that country, travel orders can only be issued for the
child to join the family members at post. Travel to pick-up and to
return with the child to the residence of the family, if the family is
at post, is at the expense of the adoptive parents.

## Health Insurance

-   Make certain (in writing) that your health insurance company will
    Provide coverage for your adopted child.

-   Inquire whether the policy will cover the pre-existing conditions of
    your adopted child.

-   Verify whether the health coverage will begin with placement or with
    the finalization of the adoption process

-   If coverage begins only at the time of finalization of the adoption,
    investigate whether you can purchase an interim policy that covers
    the child from the time of placement.

-   Check the "length of waiting period" required before coverage for
    the child is effective.

-   Inquire about the procedures and paperwork necessary to include the
    adopted child on your health care policy.

-   Check when coverage under MED overseas begins and if the child is
    eligible for Medevac status.

**NOTES**

# Chapter 9 

# Resources 

## Department of State Offices

**Office of Children's Issues (CA/OCS/CI)**

*The Office of Children's Issues provides information about intercountry
adoption, general information about U.S. visa requirements for
intercountry adoption, makes inquiries of the U.S. consular section
abroad regarding the status of a specific adoption case and clarifies
documentation or other requirements, and ensures that U.S. citizens are
not discriminated against by foreign authorities or courts.*

> **Office of Children's Issues**
>
> Overseas Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs
>
> U.S. Department of State
>
> 2201 C Street, N.W., SA-29, 4th Floor
>
> Washington, DC 20520-2818
>
> Public Inquiries: 888-407-4747
>
> FAX: 202-736-9080
>
> Internet Web site: <http://www.travel.state.gov/adopt.html>
>
> Intranet Web site:
> <http://intranet.ca.state.gov/cainternet/adopt.html>

**U.S. Embassies and Consulates**

<http://usembassy.state.gov/>

**Family Liaison Office (M/DGHR/FLO)**

*The Family Liaison Office provides resource information for Foreign
Service employees and families wishing to adopt.*

> Room 1239
>
> Department of State
>
> Washington, DC 20520_7512
>
> Tel: 202-647-1076, 1-800-440-0397
>
> FAX: 202-647-1670
>
> Email: <flo@state.gov>
>
> Internet Web site: <http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo>
>
> Intranet Web site: <http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/flo/index.html>

**Employee Consultation Service (ECS)**

*The Employee Consultation Service offers free, confidential counseling
with professional clinical social workers. Counselors are available to
clearly define problems and consider options to solve and better cope
with them.*

> Room H246, SA-1
>
> 2401 E Street, N.W.
>
> Washington, DC 20037
>
> Tel: 202-663-1815
>
> FAX: 202-663-1454
>
> Email: <MEDECS@state.gov>

**LifeCare Services**

*Several federal agencies have purchased the services of LifeCare, a
resource and referral service for employees. LifeCare can provide
adoption resource information in the United States for employees whose
agencies have bought into the program. Check with your agency to see if
the LifeCare service is part of your benefit package. Department of
State employees have the services of LifeCare through IQ: Information
Quest. DOS employees can access IQ: Information Quest at
[http://www.worklife4you.com](http://www.worklife4you.com/).*

> LifeCare, Inc
>
> PO Box 2783
>
> Westport, CT 06880
>
> Tel: 1-800-873-4636
>
> Email: <specialist@lifecare.com>
>
> Web site: [http://www.lifecare.com](http://www.lifecare.com/)

## Department of Homeland Security

**U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)**

Public Inquiries/Ask Immigration: 1-800-375-5289

USCIS Forms: 1-800-870-FORM (3676)

Web: [www.USCIS.gov](http://www.USCIS.gov/)

**\
USCIS Overseas Offices**
<https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=OS>

**USCIS Domestic Office**

<https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=LO>

## County Government Offices

**Montgomery County Department of Social Services**

Child Welfare Services Division

1301 Piccard Drive

4^th^ Floor

Rockville, MD 20850

Tel: 240 777 3500

**Fairfax County Family Services**

12011 Government Center Parkway

Suite 200

Fairfax, VA 22035

Tel: 703 324 7639

**District of Columbia Child and Family Service Administration**

400 6th Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20024

Tel: 202-671-5683

## Adoption Resource Organizations

*Adoption resource organizations can provide assistance with
pre-decision counseling and post-adoptive seminars. While not adoption
agencies, they offer support service information and help at each stage
of the adoption process.*

**International Social Service-United States of America Branch, Inc.**

(For information on how to obtain certification of a home study report
for use by USCIS)

207 East Redwood Street, Suite 300

Baltimore, MD 21202

Tel: 443 451.1200\
Fax: 443 451-1220

Email: <iss-usa@iss-usa.org>

**Adoption Resource Center of Connecticut, Inc.**

78 Eastern Boulevard

Glastonbury, CT 06033

Tel: 860 657-2626

Web site: [www.arcct.org](http://www.arcct.org/)

**Joint Council on International Children's Services**

1320 19th Street, N.W.

Suite 200

Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202) 429-0499

Fax: (202) 429-0410

Web: [www.jcics.org](http://www.jcics.org/)

**National Council for Adoption**

225 N. Washington, Street

Alexandria, VA 22314-2571

Tel: 703 299-6633

Fax: 703 299-6004

Web: [www.adoptioncouncil.org](http://www.adoptioncouncil.org/)

**The Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE)**

*A resource center for children and families. CASE programs, designed to
help*

*adoptive parents and children, include the Adoptive Parent Connection,
weekend*

*seminars, conferences, individual and family counseling, and
consultation*

*regarding school programs.*

> **Maryland Office**
>
> 4000 Blackburn Lane
>
> Suite 260
>
> Burtonsville, MD 20866
>
> Tel: 301 476- 8525
>
> Email:[caseadopt@adoptionsupport.org]{.underline}
>
> Web: [www.adoptionsupport.org](http://www.adoptionsupport.org/)
>
> **Virginia Office**
>
> 8996 Burke Lake Road
>
> Suite 201
>
> Burke, VA 22015
>
> Tel: 703 425 3703
>
> Email:[caseadopt@adoptionsupport.org]{.underline}
>
> Web: [www.adoptionsupport.org](http://www.adoptionsupport.org/)

**Child Welfare Information Gateway**

*(formerly the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse)*

*A comprehensive information clearinghouse covering all aspects of
adoption. Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of the
Children's Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families,
Administration for Children and Families, and the Department of Health
and Human Services.*

1250 Maryland Avenue, S.W.

8th Floor

Washington, DC 20024

Tel: 1-800-394-3366

Fax: 703-385-3206

Email: <info@childwelfare.gov>

Web site: [http://www.childwelfare.gov](http://www.childwelfare.gov/)

**Notes**