Much of the other information should be contained in the agency's printed material or in letters addressed to you. If the answers to your questions appear to be contradictory, vague, or unrealistic, or if the agency requests large sums of money before services are rendered, beware. Some may have requirements about religion, marital status, age, number of current children, and ethnic heritage. Remember each country and its laws are different. Sometimes even regions within a country will have different adoption laws and procedures.
Delays can and do occur in international adoption.
Therefore, an agency's reliance on such words such as 'fast' and 'guaranteed' should be seen as danger signs. Honest answers usually contain a range from best case to more problematic case scenarios. A referral made early in the application process may pose additional risk that a particular child will not be available at the time foreign approval has been obtained. Most ethical agencies do not ask for large payments before services are rendered. Fee payments are then scheduled as the adoption progresses with the bulk of money due just before or at the time a child is actually placed.