Terms Thousands of children who live overseas in foreign orphanages need families. About 9,500 children from other countries were adopted by U.S. citizens in 1991, part of a trend that is likely to continue. International adoptions are rapidly changing and so are the rules. U.S. citizens can adopt children from Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and other countries. Currently, most of the adopted children come from Korea and other Asian countries.
International adoptions are complicated to arrange.
It's important to work with someone, whether it's an agency, group or individual, who is ethical and experienced. If you would like to adopt a child from another country, you must have a home study of your family. In most cases, the adoption agency or person who is helping you will also assist you in finding a child who needs a family.