International Adoption International Adoption Fact Sheet International Adoption Is a process whereby Nova Scotian families may adopt a child or children from another country. Criteria for eligibility for applicants are also established by the child's country of origin and may vary from country to country. The children may range in age from infants up to 18 years of age.
International adoption includes the adoption of both related and unrelated children.
Adoption homestudies are required in all international adoptions. Homestudies are completed by private practitioners authorized by the Department of Community Services. The list of private practitioners will be provided to you after you have submitted your application to the local children's services agency and an initial screening of your application has been completed by the agency. The costs associated with International Adoption include a fee for service for the processing of an application by the local children's services agency and for the completion of the homestudy by an authorized private practitioner. In addition, for example, there are costs associated with translation and notarization of documents, registration fees in country of child's origin, legal fees, immigration fees, travel and medical for the child.