When initiating the adoption process, select an agency that has a solid reputation for developing professional, ethical and reliable child adoption and assistance programs. Parents adopting internationally often feel frustrated that they have so little control. A reputable agency strives to work with the family and child placement authority as a team toward placement of a child into a loving home. The profile of families who may adopt varies from country to country and program to program. Guidelines are set by the government or the authorized agency in the country or state and may include criteria such as marital status, length of marriage, age, number of children in family, ethnicity, income and religious beliefs.
Most adoptions take about one year to process, but some can take as little as seven months.
The length of the adoption process varies depending on the program and country. The amount of money in these funds fluctuates greatly, however, and families should not assume that assistance will be available at any given time. These companies provide a range of benefits, including financial support, referral help and extended unpaid leave. The children's needs are great, and there is much you can do to help. Families, institutions and businesses can provide donations and in-kind contributions.