Sometimes folks ask about the process of international adoption, so I've compiled some of the steps below. It is important to have a good agency to walk you through each step, but it is not for the faint of heart or paper phobic (as I recently told a friend).
1. Decide upon international adoption, agency, and country. (China, CCAI)
2. Apply to the agency (8 pages) and sign agreements.
3. Compile the dossier.
a. Write adoption petition.
b. Order birth and marriage certificates.
c. Have employer(s) verify employment or write non-employment verification.
d. Write financial statement.
e. Complete physicals (and lab work) and have physicians fill out form.
f. Obtain police clearances.
g. Complete Home Study.
h. Obtain I-171H from Immigration (see below).
i. Apply for and copy passport.
j. Have family photos taken.
4. Have documents notarized, certified (Secretary of State), and authenticated (Chinese Consulate)
5. Apply to Immigration/Homeland Security
a. File the I-600A.
b. Drive to regional immigration office for fingerprinting
c. Send copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates.
d. Send home study when completed.
e. Repeat process as necessary until travel is complete.
6. Agency translates and sends dossier to China. China logs in your dossier. China reviews your dossier and approves you to adopt.
7. China either matches you to an orphan or, if you have told your agency you would like to receive a waiting child match (as we did), you are presented a child you may decide to adopt.
8. Letter of Acceptance, or if in waiting child program, homestudy update and addendum to adoption petition (notarized, certified, and authenticated) followed by letter of acceptance.
9. Apply for visa after you receive travel approval from China.
10. Travel. There is more paperwork ahead in China as the adoption is officially approved and finalized in the province, and the child receives his/her passport and certificate of citizenship from the Embassy in China.
11. Home Study updates are due twice more after returning home.
Homecoming
