Adoption
International Adoption
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we/I have to be Catholic to adopt through Catholic Charities?Does Catholic Charities do international adoption?
Why work with Catholic Charities and a child-placing program?
Does Catholic Charities have its own international program?
Are there special requirements or age limits?
Is it necessary to travel in all international adoptions?
Is it possible to adopt more than one child at a time?
Are international adoptions successful?
Do we/I have to be Catholic to adopt through Catholic Charities?
Members of any faith or denomination are welcome to adopt through Catholic Charities. We require only that prospective parent(s) have a sense of spirituality and be active participants in some organized religion. Catholic Charities believes that the healthy development of children requires attention to their physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth.Does Catholic Charities do international adoptions?
Yes. Catholic Charities provides homestudies for individuals and couples who have chosen to pursue an international adoption. During the homestudy process, Catholic Charities assists the individual/couple to identify a placing agency with a program in the country of their choice and then works conjointly with that agency to complete the adoption. We also have our own international adoption program in Poland.Why work with Catholic Charities and a child-placing program?
Your Catholic Charities social worker provides education and support to you throughout the entire adoption process. We help you to understand the requirements different countries have for adoptive parents and to identify an appropriate placing agency with a program in the country of your choice. Catholic Charities has worked with an extensive number of agencies from across the country and can assist you with your decision. We perform the required homestudy and provide it to your placing agency. After you have returned home with your child, Catholic Charities provides services and support, including any post-placement supervision reports, updates and pictures, as required by the country of your child’s birth.Does Catholic Charities have its own international program?
No. Our Catholic Charities Adoption Program, however, has excellent professional relationships with dozens of international programs throughout the United States.Are there special requirements or age limits?
Each country has its own requirements in regard to age, marital status, previous marriages, other children, travel, and stay. Your Catholic Charities social worker will discuss these requirements with you. In addition, all families adopting iinternationally must file with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) to gain approval for a foreign born child to legally enter the U.S.Is it necessary to travel in all international adoptions?
Most countries require you travel there at least once. You may choose to stay the entire length of time necessary to complete the adoption or you may prefer to travel twice. If you choose to have your child(ren) escorted by someone else, then the adoption must be finalized in the United States.How long does it take?
As with all adoptions, it is impossible to accurately predict the length of time it will take. The average time is one to two years to complete an international adoption.How much does it cost?
The cost of international adoption depends on the fee of the placing agency/resource you have chosen. Fees usually range between $15,000 and $30,000 depending on the country, length of stay, and the time of year you are travelling. The fee for a homestudy by Catholic Charities is $1,500. Fees for post-placement visits and reports are $200 per child for an office visit and $250 per child for a visit in the home.What is a homestudy?
A homestudy is an important first step in the adoption process, and it is required by law. The homestudy is a report on the adoptive parent(s)/family and is compiled after a series of interviews both in the offices of Catholic Charities and in the home of the adoptive family. The homestudy process is generally completed within a few months. Many topics are discussed during the homestudy, including your family history, education, parenting skills, and relationships. Your social worker also addresses your thoughts about adopting a child from a different culture, as well your questions, concerns and expectations.Is it possible to adopt more than one child at a time?
In some cases yes, especially if they are part of a sibling group. In some countries you are able to adopt from the same orphanage or two different orphanages.Are the children healthy?
People considering international adoption need to be aware of the possibility of developmental delays and adjustment issues with children from other countries. There are resources available to assist you in assessing and addressing the present and future needs of your adopted child.Are health records available?
In most cases you receive minimal medical history and/or medical/social information at the time of referral of a child for your home.Are international adoptions successful?
Yes. There are an ever-increasing number of successful international adoptions. Catholic Charities can help you to network with others who have adopted internationally and with excellent support groups and resources within your area.
