International Adoption in Idaho
As a domestic adoption agency, American Adoptions does not work to complete international adoptions in Idaho. However, we’re passionate about making sure you have access to accurate and unbiased adoption information, no matter how you choose to grow your family. If you’re interested in pursuing an international adoption in Idaho, please use the following guide to help you learn about the steps you’ll need to take.
If you want more information about private domestic infant adoption, you can reach out to us today through our free online form.
The Idaho International Adoption Process
If you and your family are thinking about completing an intercountry adoption in Idaho, you can expect the process to go more or less like this:
Step 1: Choose a country to adopt from. Different international adoption agencies in Idaho specialize in completing adoptions in different countries, so the first step in the international adoption process is to narrow down your ideal countries to adopt from. Different countries have different eligibility requirements as well as different costs, so you’ll want to consider those aspects before making a decision.
Step 2: Choose an Idaho international adoption agency to work with. Once you know the country (or countries) you’re interested in adopting from, it’ll be time to select an agency to help you do it. You’ll want to work only with agencies that are Hague-accredited, according to the International Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012. All agencies should be in compliance with the Hague Adoption Convention, an international treaty that serves to protect kids adopted internationally. Once you’ve chosen an agency, your social worker will help you to complete the next steps for an intercountry adoption in Idaho.
Step 3: Apply for your eligibility to adopt. Before you can adopt, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must approve your eligibility. For Hague countries, you’ll fill out Form I-800A. For countries who aren’t compliant with the Hague Convention, you’ll file Form I-600A.
Step 4: Find an adoption match. Once your adoption eligibility has been granted, both from the U.S. and the country you choose to adopt from, it’ll be time to match with your child. Depending on where you adopt from, you may wait for a referral before traveling, or you may travel to the country to be matched with a child.
Step 5: Apply for your child’s eligibility to immigrate to the U.S. Before you travel back to the U.S. with your child, you’ll need to make sur he or she is eligible to immigrate back. You’ll file either Form I-800 or Form I-600 , depending on what you filed previously. Once that has been approved, you’ll apply for your child’s visa using Form DS-260
Step 6: Receive your child’s immigrant visa. This will be one of two kinds:
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If you and your spouse (if applicable) were both present for the child’s adoption, you’ll receive the IH-3 (Hague) or the IR-3 (non-Hague) visa. This means the adoption was finalized.
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If only one adoptive parent was present or the adoption was not finalized, you’ll receive the IH-4 or IR-4 visa. This means your child’s adoption is not finalized and that you must do so upon return to the United States.
What is re-adoption?
As we said above, if you received the IH-4 or IR-4 visa, you’ll be required to finalize his or her adoption within the United States. However, we recommend doing so even if you received the IH-3 or the IR-3. Even if your child’s adoption was finalized in his or her native country, you should always re-adopt, or finalize it again, within the United States. This process is called international re-adoption and serves to ensure that your baby has the same rights and privileges as every other U.S. citizen.
Idaho International Adoption Agencies
To learn more about international adoption in Idaho or to begin the process, contact any of the following:
If you are debating pursuing a domestic or an international adoption, please contact American Adoptions at 1-800-ADOPTION.
Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.