International Adoption in Maryland
If you're considering adoption in Maryland but are interested in adopting from another country, international adoption might be for you.
While American Adoptions does not facilitate international adoptions, you can reach out to an adoption specialist to get the information you need.
Because there are hundreds of countries to adopt from, the Maryland international adoption process can actually vary widely. The country you end up choosing to adopt from will dictate much of your experience with adoption overseas.
To help you understand the general logistics of international adoptions in Maryland, however, we’ve compiled a basic guide to help you prepare to adopt abroad.
How to Adopt a Child From Another Country
Step 1: Choose a country to adopt from.
International adoption agencies in Maryland and throughout the United States specialize in completing international adoptions from different countries, so you have to choose which locations interest you before you begin contacting professionals to learn how to adopt a child from another country. Keep in mind, too, that different countries have different costs and requirements associated with adoption.
Step 2: Choose from the Maryland international adoption agencies.
After you know which countries to adopt from interest you, it will be time to choose an adoption agency. You should consider only professionals who are Hague-accredited, which means they have complied with the International Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012.
Step 3: Apply for adoption eligibility for yourself.
You will need to apply for adoption eligibility with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you adopt from a Hague country, you’ll file Form I-800A. If not, you’ll file I-600A.
Step 4: Wait for an adoption match.
After you’ve been cleared for adoption by both the U.S. and the country you adopt from, you’ll enter the waiting period for an adoption opportunity. Some countries prefer that couples wait in the United States until an adoption match has been found, while others have you travel to the country and match with a child there.
Step 5: Apply for adoption eligibility for your child.
After you’ve traveled to bring your child home, you’ll need to apply for their immigration eligibility back to the United Sates. For Hague countries, you’ll file Form I-800. For non-Hague countries, you’ll file Form I-600. Once you receive the go-ahead for your child to immigrate, you’ll file form DS-260 to get your child’s visa. If both parents were present for the adoption in the foreign country, you’ll receive either an IH-3 visa (Hague) or an IR-3 visa (non-Hague). If only one parent was present in the foreign country or the adoption wasn’t finalized in the child’s native country, you’ll receive either an IH-4 (Hague) or an IR-4 (non-Hague) visa.
Step 6: Finalize the adoption in the United States.
Even if an international adoption was finalized in a foreign country, it is important that you finalize it again upon returning home. See below to learn more about re-adoption.
What is re-adoption, and when is it necessary?
Re-adoption is finalizing your child’s adoption again upon returning to the United States. Of course, if the adoption was not finalized in your child’s home country, then you will have to finalize it upon arrival at home. However, it is recommended that you always finalize an international adoption in the United States, even when the adoption process was legally completed in another country. This is to ensure that your child is an official U.S. citizen and receives all the rights and privileges that come with that.
Maryland International Adoption Agencies
As a private domestic adoption agency, American Adoptions only completes adoptions that occur within the United States. However, for those families interested in adopting internationally in Maryland, you can contact any of the following agencies:
If you're ready to begin your international adoption journey today, reach out to an adoption specialist today.
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.