International Adoption in New Mexico
As a private domestic adoption agency, American Adoptions helps families who wish to adopt strictly within the United States. However, it’s important to us that you have accurate and reliable information about any type of adoption you wish to pursue. With that in mind, then, we’ve gathered some information for those families who might be interested in pursuing an international adoption in New Mexico.
The NM International Adoption Process
If you are considering pursuing an intercountry adoption in New Mexico, you can expect the general process to go something like this:
Step 1: Choose the country you want to adopt from. Because different agencies specialize in completing international adoptions from different countries, it’s important that you pick one or a few potential countries to adopt from at the beginning of the process. You’ll want to consider different eligibility requirements in different countries as well as what you’re looking for in an adoption situation. Costs are different in different locations, too.
Step 2: Choose a New Mexico international adoption agency. After you’ve decided which country you want to adopt from, it’ll be time to choose an international adoption agency in New Mexico. According to the International Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012, any agency you research should be Hague-accredited. This means that they’re in compliance with the Hague Adoption Convention, which is an international treaty that exists to protect children in international adoptions. Your adoption professional should then help you to complete a home study and go through the necessary steps to complete an intercountry adoption in New Mexico.
Step 3: Apply for your own adoption eligibility. You will not be allowed to adopt overseas until the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approves your eligibility. If the country you wish to adopt from is a member of the Hague Convention, you’ll fill out Form I-800A . If the country is not, you’ll file Form I-600A.
Step 4: Find an adoption opportunity. After both the U.S. and the country you’re adopting from have granted your eligibility, it will be time to find your adoption match. You may wait for an adoption referral before traveling or travel to the country before being matched with the child, depending on the country you adopt from.
Step 5: Apply for your child’s adoption eligibility. After you’ve gone to meet your child, you’ll have to ensure that he or she is allowed to immigrate back to the United States. The form you filed previously with the USCIS will dictate whether you file Form I-800 or Form I-600. After that has been approved, you’ll file the DS-260 to apply for your child’s visa.
Step 6: Get your child’s immigrant visa. You will receive one of the following kinds of visas:
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The IH-3 (Hague) or IR-3 (non-Hague) visa. You’ll receive this if both you and your spouse were present to complete the child’s adoption, and this means the adoption was finalized in your child’s native country.
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The IH-4 or IR-4 visa. If only one of the adoptive parents was present or the adoption was not completed in the child’s home country, you’ll receive this visa. You must finalize your child’s adoption within the United States if you receive either of these types of visas.
What is re-adoption?
If you received either the IH-4 or IR-4 visa for your child, it will be necessary for you to finalize your child’s adoption upon returning to the United States as it was not completed in his or her home country. However, we recommend that you always finalize your child’s adoption upon returning to the United States. Even if it was finalized in the foreign country, you should do so again in the United States to ensure that he or she is guaranteed the same rights and privileges as a U.S. citizen. This process is known as international re-adoption.
New Mexico International Adoption Agencies
To learn more about New Mexico international adoptions, contact any of the following agencies:
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.