As a private domestic adoption agency, American Adoptions does not work to complete international adoptions in North Dakota — or in any other state. However, we’re passionate about making sure people have accurate and reliable information about adoption no matter which kind they pursue, and we know it can be difficult to find the right resources by state. To this end, we’ve compiled the following guide to help families interested in pursuing intercountry adoptions in North Dakota.

The North Dakota International Adoption Process

Because every adoption situation is different, every adoption process will look slightly different. This is especially true of intercountry adoptions in North Dakota, where so many variables can affect the process, but typically you can expect it to go something like this:

Step 1: Choose a country to adopt from. Different countries have different rules and regulations, so determining which country or countries you’re interested in is an important first step. Different agencies specialize in completing international adoptions from different countries, so this is something you’ll need to do even before choosing an adoption professional. At this point, think about your preferences. Do you care how old your child is or what gender? Note that different countries have different eligibility requirements as well as costs, so keep this in mind when developing a potential list of countries to adopt from.

Step 2: Choose an international adoption agency in North Dakota. Once you’ve selected a country to adopt from, it’ll be time to find an adoption agency. In accordance with the International Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012, you should only consider professionals who are Hague-accredited, or compliant with the Hague Adoption Convention. The Hague Convention is an international treaty that was enacted to protect children adopted across international borders. Your adoption agency will help you to navigate the rest of the international adoption process in North Dakota.

Step 3: Apply for your own adoption eligibility. Before you can travel to adopt overseas, you must be granted eligibility by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Services. If you choose to adopt from country that’s a member of the Hague Convention, you’ll fill out Form I-800A. If not, you’ll file Form I-600A.

Step 4: Find an adoption match. Once you’ve been granted adoption eligibility from both the United States and the country you want to adopt from, you’ll be ready to find an adoption opportunity. Depending on the foreign country, you may receive your adoption referral before traveling, or you may go to the country before being matched with your child.

Step 5: Apply for your child’s adoption eligibility. After you have gone to meet your child, you’ll have to apply for his or her immigration eligibility to the United States. This will involve filing either Form I-800 or Form I-600. Once that’s been approved, you’ll file the DS-260  to apply for your child’s immigration visa.

Step 6: Receive your child’s visa. If both parents were in the foreign country to complete the adoption, you’ll receive either the IH-3 (Hague) or IR-3 (non-Hague) visa. If not, or if the adoption wasn’t finalized in the child’s native country, you’ll receive the IH-4 or IR-4 visa. Please note that if you receive the IH-4 or IR-4 visa, your child’s adoption is not finalized. You must do so upon returning to the United States.

What is re-adoption?

As we said above, you’ll have to finalize your child’s adoption in the United States if you received either the IH-4 or IR-4 visa. However, you should always finalize your child’s adoption upon returning home regardless of the type of visa you receive. This is called re-adopting, and it ensures that your child will have the same rights and privileges as any other citizen of the United States.

North Dakota International Adoption Agencies

As a resident of North Dakota, you might consider contacting one of the following agencies to help you adopt internationally:

• Wide Horizons for Children
• All God’s Children International
• Bethany Christian Services
• Holt International

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.