The  Adoption Process    

   I.  SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION    

The adoption process begins with an application  to Compassionate Care. Our many years of international adoption experience assures you of a successful adoption.  Send  your Application for Adoption to Compassionate Care along with the required non-refundable application fee of $300.  

The application is used as our preliminary screening of the applicants.  The screening process tells us whether the applicants are eligible to adopt, and what type of child is desired.  It allows us to do the background checks required by state and federal laws and regulations.

 

   II.  SUBMIT YOUR  APPLICATION TO THE  UNITED STATES   
CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION SERVICE (USCIS)

Apply to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services for approval as international adoptive parents.   Everyone bringing a child into the United States for the purposes of adoption must file an I-600 petition- a "Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative." This petition is filed through the United States Citizen and  Immigration Services (USCIS). To speed the USCIS paperwork process, you may begin with the "Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition" (I-600-A) with the USCIS before you have identified a specific child. USCIS has offices throughout the United States. The USCIS office in Indiana is located at  950 N Meridian St Room 400 Indianapolis IN  46204; 317-226-6181 ext 246. 

You can download forms from their Web Site  or call the USCIS forms line at 800-870-3676.   Feel free to contact us either by phone or  by EMAIL  if you have any questions. 

The USCIS filing fee is $525 per application. You will also need to send with your application $70 per person who resides in your household 18 years of age and older for FBI fingerprinting. (i.e. a couple wanting to adopt one child would need to send a cashiers check in the amount of $665)  You must send a cashier's check or money order to the USCIS; they will not accept a personal check or cash.

You must also send certified copies of your birth certificates, passports, marriage license and,  if applicable,  divorce decree(s).

USCIS approval to bring a foreign born adopted child into the U.S. is mandatory.  Once you are approved,  the USCIS will send you a form called the I-171H and  notify the Consulate in the country you are adopting  from.

   HOME STUDY  

Select a state licensed home study agency to begin your international home study.  If you live within the State of Indiana, Compassionate Care will be able to prepare your home study for you.  If you live outside of Indiana you will need to make arrangements with a state certified social worker that is licensed by your state.  If you are unable to locate anyone in your area, please call us at 800-749-4153 and we will assist you  in finding an agency.

Once prospective adoptive parents apply to adopt a child (whether they apply to an agency, an attorney or facilitator, or directly to the court in an independent adoption), the laws of all 50 States and the District of Columbia require that the applicants undergo a "home study." This process involves education and preparation as well as the gathering of information about the prospective parents. 

The home study is a report prepared by a social worker affiliated with a licensed adoption agency.  The social worker will assess the family and reach a conclusion about the family's preparedness and fitness to parent an adopted child.  A state certified social worker will visit your home in person. 

A positive home study recommending the family for adoption is required by USCIS and by all foreign countries.  

Each social worker approaches his/her task differently, but he/she commonly will require documentation such as tax returns, employment verifications, medical forms, financial reviews, birth certificates, marriage license, criminal history checks,  letters of personal reference etc. 

    PASSPORTS  

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of 6,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.

Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.

You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time; if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; or if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you are under 16 your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost of stolen.

Click here to find the passport office nearest you.

   DOSSIER  

Begin preparation of your dossier.  Each country requires certain documents to be prepared and sent by each prospective family before a child can be adopted.  These documents are known as a "dossier"  (pronounced doss-e-a).

Completing your dossier may seem a bit overwhelming at first but our staff will  assist you each and every step of the way.  As part of our continuing commitment  to you, we will  assist you in collecting all the  necessary documents for your dossier and  then send them to the appropriate agencies to be authenticated and translated.

Foreign countries  will not accept your dossier documents without first being authenticated.  (The purpose of authentication is to verify for foreign governments that a public official  is in good standing)   

The authentication process begins by obtaining the seal of a U.S. notary public (and in some states the notary seal must also be authenticated by  the clerk of the court in the county where the notary is licensed). .The documents must then be authenticated by your state's Secretary of State.

After the Department of State has authenticated the documents, the  Embassy or Consulate of the country you are adopting from and  having jurisdiction over the region where you live must authenticate the documents. 

Your dossier will also need to be translated into the language of the country you are adopting from before it is considered for approval.

   SELECT A CHILD  

Selection of your child - The process of selection of a child  varies by country. In most countries the selection process begins by preparing a dossier which is then sent to the country you choose. The country then refers a child to you. You may accept the child, or decline and request another referral. Compassionate  Care  will work with you to find the right child for your family.

   TRAVEL  

Travel - Travel arrangements vary by country. In each country the agency has experienced, bilingual representatives to meet you and accompany you through your adoption process. Accommodations and ground transportation will be arranged for your convenience. Comfortable accommodations are available in each country. Each step of your adoption will be prearranged to assure a successful adoption.