International Adoption
We would love to help you with your international adoption! The international adoption process can vary greatly depending upon the country you choose. We are happy to assist you in determining which country is best for you by discussing the risks in adoption, charactersitics of each country program, and your own expectations. International adoption can be a long process with much paperwork; it can be confusing and can change without notice. It is our job to make the experience as easy as possible for you. Throughout the process you will work closely with our team and your program director.
We have adoption programs in Bulgaria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Samoa, and Ukraine. There are children with Special Needs who need famlies in every adoption program we offer. We also offer home study, adoption preparation education, adoption document assistance and readoption legal services for all countries. We continue to research and develop adoption programs in new countries as well.
The following is a general overview of the international adoption process:
- Complete Interest Form for additional information
- Free Initial Informational Seminar
- Submit application, signed agreements, and Initial payment
- Home Study
- Adoption Preparation Education
- Immigration Step 1
- Dossier consultation
- Submit dossier to MLJ
- Authentication and translation of dossier
- Receive referral and process of acceptance of referral
- In-country legal process
- Immigration Step 2
- Receive Travel Guide and travel consultation
- Travel and return home with your child(ren)
- Complete Readoption/Acceptance of Foreign Adoption paperwork
- Complete Post Adoption Reports
- Utilize Support Services and MLJ events
International adoption is a complex process involving several areas of law and many goernmental and non-governmental entities, both foreign and domestic. The various regulations and entities coupled with culutral and linguistic barriers can cause risks during the international adoption process. There are risks of delays, risks that the laws could change in your pocess, financial risks, risks related to referred children, amongst others. As an adoption agency it is part of our job to not only inform prospective adoptive parents of these risks, but also to do our part to minimize these risks for MLJ families, to the extent that we can. Executive Director of MLJ Adoptions, Inc., Michele L. Jackson, JD, discusses these risks in the video below. We want you to be fully informed to the best extent possible, so please feel free to contact us with any question regarding the adoption process generally or the risks involved. Our team is more than happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Country information is to be considered general information and subject to change. The information is based upon state, federal, foreign, and international law, as well as our own business policies.