International adoption (intercountry adoption) is the process of adopting a child from another country and bringing them to the United States as your legal child and a US citizen. The process is governed by the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption (for Hague Convention countries) and by the Immigration and Nationality Act (for non-Hague countries).
17 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Process
- Research and Choose a Country
- Different countries have different eligibility requirements, available children, and timelines
- Consider: your family's age, marital status, number of existing children, health, and criminal history — countries have varying restrictions
- Research whether the country is a Hague Convention partner (100+ countries) or non-Hague
- Check the US State Department's intercountry adoption page for country-specific information and alerts
- Select an Adoption Service Provider (ASP)
- For Hague Convention countries, you must use a Hague-accredited or approved adoption agency
- Research agencies carefully: check accreditation, track record, reviews, and complaint history
- The ASP will guide you through the process and handle communication with the foreign country
- Complete the Home Study
2. Key Details
- Cost: $25,000-$60,000+ (agency fees, home study, USCIS fees, travel, foreign court costs, translation, document authentication)
- Timeline: 2-5 years from start to finalization (varies dramatically by country)
- Hague Convention: An international treaty protecting children, birth parents, and adoptive parents; the US has been party since 2008
- Critical rule: Do NOT adopt or obtain custody BEFORE USCIS approves your I-800A and I-800 — out-of-order adoptions violate the Convention and may prevent the child from getting a visa
- Age limit: The child must be under 16 at the time Form I-800 is filed (under 18 for siblings)
- USCIS fees: I-800A filing fee is $775; biometrics fee is $85 per person
- Federal adoption tax credit: Applies to international adoption (approximately $16,810 per child)
Common Mistakes
- Choosing a country without understanding its specific eligibility requirement...
- Completing the adoption before USCIS approval (violates the Hague Convention ...
- Not using a Hague-accredited agency for Hague Convention countries (required ...
- Underestimating the total cost and timeline
- Not having the child's medical records reviewed by an international adoption ...
Pro Tips
- Have the child's medical records reviewed by a pediatrician specializing in i...
- Build a relationship with families who have adopted from the same country — t...
- Budget for unexpected costs: additional trips, extended stays, document re-au...
- Start the process well in advance — international adoption timelines are unpr...
- Learn about your child's culture and plan to incorporate it into their upbrin...