UNICEF currently estimates that there are approximately 15 million orphans available for adoption worldwide. Intercountry adoption is a unique way that families can pursue expanding their family by means of adoption. Illini Christian Ministries provides home study services for families pursuing an intercountry adoption. The process of intercountry adoption can be lengthy and quite intricate. The ICM staff is here to assist families in navigating the process of intercountry adoption. During the intercountry adoption process, the adoptive family will work with several entities, including their home study agency, placement agency, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and foreign governments and organizations. ICM works cooperatively with these entities to ensure that the adoption process is navigated as smoothly as possible.
Criteria for Intercountry Home Study Services
- Residents in the state of Illinois
- At least 21 years old
- Married couples must have been married for at least two years
- Income must exceed 125% of the federal poverty guideline
- Individuals adopting internationally must also the criteria set by the foreign government
The Intercountry Adoption Process
- Determine the country from which you will be pursuing an adoption
- Identify the placement agency you will use, and also the home study agency you will use, and apply to both
- Complete the home study process
- Apply to Immigration Services for approval to adopt a child internationally
- Complete your dossier
- Once approval from Immigration Services is received, submit your dossier, and wait for the referral of your child
- The number of trips you will take to the foreign country will depend on the requirements of the country from which you are adopting
- Bring your child home!
- Complete the post adoption requirements
Note that this is a summary of the main steps in the adoption process… This is not a comprehensive list of the entire process. The adoption process is largely determined by the placement agency, Immigration Services, and the country from which the child is being adopted.
When considering intercountry adoption, there are many countries from which an adoptive family may adopt. Each country determines its own adoption laws and regulations, in addition to the requirements for families adopting. For additional information regarding the different countries available for intercountry adoption, and the requirements of each foreign country, please visit the United States Department of State website by clicking here. The following list is a synopsis of the countries from which the most adoptions occurred in 2016:
- China: 2,231 children adopted
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: 359 children adopted
- Ukraine: 303 children adopted
- South Korea: 260 children adopted
- Bulgaria: 201 children adopted
- India: 194 children adopted
- Uganda: 187 children adopted
- Ethiopia: 183 children adopted
- Haiti: 178 children adopted
- Philippines: 156 children adopted
- Colombia: 131 children adopted
- Nigeria: 121 children adopted
- Poland: 98 children adopted
- Latvia: 81 children adopted
- Taiwan: 59 children adopted