International Adoption in Ohio [Intercountry Adoption in 7 Steps]
If domestic adoption isn’t for you because your heart is set on giving a child abroad a loving home, international adoption in Ohio is the path for you.
International adoption — or intercountry adoption — is the process of adopting a child from a different country and raising them in the United States. American Adoptions is a domestic infant adoption agency and does not specialize in international adoptions, but we know international adoption in Ohio can be a beautiful way to start your family. If you feel that intercountry adoption is what’s best for you and your family, we’ve created this guide to help you find the perfect international adoption agency in Ohio.
If you want the experience of being able to hold your baby in your arms after they’re born and bring them home from the hospital, domestic adoption could be for you. If this is the case, American Adoptions has you covered.
To get more information on domestic adoption in Ohio, get support online. And to learn how international adoption in Ohio works, keep reading.
The International Adoption Process in Ohio
Step 1. Choose the Country you want to Adopt From
To get started with your international adoption in Ohio, you’ll need to decide which country you’ll be adopting from, if you have a preference. There are certain factors that could affect your international adoption process, like:
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Your chosen country’s politics
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Adoption laws
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Whether or not they’re a member of the Hague Convention
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Travel bans
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And more
When considering international adoption in Ohio, you’ll have to take into account that international adoption costs will vary depending on which country you are adopting from.
It’s vital, when adopting a child from another country, that you always make sure to affirm their race and culture throughout their life. Educate yourself on your child’s racial and cultural heritage and the unique challenges of raising a transracial family. You should instill a sense of identity and pride in who they are and their home country.
Step 2. Choose an International Adoption Agency in Ohio
While American Adoptions does not provide international adoption services, there are many reputable international adoption agencies in Ohio that do.
International adoption agencies are certified to complete adoptions with specific countries. Not all agencies will be licensed to perform adoptions in the same countries, so be sure to do your research and don’t hesitate to reach out to them directly to determine if they are authorized for adoption in the country you want to adopt from. It’s also recommended to adopt from a country that is Hague accredited to ensure that your adoption is safe and ethical.
International adoption in Ohio is a wonderful way to add some extra joy to your family and give a child the gift of a loving family. Before choosing an international adoption agency in Ohio, be sure to do your research and ensure they have what you’re looking for. If you’d like a list of potential Ohio international adoption agencies to consider, we’ve listed several later on in this guide.
Step. 3 Complete an International Adoption Home Study
No matter which country you choose to adopt from, you will need to complete an international adoption home study before your adoption can be finalized. Your home study must meet the requirements of the Hague Convention. If you choose a home study professional who is not associated with your agency, your international adoption agency in Ohio will want to review the home study professional you have chosen.
International home studies have most of the same requirements that domestic adoption home studies do such as:
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Background checks
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Financial documents
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Health records
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Reference letters from family and friends
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Interviews
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Home-visits
Your home study professional will be able to prepare you for your home study and answer any questions you may have.
Step 4. Get Approved for International Adoption in Ohio
In addition to your international home study, you’ll need to be approved for international adoption in Ohio by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If the country you are adopting from is a part of the Hague Convention, you will need to fill out a Form-1800A in addition to other informational documents you completed during your home study. If you are deemed eligible, this will be valid for 15 months.
If the country you are adopting from is not a member of the Hague Convention, you will fill out a Form-1-600A if you haven’t been matched with a child yet, as well as applicable documents needed for your home study. Eligibility to adopt from a non-Hague Convention country is valid for up to 18 months.
Once the USCIS has approved you for international adoption in Ohio, your adoption professional will send your completed forms and necessary documents to the adoption agency in the country you are adopting from for review. Upon reviewing your documents they then decide if you are eligible to adopt based on their country’s adoption laws.
Step 5. File for the Child to Become Eligible for Adoption
Just as you were made eligible for international adoption in Ohio, you will need to do the same for your intended child, so that they can be confirmed for adoption and immigration. The documents you will need to fill out will depend on your situation:
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Form 1-800 if you’re adopting from a country in the Hague Convention
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Form 1-600 if you’re adopting from a country that is not in the Hague Convention
Once your child’s immigration and adoption status has been approved, you’ll need to fill out Form DS-260 to file for a U.S. Visa for your child so they can immigrate to the U.S. Once the sending country has reviewed and approved this form, your baby will able to immigrate to the United States!
Step 6. Obtain Travel Visas to Bring Your Child Home
There’s no way to know for sure how long you will be staying in your child’s home country, but you should plan for anywhere between one week to a month so that you can fill out your adoption and visa application.
Once the adoption has been finalized in the sending country, you will be granted a travel visa so that you and your child can return home. Once you’ve brought your child home, you will be able to apply for an amended birth certificate and a Social Security Card. You’re almost done with your international adoption in Ohio!
Step 7. Re-Adoption and Adoption Finalization
Even though you have completed the adoption in your child’s home country, you’ll need to finalize the international adoption in Ohio or apply for re-adoption. Which process you’ll go through will depend on the type of visa your child received.
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Adoption finalization if your child received an IH-4 or IR-4
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Re-Adoption if your child received an IH-3 or IR-3
If you do not finalize the adoption or re-adopt, this could lead to legal issues. By finalizing the adoption or Re-Adopting your child, you will secure their rights as a U.S. citizen and ensure that both countries have approved of the adoption. Now your little one is a legal and permanent member of your family!
International Adoption Agencies in Ohio
Working with the right adoption professional throughout your international adoption in Ohio can ensure that you have a positive adoption experience. While the Ohio international adoption process can seem overwhelming at first (when you factor in complying with state, federal and international adoption laws), your adoption professional will be able walk you through all of this to ensure all of your bases are covered.
There are many wonderful international adoption agencies in Ohio that you can learn more about below:
Next Steps
To get started with your international adoption in Ohio, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the international adoption agencies listed above, or do your own research to find the right agency for you. If you’re on the fence about what kind of adoption is right for you and your family, you can get more information about domestic adoption online.
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.