Steps In The Process
An Overview Of The Steps In The International Adoption Process
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The International Adoption Process
To begin the international adoption processs, we encourage you to complete our Pre-Application. It is available online and is a free and simple way to get started. You are also welcome to call us at 516-747-2204, and we are available for an orientation at our main office or online
Once you’re ready to proceed, complete and submit the Adoptive Family Profile (AFP) or the Kafala Family Profile (KFP) for Morocco and Pakistan. If you are pursuing the adoption of a known child, you will use the AFP-IC form.
After your profile is approved, you will receive the Adoption Service Agreement. Our current fee disclosures are available online for your review.
Assignment
Once your dossier is approved, the foreign agency can consider you for a referral. This process may take several months.
When a match is identified, New Beginnings will present the child’s background study. This includes photographs, medical reports, developmental assessments, and any available social history. We encourage families to consult with an independent physician for review. If concerns arise, we will request additional information on your behalf.
Post Adoption/Placement Supervision
Once home, you’ll begin post-adoption or post-placement supervision, depending on the country.
- Post-adoption supervision applies when the adoption is finalized abroad (e.g., Korea).
- Post-placement supervision applies when you have guardianship and will finalize the adoption in the U.S. (e.g., Morocco, Thailand, Pakistan, Jamaica).
Post-placement supervision typically lasts six months. In Korea, post-adoption supervision usually continues for over a year.
Home Study
The home study is an essential step in the International Adoption Process to evaluate a family’s readiness for adoption. You’ll submit required documents, including background clearances, medical reports, financial statements, and references. Parents must also complete training. There are several online training courses available. New Beginnings will provide detailed instructions and forms.
Once your documents and training are complete, a social worker will conduct your home visits and prepare the home study report. The report is submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for pre-adoption approval, I-600A or I-800A. The home study report, USCIS approval, and supporting documents are your dossier, which is submitted to the child’s country of origin for review.
Bringing Your Child Home
After accepting the referral, you will travel to complete the legal process and bring your child home. Depending on the country, the legal process may involve guardianship of the child (e.g., Morocco, Thailand, Pakistan, Jamaica) or adoption (e.g., Korea).
New Beginnings or our partners will assist in submitting the child’s legal documents to USCIS for immigration approval (I-600 or I-800). Once approved, you may return home.
Families should anticipate an adjustment period as the child and parents settle into new routines. Empathy and patience make the transition a meaningful beginning to family life together.
Estimating Length Of Time
Timelines: From Home Study to Placement
Estimated timeframes from home study approval to placement:
- Morocco: 9–15 months (families must be open to children over 18 months old)
- Thailand: 15–24 months
- Korea: Timeline currently unknown due to program changes
- Pakistan: Typically under 12 months, but variable
- Jamaica: 12–18 months
Travel durations:
- Morocco: 6–8 weeks
- Korea: Two trips, 7–10 days each, spaced 4–5 weeks apart
- Thailand: 17–20 days
- Pakistan: one or two trips; time in-country is 4–6 months
- Jamaica: Two trips, 1–2 weeks each
If you have questions on the Steps in the International Adoption Process, please call us at 516-747-2204.
Adoption Tips
Budgeting for International Adoption
When you’ve made the decision to adopt, put together a financial plan before you begin the process. Adoptions come with the standard agency, legal and home study fees, but for international adoptions, there are additional travel, visa expenses and a fee to the foreign agency to consider.
Honoring Your Adopted Child’s Heritage and Culture
The culture and heritage of your adopted child are vital elements to think about in preparation for an adoptive placement. By embracing your child’s heritage and culture, you will bring a new and exciting dimension to your family life. Your child will benefit by fostering pride and respect for his or her country of origin and its rich traditions.
Why Does your Adopted Child Need a Certificate of Citizenship?
For families who have completed the adoption process and are home with their new child, filing more paperwork is often at the bottom of their list of things to do. Fortunately, many international adoptions now result in a Certificate of Citizenship (COC) being issued...