Depending on which country you choose, your search for a child can be relatively short and simple or very complicated, lengthy, and even heart-breaking. Because you will be dealing with a foreign country and government that does things in a completely different way, you may find the process to be sometimes confusing and or frustrating. That is partly why a good agency is so important; they will intercede for you and explain to you exactly what to expect so you don't feel so left in the dark.

Your agency will prepare you for exactly what steps you will need to take while completing your adoption. Many foreign governments do not function like the U.S. government; they run on completely different principles, and you should not expect that anything will be fair, swift, or clear. There is nothing you can do to change these processes, so you must simply be prepared to cope with them. In some countries, you can expect to have to bribe some officials, endure long waits, deal with last-minute changes in requirements, or jump through many hoops. A good agency will have someone to help you through every step of the process.