Preparing to Bring Your Child into the United States
Finally being matched with a child and having that child designated as yours are only the first steps in building your family. The more you can do to deal with administrative matters ahead of time, the more quickly you will be able to adjust to one another once you're under the same roof.
First, you must make sure that you've taken care of all the paperwork involved, for the United States as well as your adoptive country. Your agency or facilitator will guide you through the process, which includes your dossier, home study, and background check, all of which must be translated. Once you've been cleared by the particular country, you must deal with United States immigration. You must have physically seen the child yourself before you can petition the government to have her classified as an “immediate relative” and acquire her Visa (if you adopt from South Korea, where you need not travel prior to placement, this designation can be made after the child arrives). You will be required to appear with her at the embassy or consular office for an interview. She will also have to be examined by a physician approved by the embassy.
Even if the adoption is finalized in your child's original country, you must readopt him in your state court to make it legal in the United States. A most helpful Web site,
Your child cannot come into the country until the proper paperwork has been processed by the Department of Homeland Security. You will need an attorney to help you with this process — your agency may provide one.
When you first meet your child or first take custody of her, you will want to make sure she is healthy. Make a list of needs that should be assessed: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and cultural. The American Academy of Pediatrics can help you find a pediatrician who specializes in adoption, and who can then refer you to therapists, social workers, and so on, if needed, in your area. See
Most adoption specialists recommend that you have your child assessed before you consent to the adoption. That means finding a pediatrician who has experience in doing an assessment from photos or video taken while you are with the prospective adoptive child. While you might be comfortable adopting a child with a disability, special needs, or chronic illness, it is always a good idea to have that information up front so that you know exactly what you are agreeing to.
