INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTIONS

American citizens are seeking to adopt children in ever increasing numbers. Over 20,000 inter-country adoptions are taking place per year in addition to the more than 200,000 foreign-adopted children already living in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of State do provide extensive information about the adoption processes in various countries and the U.S. legal requirements to bring a child adopted abroad to the United States.

International adoption is essentially a private legal matter between a private individual (or couple) who wishes to adopt, and a foreign court, which operates under that country's laws and regulations. U.S. authorities cannot intervene on behalf of prospective parents with the courts in the country where the adoption takes place.

Prospective adoptive parents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with inter-country adoption processes before they begin filing applications for a particular child. A good place to start is with the booklet,   The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adopted Children.

Also, you can find some helpful information on how to proceed with an adoption in a particular country by clicking in the following link: http://www.travel.state.gov/family/adoption/country/country_369.html

However, you might note that obtaining the services of a qualified immigration attorney in cases as complicated as these is advisable.  If you need a priliminary consultations on immigration through adoption issues, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

E-mail: Maria@Docoutoimmigrationlaw.com
Our California Office Contact:

Immigration Law Office of Maria DoCouto - Main Office

Hollister Professional Park
5276 Hollister Avenue, Suite 157
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Phone: 805-729-1074
Fax: 805-832-6272