International vs. Domestic Adoption

When it comes to choosing between domestic or international adoption, there are many factors to consider. Although each process will allow you to grow your family through adoption, there are many differences between domestic and international adoption, including cost, wait time, legal concerns and other factors.

Cost

Many couples are often overwhelmed by the cost when they begin looking into adoption. There are many factors that contribute to the cost of an adoption, including the cost of the necessary legal work, advertising fees, travel expenses, etc.

Both domestic and international adoptions have their own unique costs. For example, couples adopting domestically will not have to worry about the cost of a visa, which couples adopting internationally much budget for. Likewise, couples adopting domestically may be asked to provide some living expenses for the expectant mother, such as help with rent or utility payments, an expense that is not typically seen in international adoptions.

According to the National Council for Adoption, domestic and intercountry adoptions can cost $8,000-$40,000, typically falling in the $15,000-$25,000 range. Couples adopting internationally should also be prepared to travel to the country they are adopting from for a period that could range from a few days to several weeks. Multiple visits may also be necessary. Couples contemplating international adoption should carefully research the travel requirements for the countries they are considering adopting from.

Waiting Time

The time a couple waits to receive the placement of a child also depends on many factors. Domestic wait times vary widely, depending on the agency, attorney or other adoption professional used.

International adoptions also vary, as each country has their own adoption regulations and standards. While some countries may offer a quicker, more streamlined process, others may take much longer. Couples interested in adopting internationally should carefully research all country requirements and adoption programs to gain a full understanding of how long the adoption process will take in the country of their choice.

Children

While domestic and international adoption can be very similar in cost and wait time, the children typically available for adoption can vary greatly.

Children of all ages are available for adoption in the U.S. The National Council for Adoption estimates that there are approximately 25,000 U.S.-born children placed for adoption each year. The number of children adopted internationally is very similar to those adopted domestically. The U.S. Department of State reported 20,679 immigrant visas issued to orphans entering the U.S. in 2006.

Legal Concerns

Domestic and international adoptions also have their own unique legal concerns.

Couples adopting internationally should fully research the adoption process required by each country. Each country has its own set of legal mandates governing adoption that must be met before the adoption is finalized. For example, two DNA tests are required by Guatemala to ensure the child is being placed for adoption by their biological mother, an effort to curb the widely growing problem of illegal adoption practices and child smuggling.

One very large legal concern in domestic adoption is the myth that the child's biological parents may come back years later and take the child back. This is also a common argument against open and semi-open adoptions, as many people are lead to believe that contact with the birth parents will lead to the birth parents' desire to revoke their consent, even after the adoption is finalized. For this reason, many couples believe that international adoptions are "safer," due to the fact that there is routinely no contact with the birth parents in international adoptions prior to and after the completion of the adoption.

The fact is that once an adoption is finalized by the U.S. courts, the adoptive family is recognized as the child's family by law. Although adoption laws vary state to state, the laws remain very clear. Despite sensationalized media stories in a few high-profile cases, post-adoption revocations are extremely rare and are usually a result of illegal or unsound legal practices.

When it comes to choosing between international and domestic adoption, there are many factors to consider. Couples should do their best to fully research each of these adoption avenues and then weigh their options. Whether it is domestic or international, couples should choose an adoption plan that not only meets their adoption desires, but is also one that they are fully comfortable with.