Notwithstanding the fact that  at Adoption Pros operating in the United States and assist mostly United States citizens, we are also equipped with knowledge and experience necessary to assist Canadian and European families with their international adoption needs.  We approach international adoption as a 4-phased process. Completion of these phases is necessary regardless of your residence or citizenship. Phases 1, 2, and 3 must be done under the adoption and immigration laws of the country where you live. Phase 4 involves completion of your adoption under the laws of the country of your intended adoption.

These phases are as follows:

(1) Home study phase.  Find out what agency, social services department, or institution in your country is responsible for completing home studies for families who wish to adopt internationally.  Initiate a home study process (sometimes called a "family assessment" or "evaluation"). It can be done by a private or government agency. If your home study is done by a private agency licensed to do home studies, the license of that agency needs to be provided for your international dossier. If the home study is done by the government agency, the license is not required.

(2) Immigration application.  You have to obtain your country's immigration approval for you to be able to bring your newly adopted child into your country.  Immigration approval can be issued by a court, or your country's embassy, or by the immigration authorities in your country.  Immigration approval is part of your international dossier. Apply for the immigration approval in your country according to your country’s requirements.  The information can be also obtained from your home study agency.

(3) Choose international facilitator (agency, consultant, and/or attorney).  Once your domestic adoption process in the country of your residence is completed (home study is finalized and immigration approval is obtained), connect with a facilitator/mediator to guide you through the international part of your adoption.  Keep in mind that “guiding” you through the process is not the same as “processing” or “finalizing” your adoption.  In most countries, only government officials, such as departments of social services, may “process” adoptions.  You facilitator will direct you in the labyrinth of paperwork and red tape, assist you with the dossier instructions, translation, shipment, etc.,  connect you with foreign attorneys, coordinators, translators, etc. , while the foreign government representatives will work on the legalities of your adoption and processing it from A to Z according to the requirements of the country of your child.  Your facilitator will stand with you as a partner in your adoption to make sure everything is done correctly and with minimal delay or difficulty.

(4) Adoption Completion. Finalize your adoption abroad in the country of your choice. In most cases this requires your personal appearance in the court.  If you choose Adoption Pros as your facilitator, we will make sure that your adoption goes smoothly and without delays.

We advocate that steps 1, 2, and 3 be initiated concurrently as it will save time in the process.

Requirements for British families:  http://www.dfes.gov.uk/intercountryadoption/countries.shtml

Requirements for Canadian families:  http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/adopt-1.html

Requirements for Italian families:   http://www.commissioneadozioni.it/?guid=65ae0ddd-5fd5-406d-8564-5bd8196fe6f0

Requirements for Malta families: Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity. E-mail:  welfare.standards@gov.mt