Adopting Domestic versus International

Domestic child adoption and international child adoption are different not just based on where the child comes from.  The processes are totally different and require totally different paper work, costs, and risks.  This page, and the links below, help to explain some of the differences in the processes and laws involved in domestic and international child adoption.

In a domestic child adoption you will adopt a child who is a citizen of the same country of which you are a citizen.  For United States citizens, this means adopting a baby or child who is also a U.S. citizen. Due to hearing horror stories about domestic child adoption many adopting persons look into international adoption.  Most of these horror stories are the rare exceptions, or are distortions, or have been the result of a private, as opposed to an agency, adoption.  Families should also check domestic adoption agencies as part of their process in deciding to adopt internationally. 

In an international adoption, the birth mother and her child and the adopting family live in different countries. As is the case with a domestic child adoption, the adoption process has its own unique potential problems and concerns.  An international adoption must meet the requirements of the state, U.S. and foreign governments, and the Hague Convention. Make sure to educate yourself about international adoption and look carefully at the adoption agency you select. 

For additional information about domestic and international child adoption visit this website's links domestic adoption and international adoption and also visit links domestic child adoption and international child adoption.