Intercountry adoption means adopting a child from another nation. Compared to domestic adoption, there’s often less background information available about the child or their birth family. It’s also important to note that infants are rare in international adoption, and most children have some level of special need.
While timelines and costs are somewhat similar to U.S. domestic adoption, international adoptions often take longer and can cost significantly more.
Additionally, it remains difficult or impossible for single or LGBTQ+ individuals to adopt from many countries.
This chapter offers an overview of the key factors to consider when pursuing international adoption.
Intercountry adoptions have declined sharply since their peak in 2005–2006, while domestic adoptions from foster care have increased in the same period.
This drop is due to several factors:
Political decisions (e.g., Russia banning U.S. adoptions).
Ethical concerns, such as trafficking allegations in Guatemala.
Policy shifts, including China ending its one-child policy.
Increased domestic adoption programs in countries like Korea.
Today, the vast majority of intercountry adoptions to the U.S. come from just eight nations: China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nigeria, South Korea, and Ukraine.
While overall numbers are down, adoptions from India, Colombia, and Nigeria have risen in recent years, even as those from China, Russia, and Guatemala have plummeted.
Costs differ widely depending on the country and length of required stay. For instance, South Korea mandates extended in-country visits, which raises total expenses.
Overall, international adoption fees can be significantly higher than domestic adoption when travel, lodging, and legal expenses are factored in.
Each country has its own adoption procedures. The process is simplified for nations part of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, which helps ensure ethical, standardized practices.
In some cases, adoption is finalized abroad; in others, it’s completed after returning to the U.S.
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) oversees all intercountry adoptions. Key requirements include:
The adoptive parent must be a U.S. citizen.
Unmarried individuals must be at least 25 years old.
For married couples, only one spouse must be a U.S. citizen.
Visa, passport, and citizenship procedures vary by country, so it’s essential to work with a reputable agency and experienced adoption attorney.
Most internationally adopted children are ages 1–4, with very few infants available. In 2003, nearly half were under 1 year old — today, that number is in single digits.
Many have lived in institutions or orphanages, leading to developmental or emotional challenges. Access to medical evaluation and early intervention is key to supporting these children.
Studies comparing institutionalized children with those raised in families show delays in motor skills and coordination, though outcomes vary depending on age and duration of institutional care.
A survey of 1,000 adoptive parents found that nearly 50% of children had special needs — and over one-third of parents discovered these only after adoption.
The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption protects children’s rights and ensures adoptions are ethical and transparent. Its main goals are to:
Prevent abduction, trafficking, and exploitation.
Encourage domestic placement when possible.
Standardize international adoption processes.
Prospective parents must use a Hague-accredited agency, which manages all required documentation and communication with the child’s country of origin.
Roughly 84% of intercountry adoptions are transracial, with most adoptive parents being white and most children coming from nonwhite or mixed-heritage countries.
Parenting a child of another race or culture requires intentional cultural connection and racial awareness, as covered in our earlier lesson on transracial adoption.
Each country defines its own eligibility rules. Only a small number allow single adults to adopt, and even fewer permit LGBTQ+ individuals or couples.
For alternatives, see our lessons on domestic adoption, foster care, and fertility options for single and LGBTQ+ parents.
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