Ethiopia
1. Preliminary / Formal Application
Both applications must be completed before you can formally begin your Ethiopia adoption. The
preliminary application is available on Bethany’s website, and the formal application is sent to you by your local Bethany branch once the preliminary application has been approved. Bethany’s Ethiopia team must approve both applications.
2. Adoptive Home Study
The Home Study is completed by a social worker from your local Bethany branch. Four documented meetings are required for submission of a dossier to Ethiopia.
3. Dossier Gathering / Authentication
Several documents must be gathered, notarized, and state-sealed for your Ethiopia dossier. More information will be provided to you by your Bethany social worker once you formally enter the program. Once the dossier is submitted, the Ethiopia team in Grand Rapids, MI, will review your dossier and submit it for authentication. The entire dossier must be authenticated before it can be sent to Ethiopia.
4. Dossier Review / Authenticated
Once your dossier is reviewed and authenticated, it will be sent to Ethiopia. After its arrival in Ethiopia, further authentication and translation is required.
5. Referral / Travel
Referral and travel times are subject to change during your adoption process. The current time frame is 12 to18 months for a referral of a younger child, and varies for an older child. Travel typically occurs between 2 and 4 months after you receive a referral. During that time, court processing and approval by the Ministry in Ethiopia occurs.
6. Post-Placement Reports
Once you return from Ethiopia with your new child, your social worker will contact you about setting up a post-placement meeting. Four post-placements are required after the child is placed in your home. Reports are due at the following times: arrival, 3 months, 6 months, and the final report is due at 12 months. After the first year, the Ethiopian government requests that informal post-adoption reports be written and submitted by the family annually until the child(ren) reaches the age of fifteen (15). Bethany will forward these reports to Ethiopia. Six good quality photos are required with each report, including close-ups of the child(ren).
For more information on Bethany's Ethiopia program, please call 1.877.64.ADOPT, or email
bcsinternational@bethany.org.