Frequently asked questions:

Adopting a Child From Another Country

What is the process for adopting a child from another country?
As a first step, you will take part in a Home Study interview process. This includes interviews, a home visit, paperwork, and assessments that are required by the U.S. government. Bethany staff will help you to know what is expected along the way.

Each country also has specific requirements that families must follow to create a dossier of paperwork. Bethany has pictures and information on hundreds of waiting children from other countries. These children are in need of a permanent home and a family to love them unconditionally.

What are waiting children?
At Bethany, we consider waiting children to be those who do not have a permanent family and are legally available for adoption. Waiting children’s ages range from infants to 15 years old. They may be:

• Part of a sibling group.
• Dealing with past abuse, neglect, or trauma.
• Living with physical, medical, or developmental challenges.

What is the waiting child program at Bethany?
Bethany is dedicated to finding permanent, loving families for children.  We seek to match families with children based on the child’s needs and the prospective family’s strengths.  Information on waiting children is shared with us through the countries we serve in the hope of finding forever families. Each year, we are able to help many waiting children join their permanent families.

Where can I get information about waiting children?
You can begin by completing the International Preliminary Application. You are not obliged to proceed after submitting this application. When Bethany has approved your application, you will gain access to pictures and information about the waiting children that Bethany serves.

Can I request a specific child?
Bethany adoption specialists will contact you to discuss your interests. Each country has different requirements about when a child can be matched with a family. Some children are listed with other agencies, so Bethany staff may need to ensure that the child is still available for adoption.

How long does it take to adopt a waiting child?
The international waiting child adoption process may move more quickly than the standard international adoption process. Your family will need to complete all of the country’s adoption requirements, including an approved Home Study and a dossier for most countries. There are many factors that come into play, and Bethany staff can guide you along the way.

Can single people adopt a waiting child?
Single women may be eligible to adopt from Hong Kong, Colombia, Philippines, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Russia.

Is our family right for international adoption?

Your Bethany adoption specialist can talk with you about how a child could be welcomed into your family. Our trained staff have experience walking alongside families and we can connect you with other families who have adopted internationally through Bethany. These families can be a great resource to you.

Can we meet the needs of the child?
Each waiting child comes with different needs, which range from minor to significant. We recommend that you research the specific needs of the child to learn as much as you can. Bethany staff can help you understand issues that are common in international adoption, such as institutionalization, bonding and attachment, and developmental delays.

What kind of support will Bethany give us?
Bethany supports families through offering and helping families complete 30 hours of training for international adoption. Bethany believes that adoption is a lifelong process. Throughout this process, we will be here to help you. Your Bethany adoption specialist can provide support through training, resources, and connecting you with other adoptive parents and support groups specific to your child’s needs.

Is there financial assistance for adopting a waiting child?
Because of our generous donors, Bethany is able to heavily offset adoption costs. There are several options for further assistance:  

• Bethany’s Caring Connection
• Grants Through Other Organizations
• Adoption Loan Programs
• Federal Adoption Tax Credit
• State Tax Credits
• Employer Assistance

See our Financing Adoption Resource Guide for more information.