How to Adopt a Korean Baby

Verify that you have met the basic requirements to adopt from South Korea. Couples must have been married at least three years, with only two divorces between them. No single parents may adopt. Neither the husband or wife can be older than 45, and children will not be given to families with four or more children already at home. One or both parents must also be prepared to travel to Korea if necessary.

Find a U.S.-based adoption agency that specializes in Korean adoptions. Internet research is helpful in selecting an agency. Korea requires that the adoption agency is authorized to place adopted children in the parent's state of residence. Before selecting an agency, make sure it has answered all your questions, provided a list of fees for each service and been honest about how long the process will take and what is involved. Check the agency's license and accreditation through the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse. Request references of families to discuss their experience with the agency.

Determine whether you have the time and the financial resources to adopt a Korean baby. The waiting time for a Korean adoption is about 24 months, and the fees could reach more than $20,000. These fees include those charged by the adoption agency for the home study, dossier and document processing; obtaining the proper legal documents; postage and medical exams.The cost will be more for an infant because babies and younger children tend to be more in demand. Travel expenses will also add additional cost if the couple decides to travel to Korea to pick up the child. Fees might be reduced if the adoptive parents choose a baby with certain types of medical conditions.

Complete an adoption application. Depending on the agency, this can be submitted online or mailed directly to the agency. A fee ranging from $200 to $400 might also be required. If a couple has filed an adoption application with the same agency before, the agency might waive the fee.

Complete and file a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services I-600A form. A pre-approval is required in the United States in order to bring an adopted child into the country. Several items must accompany the form, including proof of citizenship, two sets of fingerprints for each parent and copies of a marriage certificate, divorce decree or death certificate (for those who were previously married). A fee of $720 is required at the time the application is filed. An additional $85 will be charged to fingerprint every person older than 18 who is living in the house.

Select individuals to serve as references. Those chosen will write a letter describing the couple as parents. Ideally, these individuals should not be family members, but should know the couple personally. Some of these references will also be asked to complete a more in-depth interview either on the telephone or in person.

Schedule a home study after the application has been approved. A social worker will visit the home to explain the adoption process in more detail and determine if the home and family situation is suitable for the adopted child. The worker will ask what kind of child the couple wants and if they would consider children with certain medical conditions, and will also collect documents including birth certificates, a marriage license, employment and income verification, proof of health and life insurance and copies of a public health and fire safety inspections. Documentation requirements vary among states. The adoption agency will provide a list of the necessary documentation prior to the home study. Both parents and any children living at home will also be interviewed.

Wait for a referral from the adoption agency. This could take up to one year depending if a gender was specified. Although boys and girls can be adopted from South Korea, boys tend to be more readily available for international adoptions. If a couple is open to a child with special needs, the wait could be shorter. Upon acceptance of a referral, parents will receive a short history and photo of a child. Developmental and medical reports will also be included.

Complete additional paperwork. This will include a Korean Affidavit of Support, which proves the family has the income to care for a child; the Statement of Adoption, used in conjunction with a passport and the Korean Statement of Acceptance. For children with special needs, a Statement of Acceptance of Child with Special Medical Problems will also have to be completed.

Complete and file a second USCIS I-600 form. This must be done after the appropriate legal papers have been received for the child. A certificate of acknowledgment from the American Embassy, a family register, a certificate of appointment to guardian of minor orphan in orphanage, a state of consent to overseas adoption and a copy of the child's birth certificate must be included with this form. The adoptive child will also need to have a blood test, a physical and a travel certificate before being allowed into the country.

Complete final adoption paperwork. After receiving the child, a short waiting period is usually required. After all requirements have been satisfied, the adoption agency will issue a "Consent to Adoption," allowing the final adoption to take place.