How Do I Adopt a Child in a Third World Country?

Adopting a child from a third-world country, like all adoptions, begins with an application to determine eligibility. Prospective parents must be fingerprinted and submit to a background check. They must also comply with U.S. federal laws, laws of the child̵7;s country, and the laws of the parents' home state. Americans adopted 12,753 children from third-world countries in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of State.

  1. Preferences

    • "There are a number of countries that work with U.S. couples hoping to adopt, so identifying which country works best for your family is usually the first step you would take when moving forward," according to the Department of State. You'll also want to identify preferences with regard to age, gender and ethnic background as well as whether you are willing to adopt a child with special needs or not.

    Availability

    • "Children are available from more than fifty countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and some African countries," according to Adoption.com. The most popular countries are China, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Korea, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Liberia, Columbia, India and Vietnam.

    Regulations

    • Irregularities in third-world countries create a need for regulations that attempt to curb corruption in adoption practices. "The accreditation regulations also work to ensure that your adoption service provider operates using ethical practices," says the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism. It suggests making sure the adoption agency has appropriate credentials, a governing board, financial reserves, insurance and training for employees.

    Warning

    • "Choosing a qualified adoption service provider is a very important part of the adoption process," says the U.S. Department of State. It's important to avoid countries that have suspended adoptions, cannot process adoptions in the United States or do not comply with the Hague Adoption Convention.

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