How Does International Adoption Work?
Thank you for your interest in Adoption By Choice’s International Adoption Program.
International adoptions are extremely complex and difficult to arrange as they must meet the legal requirements of Alberta’s Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, Canada’s Federal Immigration and Refugee Act, Canada’s Citizenship Act, the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption and finally, legislation in the child’s country of origin.
All international adoptions must be considered special needs adoptions. We have developed a comprehensive program to help you understand:
- the process for adopting internationally
- awareness of the children available for adoption
- the unique needs of these children
- that medical, developmental, behavioural or emotional problems may not be known about the child at the time of the adoption match
It is vital that you understand this information in order to maximize the success of your adoption plan. We have developed a self-guided study book which enables you to work through the complexities of international adoption at your own pace. Completion of the self-guided study book fulfills the requirements of the Parent Preparation Training which is a mandatory part of the approval process. The self-guided study book will ask you to reflect on a number of issues and those issues will be discussed further as you proceed with the home assessment process. There is also an expectation that prior to the completion of the home assessment report you will have had the opportunity to meet with other families who are pursuing international adoption and families who have come together through international adoption. An excellent resource is IAFA, the International Adoption Families Association (www.iafa.ca).
We will be there for you, before, during and after you have come home from overseas. Although we have offices in Calgary and Edmonton, we have trained professional social workers across the Province who have developed a reputation for their caring and professional approach to adoption services. Families applying to adopt a child from another country must follow these steps in order to be considered for international adoption:
1. AUTHORIZATION:
Complete the Alberta Children's Services International Adoption Application form (CS2777-2004/11). This form may be obtained at http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/documents/adoption/CS2777i.pdf or by contacting our office(s). Once completed this form should be forwarded to Adoption and Permanency Services in Edmonton. The address is included on the form.
2. APPLICATION:
Complete ABC’s application package below and send all of the documents, with applicable fees, to ABC.
3. PARENT PREPARATION TRAINING:
Complete the ABC’s Parent Preparation Training, which is in the form of a self-guided study book is available through ABC’s offices in Calgary or Edmonton.
4. COUNTRY REQUIREMENTS:
We can supply you with up-to-date information on those countries that have agreements with Canada (Ward International). When you have decided on the country of your choice, you need to find out what that country requires of you. We can provide you with a list of coordinators working with different countries. Coordinators ensure that your documents are in order, organize your trip, and communicate with officials in the other country on your behalf. They will charge a fee for that service. You will find the IAFA to be a reliable source of up-to-date information on many countries. For a private international adoption, you will have to do your own information gathering.
5. HOME ASSESSMENT REPORT:
After you have completed our Self-Guided Study Book and the necessary paperwork, we will commence the home assessment process. When it is complete it will be sent to Alberta Children's Services in Edmonton for review and approval.
6. DOSSIER PREPARATION:
ABC can provide you will assistance in compiling your dossier.
7. IMMIGRATION:
You will need to apply to Immigration Canada fairly early in the process to sponsor your child and to obtain a landed immigrant's visa.
8. ADOPTION MATCHING REFERRAL:
A Matching Referral will be presented to you by ABC (except for private international adoption), this information will usually include: a photo of the child, vital statistics and any available medical information. You will have the opportunity to review this information with a social worker and are welcome to consult with a physician or pediatrician. Once you have made a decision regarding the referral, you must complete the Acceptance or Decline Notice with the assistance of ABC, who will then forward it to Adoption and Permanency Services.
9. POST PLACEMENT REPORT(S):
We know that support after placement is very important, and usually the worker who prepared your home assessment report will be available to visit with you upon your return home and complete the required post placement report(s).
10. FINALIZATION:
A small number of countries will require you to finalize the adoption in Canada. ABC can provide this service to you. We look forward to working with you, and would be pleased to hear from you with any questions or concerns you might have or if you would like to meet to discuss this information.
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