International Adoption

How Does International Adoption Work?

Thank you for your interest in Adoption By Choice’s International Adoption Program.

International adoptions are complex 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
the unique needs of the children available for adoption - that medical, developmental, behavioural or emotional problems may not be known about the child at the time of the adoption match

FOUR TYPES OF INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS POSSIBLE IN ALBERTA

Private International Adoption

Is the process when:

Child’s country has not implemented The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.
Adoption is finalized in child’s country as it cannot be finalized in Alberta, unless permanent residency status is obtained for the child by the parents. Note: Immigration Regulations require that a permanent resident visa be obtained before the child enters Canada.
Child is not in government care.
Child’s country does not have an adoption process with Alberta.

Government Adoption for Non-Hague Countries

Is the process when:

Child is in government care or in care of a licensed adoption agency authorized by government.
There is an adoption process established between the child’s country and Alberta.
The child’s country processes the adoption through government channels or through licensed agencies.

Hague Convention Adoption

Governments of the sending and receiving jurisdictions must be fully involved in all aspects of the adoption process through the designated Central Authorities.

Must be the process when:

The child’s country has implemented The Hague Convention.

Relative Adoption

It is possible to adopt a relative child from many countries, though the process is the similar to private international adoption.
If the child is in a Hague Convention country, you must determine if it is possible for you to adopt a relative child
A home study and Relative Adoption Training are required by Alberta Adoption Services
The adoption is finalized in child’s country as it cannot be finalized in Alberta, unless permanent residency status is obtained for the child by the parents. Note: Immigration Regulations require that a permanent resident visa be obtained before the child enters Canada.
Child is not in government care.

What ABC Provides To You:

Although Adoption By Choice does not actually ‘facilitate’ international placements, we are a resource for you and we can help you in many ways as you travel down the winding road towards building your family through adoption. Our mandate is to:

educate prospective adoptive parents
complete a home study report, specific to the child’s country of origin
provide our recommendations to Adoption and Permanency Services for their approval
complete dossiers on behalf of families
present adoptive parents with the Adoption Matching Proposal for Hague and Government adoptions
prepare post-placement assessment reports as required
finalize adoptions for those that will be granted by the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta

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

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.

The first step is to call or email calgary@adoptionbychoice.ca to set up an appointment to meet with a social worker for a consultation. Please note there is a $75.00 fee for the initial information session. Please see our attached fee schedule here.

Families applying to adopt a child from another country must follow these steps in order to be considered for international adoption:

#1. COUNTRY REQUIREMENTS: renumber each section below

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.

1. AUTHORIZATION:

Complete the Alberta Children's Services International Adoption Application (form CS2777). Once completed this form should be forwarded to Adoption and Permanency Services in Edmonton. The address is included on the form.

2. APPLICATION & FEES:

Complete ABC’s International Adoption Application Package & Fees.

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. 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. Is this still current practice??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.

5. HOME STUDY REPORT:

After you have completed our Self-Guided Study Book and the necessary paperwork, we will commence the home study 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. POST PLACEMENT SUPPORT

11. 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.

What ABC Provides To You

Although Adoption By Choice does not actually ‘facilitate’ international placements, we are a resource for you and we can help you in many ways as you travel down the winding road towards building your family through adoption. Our mandate is to:

educate prospective adoptive parents
complete a home study report, specific to the child’s country of origin
provide our recommendations to Adoption and Permanency Services for their approval
complete dossiers on behalf of families
present adoptive parents with the Adoption Matching Proposal for Hague and Government adoptions
prepare post-placement assessment reports as required
finalize adoptions for those that will be granted by the Court of Queen’s Bench in Alberta

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.

Resources for International Adoption

International Adoption Coordinating Agencies

Choices Adoption www.choicesadoption.ca (888) 479-9811	Bulgaria, Vietnam

Mission of Tears www.missionoftears.ca (416) 449-0018	South Africa

Adoption By Shepherd Care www.adoptionshepherdcare.com (800) 966-2060	United States
Children's Bridge www.childrensbridge.com (613)226-2112	Thailand, Zambia, Jamaica (relative only), China ;
Sunrise Adoption www.sunriseadoption.com (604)984-2488 (888)984-2488	Bulgaria, Philippines, Haiti

Soleil Des Nations (819)693-3223 www.soleildesnations.org	Bolivia, Columbia, Haiti
Terre Des Hommes (TDH) www.tdhontario.tdh.ca (613) 482-6306	Vietnam, Honduras, Haiti