1. Find Out If You Are Eligible to Adopt Internationally

In the U.S., you need to be a legal citizen who is at least twenty-five years old to adopt if you are single. If you are married, you and your spouse must adopt the child together even if you are separated. Your spouse also needs to be a U.S. citizen or have legal status in the United States. You will need a home study, background checks, and fingerprinting to determine your suitability to adopt. You should also find out about your state’s requirements on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website.

2. Find Out If You Are Eligible to Adopt in Canada

Each province in Canada has its own regulations, so you will want to be certain that you meet them. You may be asked to complete some kind of adoption training and demonstrate qualities such as empathy, commitment, patience, and flexibility. You will also be asked to complete a home study. Canada is a Hague country, so you will be required to travel there and obtain a Visa for your child. Children available for international adoption will be those who were not placed in Canada. This may be because of their age (they are over two years old) because they are part of a sibling group, or because they have suffered abuse, neglect, or alcohol exposure that have led to delays in their learning and developing.

3. Find Out If You Have the Financial Resources

International adoption into the U.S. can range anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000. Find out if you are eligible for the U.S. government tax credit, which is over $13,000 per child, and ask your employer about any reimbursement opportunities for adoptions. There are also many grants you can apply for.

4. Types of Adoptions

In Canada, there are five main types of adoptions:

1. Adopting an infant, child, or youth from the public welfare system.
2. Adopting an infant or child privately
3. Adopting from another country (International)
4. Adopting stepchildren
5. Adopting a birth relative (kinship)

The most common type of adoption for Canadian citizens is International. 

You may want to look on a website like canadaswaitingchildren.ca/, http://canadaheartgallery.ca/, or http://www.adoptontario.ca/ before beginning your journey. You can begin by emailing or calling the contact information on the website, and find out about the provincial requirements for adoption. You can also contact private adoption agencies in Canada, such as Small Miracles Adoption or Choices Adoption and Counseling, or U.S. agencies to inquire about your eligibility. As always, if you called to adopt a certain child or sibling group, be encouraged that the joy of changing a child’s life is worth every step of the process.

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