Adopting While Living Overseas as a Military Family

---

Adopting a child is exciting -- and sometimes difficult. If you live overseas, the process can become even more complicated. But adopting a child while you're stationed overseas is possible and many families complete the process every year. Fortunately, there are agencies and support groups that can help guide you through it.

Return to the Top

Steps to adoption

Whether you choose domestic or international adoption, the process will be a little more complicated because you live overseas. You'll want to find an agency and a home study provider experienced in working with families living overseas.

• Choosing an agency. Some agencies shy away from working with military families, while others embrace the opportunity. You'll want to find an adoption agency with experience working with U.S. citizens living overseas. Adoptive Families magazine (www.adoptivefamilies.com ) maintains a comprehensive listing of both domestic and international agencies. Here are a few things to consider when choosing an agency:
• Experience. Does the agency have experience working with military families living overseas? Ask for references and call the references to discuss their experiences.
• Licensing. Is the agency licensed in the U.S.? As a U.S. citizen, you'll need to work with an agency that is licensed in the U.S.
• Requirements. Some agencies have requirements that go beyond the legal requirements of the state (or country, for international adoptions). For example, some may require you that you have a particular religious affiliation or meet certain financial conditions. When talking with an agency, make sure that you understand the difference between the agency's requirements and the legal requirements. If you don't meet the agency's requirements, find an agency that can meet your needs more easily.
• Costs. Fees can vary widely from agency to agency. Make sure you understand what is covered -- and what is not -- when you compare agencies.
• Nonprofit status. The military adoption subsidy, a financial reimbursement per child for certain adoption expenses, is available if you use a state, nonprofit, or other qualified agency. For details, visit the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Web site at www.dod.mil/comptroller/fmr/ (go to Volume 7C, Chapter 4).

If you are adopting a child from the U.S., you may use a state or public agency (such as an agency run by the state's Department of Social or Human Services). Many states now recognize the benefits a military family can bring to an adopted child and they actively pursue military families. In other states, you may need to educate the agency on the benefits of military adoption.

• Completing a home study. A home study is required for all adoptions, domestic or international. Your home study should be prepared by a licensed social worker who meets the legal requirements (state, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, or country) of your adoption. Before you contract the services of a home study preparer, make sure they can prepare the home study to the specifications required. Your installation's Family Support Center may be able to provide information and referrals for home study providers.

Several agencies and adoption professionals prepare home studies for families living abroad. If you can't find a licensed home study provider, you may be able to contract with a home study preparer in your country of residence and have the study certified by International Social Service at www.iss-usa.org . The following Web sites may help you find a home study provider:

• For a listing of agencies that provide home studies for families living abroad, visit the KMC Adoption support group at www.usadopteurope.com (follow the links for home study providers).
• For families living in Japan, visit the International Mental Health Professionals Japan Web site at www.imhpj.org (this site can be searched by location and area of expertise).
• Documentation. Getting the necessary documents, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates, can be difficult when you live overseas. If your documents must be notarized from the state, you will need to contact the issuing state or county to get the required documents. VitalChek Network, Inc. at www.vitalchek.com can obtain and mail you copies of these documents, but they won't have a notarization or seal from the state.

Return to the Top

Domestic adoption

When a U.S. citizen adopts a child from the U.S., the adoption is subject only to the laws of the interested state or states. However, state laws are complicated and you will need an experienced adoption agency or adoption attorney to help work out the details.

• State regulations. Both the state in which the adoptive child lives and the state of your legal residence may have an interest in the adoption. You may be able to complete your adoption in just one state -- the state with jurisdiction over the child. Because state laws vary, each situation is different. In some cases, the adoption may be subject to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).
• Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. The ICPC regulates the placement of a child from one state to another. In most cases, the state in which the child lives will contact the ICPC for guidance on placing a child with a U.S. citizen residing abroad. For more information, including contact information for state offices, visit the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children's Web site at icpc.aphsa.org .

Return to the Top

Foreign adoption

When you adopt a child from a foreign country, the adoption will be subject to the laws of your country of residence, the foreign country, and the policies of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Your agency will help you navigate through these requirements.

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service paperwork. In most foreign adoptions, the USCIS requires Form I-600A (Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition) for U.S. citizens wishing to adopt a child internationally. The form should be submitted, along with your home study, other required documents (such as birth certificates), and a processing fee. Prospective parents must submit fingerprints to a USCIS office before the form is processed. In some cases, military service members and their families may be fingerprinted at their installation's military law enforcement office. Check with your adoption agency for current fingerprint procedures.
• Travel. Travel to pick up your adopted child can be both complicated and expensive when you live outside the U.S. Although most foreign adoptions are finalized in the child's birth country, you cannot obtain a U.S. passport or apply for naturalization for your child until he or she returns to the U.S. As you travel home with your child, you have two options:
• Most adoption professionals advise U.S. citizens residing overseas to return to the U.S. before bringing the child to their country of residence. This will allow you to obtain a U.S. passport for your child. However, passports can only be issued to children holding an IR3 visa (and may not be available if your child's adoption was not finalized abroad). If your child will not travel with an IR3 visa, you may need to complete the adoption process before a passport can be issued. Passport offices in several locations can expedite the passport process, allowing you to return home quickly. Visit the Passport and International Travel Information for Citizens of the U.S. Web site at www.passportinfo.com/ppagency.htm for more information.
• Families who choose to return directly to their overseas home may be able to get a visa from their country of residence, but the process is complicated. You can apply for the visa with the consulate of your country of residence after your adoption is finalized in the country where you are adopting. Because this process may take several days to a week, your trip will need to be extended. The visas are valid only for a limited time, requiring you to return to the U.S. with your child to obtain citizenship. Your adoption agency can help you navigate these procedures.

Return to the Top

Other resources

Adoption support groups

groups.yahoo.com

There are several adoption support groups, including groups for U.S. citizens living abroad and groups for military families living in Europe and Asia.

DoD Adoption Reimbursement Policy

www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134109p.pdf

The latest DoD policy on adoption reimbursement, including definitions and procedures for reimbursement.

KMC Adoption Support Group (Germany)

www.usadopteurope.com

Group meets regularly and has an informative Web site, including referrals to adoption professionals.

National Military Family Association

www.nmfa.org

Follow the links under "Family Life" for information on the military adoption subsidy.

U.S. State Department

www.travel.state.gov/family

Information and assistance with adoption process in more than 60 countries.

Your military support services

Each service branch sponsors information and support programs for service members and their families. You can call or visit any installation Army Community Service Center, Marine Corps Community Services, Fleet and Family Support Center, or Airman and Family Readiness Center regardless of your branch affiliation.

If you aren't near an installation, National Guard Family Assistance Centers are available in every state. The Local Community Resource Finder on the National Guard Family Program at www.guardfamily.org will identify your closest center.

Military OneSource

This free 24-hour service is available to all active duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families. Consultants provide information and make referrals on a wide range of issues, including parenting and adoption. Up to six free face-to-face counseling sessions are also available. Call 1-800-342-9647 or go to www.militaryonesource.com . Provided by the Department of Defense.

Written with the assistance of the Kaiserslautern (Germany) Adoption Support Group Volunteers and Randy Barlow, MA, MSW, Adoption Social Worker.

© 2006, 2008 Ceridian Corporation..All rights reserved. 051308

Return to the Top