Adopting Internationally: What you need to know!

Choosing to adopt is a big decision for any family. Choosing to adopt internationally is, perhaps, an even bigger decision. It's important to research organizations, programs and countries throughly.

Agape Adoptions is a licensed, fully Hague accredited child placing agency based in Washington state. Being accredited means that a third party (such as IAAME) has determined through a rigorous assessment of evidence that the organization meets standards of best practices and quality services. Accreditation protects adoptees, adoptive families and adoption agencies.

We work with adoptive families across the U.S., and offer homestudy and post placement services to families in Alaska, Washington and Oregon. Agape currently has programs in China, Bulgaria, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Romania.

NExt Steps

Virtual Information Meetings

Agape holds monthly information meetings, generally on a Monday evening, early the month. Our next information meeting is:

April 10 at 6 pm pacific.

Have Questions?

Virtual Information Meetings

We acknowledge that every family is different and our website and information meetings might not answer the questions you have about your family's specific circumstances.

Reach out to us!

International Adoption: Getting Started Resources

Financial Resources

Government Resources for Adoption

Agape Adoptions provides a FREE Personalized Adoption Finance Coaching Service with a customized adoption finance plan for our adopting families. This Service offers webinars, training videos and consultations with a coach help you create an adoption budget, and learn about fundraising, grants and more!

According to the

YAFC service, "Families that use Kelly's system of Tools to Finance Your Adoption, Grant Writing, Special Events and more, typically raise between $5,000 and $15,000 for their adoptions." Click here to learn more about Adoption Finance Coaching Services. Once a family is accepted to Agape Adoptions, we will set you up with the Coaching Services. A federal tax credit is available to eligible families. Visit:https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607 (or look up IRS tax topic 607) to learn more.

Government Resources for Adoption

Various parts of the U.S (and the placing country) government play key roles throughout the process of intercountry adoptions. Below are links to their websites and useful resources (don't get too over-whelmed with knowing each part of the process and who does what, our staff will help you navigate the process).

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

U.S. State Department

US Embassy Information

USCIS Orphan Visa Information

USCIS Hague Visa Information

IRS Adoption Tax Credit

Social Security Administration

Medical Reviews

Government Resources for Adoption

Medical Reviews

Agape recommends adoptive families consult with a medical professional to further review referral information. We recommend utilizing a medical professional who specializes in international adoption as they will be more familiar with reviewing child files and can give more clear guidance. Resources to help you do this include:

Love Without Boundaries, Adopt Special Needs

Sparrow Services Grants

RainbowKids.com

University of Washington's, Center for Adoption Medicine

University of Minnesota, Adoption Medicine Clinic