Domestic vs. International Adoption in California

Choosing between domestic or international adoption in California is a fork in the road on your journey to becoming a family.

Making the best choice for you will determine the rest of your life, and we are here to help.

We can provide services for both domestic and international adoption. If you would like to get free adoption information now, then you can contact us online at any time.

For now, you can keep reading to learn which type of adoption would be perfect for you: international adoption vs. domestic adoption.

Requirements for Domestic vs. International Adoption

When it comes to adopting domestically or internationally, you will need to consider the requirements of both types of adoption. Each type’s qualifications vary depending on the state or country involved in the adoption process. Another factor is the adoption agency that you choose to work with, as each comes with its own set of requirements.

Here in California, hopeful adoptive parents must be at least 10 years older than the child they wish to adopt. Demographic requirements, such as those regarding age, marital status, income and sexual orientation, are non-existent.

On the other hand, some countries don’t recognize same-sex marriage and prohibit LGBTQ+ people from adopting children. Other countries may require hopeful adoptive families to wait a specific amount of time before they adopt, and others may limit the number of marriages a hopeful parent can have.

Because of this, domestic vs. international adoption requirements can vary drastically. So, be sure to research the countries you wish to adopt from to see if it’s possible.

Costs for Domestic vs. International Adoption

Another important aspect to think about as you choose between international adoption vs. domestic adoption is finance. International adoption can have a higher cost, as it includes expenses such as:

• Travel costs
• Immigration documentation costs
• Adoption agency costs

Still, international adoption costs vary by country, but it has a fairly wide average of $50,000. On a similar note, private domestic adoption can also be expensive for hopeful adoptive families. This is because you may need to pay for the prospective birth mother’s living and medical fees.

Opportunities for Domestic vs. International Adoption

As you consider whether domestic or international adoption is right for you, it’s important to know about the different adoption opportunities that each type entails. In international adoption, many of the children available for adoption are considered to be “orphans,” which UNICEF defines as, “a child under 18 years of age who has lost one or both parents to any cause of death.”

That means that the children’s personal history is often unavailable. But, there are times when the government service providing care for them knows things about their past.

Once it has been established that a domestic family cannot adopt them, they will become available for international adoption. Also, many of the children in need of an international adoption placement are older, have one or more disabilities or have behavioral needs.

Domestic adoption situations are different.

In a private infant adoption, the birth parent chooses adoption voluntarily. With the support of an agency, they create an adoption plan, receive legal support during pregnancy, and have the chance to stay connected with their child through open adoption.

In foster care adoptions, children who are unable to be reunited with their family of origin can receive love, care and support from a family through adoption. With more than 50,000 children in the California foster care system, there are plenty of opportunities to provide a child with a loving home through our agency.

Wait Times for Domestic vs. International Adoption

The wait times for international adoption vs. domestic adoption can vary drastically. In private domestic infant adoption, you will have to wait for the prospective birth mother to choose you, and this could take anywhere from weeks to years.

For international adoption, you’ll need to wait for your child referral agency to find an adoption opportunity for you. It also may need a foreign court’s approval before you travel. Still, this varies by the country’s government, which could temporarily or permanently shut down their international adoption program while you’re in the middle of the process.

For foster care adoption with FCCA, placement typically occurs right after the match referral. Although the adoption can’t be finalized until at least six to 18 months later, foster care adoption is often the fastest family-building option.

If you are looking for an agency to help you today, then you can get in touch with one of the following adoption agencies:

• Family Connections Christian Adoptions
• American Adoptions
• Heartsent Adoptions

Learn More

So, what’s right for you: domestic or international adoption? Only you can make this decision, but we would love to help you whenever you need us. That’s why you can fill out our online contact form to get more free information now. Let’s take the next steps toward becoming a family.