There are children all around the world who are waiting for a loving home to call their own. International adoption allows parents to expand their search outside of the United States and grow their family in new and exciting ways. However, it's no secret that the laws around international adoption are complex. To help make sense of them and navigate the process, below are three factors lawyers often remind their clients about when it comes to international adoption.

What You Need to Know About International Adoptions

1. You Can't Adopt From Every Country

Different nations have various laws about who can adopt children from within their borders. Some countries are entirely closed to international adoptions, and those that are open have specific criteria that all applicants must meet. These criteria vary from one nation to the next, so your first step should be to consult a lawyer and see if a country you're considering is open to international adoptions. If they are, ask about the eligibility requirements. Popular countries for international adoptions include China, South Korea, Ukraine, and Ethiopia.

2. There Are Several Steps to Getting Approved

Both the U.S. and the child's home country have defined procedures that prospective parents must follow to be approved. In the U.S., these procedures typically involve completing a home study, submitting an adoption application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and—once they match you with a child—submitting another application to the USCIS on behalf of the child so that they can legally come to America. Hiring a lawyer ensures that you complete these steps and have access to the necessary forms and paperwork.

3. You'll Be a Multicultural Family

Your new child will be a legal citizen raised in an American home, but they will still have cultural ties to the country of their birth. This is especially true with older children. Integrate aspects of their birth country into their everyday lives, such as reading books about the country, celebrating the nation’s holidays, and listening to their traditional music. The sooner you start implementing these aspects, the healthier the transition.

Luke A. Weiland, Attorney at Law, will guide you through the complexities of international adoption. He is a lawyer with more than 12 years of experience serving clients throughout Wood County, WI. He offers representation in family law, business law, will and estate matters, and real estate cases. Schedule a consultation by calling (715) 422-6808, and explore his practice online.