Alberta legislation requires that families who are hoping to adopt a child from another country have the services of a licensed adoption agency. International adoptions also involve several levels of government and, in Alberta, in addition to a licensed adoption agency you will need a coordinator. Read on for a brief description of the process...
1. APPLICATION
The package which follows is made up of the paperwork we will need from you. It includes the Alberta Children’s Services International Adoption Registration form which when completed authorizes us to prepare your home assessment report. The application fee is not due until you begin to submit this paperwork to us.
2. EDUCATION
In order to become familiar with international adoption: the process, the fees, the pitfalls, the ethics and the special needs of the children who wait. Alberta legislation requires that you attend an International Adoption Seminar. Our International Specialist will share information about the process, provide you with a package of material and match you with a buddy family who has adopted from the same country. The seminar will be in a group format whenever possible.
Families adopting relatives from their country of origin may attend the group seminar or may prefer a session tailor made to their situation. In any case, Alberta legislation makes this session mandatory for all applicants.
3. RESEARCH
In addition to attending the seminar you are encouraged to do reading and research on your own. As well, we highly recommend that you join the International Adoption Families Association (IAFA) Support Group. They can be contacted at www.iafa.ca or at a 24 hour number of 403-270-2474. Speaking to their board members, attending support group meetings and meeting others who have already adopted will be invaluable to you. As well, books and videos in our lending libraries are available for your use.
4. COUNTRY REQUIREMENTS
We can supply you with up-to-date information on those countries that have agreements with Canada. You can find this information at www.child.gov.ab.ca. You will also find www.familyhelper.net to be a reliable source of up-to-date information on most countries. When you have decided on the country of your choice, you need to find out what that country requires of you.
5. COORDINATOR
Because Alberta legislation only allows Alberta’s licensed adoption agencies to do the work you need done here in Alberta, you will need to find a coordinator who will be your link to the sending country (ie. The country you hope to adopt from). We can provide you with a list of coordinators working with different countries. They ensure that your documents are in order, organize your trip, and communicate with officials in the other country on your behalf. For a private international adoption (e.g. a relative adoption), you will have to do your own information gathering and organizing.
6. DOSSIER PREPARATION
We can help you with preparing your dossier. Dossier preparation can be complicated as it involves copying, translating, notarizing, authenticating, etc.
7. HOMESTUDY
We will begin your home assessment as soon as you have attended our International Education Seminar and completed the necessary paperwork. Once the home assessment has been completed, it is sent to you for your review and then sent to Alberta Children’s Services headquarters in Edmonton for their review and approval. A final copy is then sent to you, which you may give to your facilitator.
8. IMMIGRATION
You will need to apply to Immigration Canada as part of the process to sponsor your child and to obtain a landed immigrant's visa. Even though we and Alberta Children’s Services may approve your adoption homestudy, there is no guarantee that Immigration will agree to allow your child(ren) to enter Canada.
9. ONGOING ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR FILE
Once you have registered with Adoption Options, we will be your direct link to Alberta Children’s Services; any questions regarding progress on your file should be made through us.
10. CHILD PROPOSAL
Working closely with Alberta Children’s Services we will provide you with your child proposal in a timely fashion when it arrives from your sending country. We will assist you in considering the proposal and accepting or turning down the match.
11. POST PLACEMENT SUPPORT
We hope that you will see Adoption Options’ social workers as a source of support. You are invited to attend our adoptive parent support groups at any time. As well you will receive a copy of the newsletter which we publish several times each year.
12. POST PLACEMENT REPORTS
Some countries require that post placement visits and reports be done for the first year or two after an adoption. We can provide that service for you.
13. FINALIZATION
Most adoptions are finalized in the sending country but a few countries (namely India, Pakistan and the Philippines) require you to finalize the adoption back in Canada. This is a service that we can provide when needed.
14. SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
International applicants are always in a hurry. They know that somewhere out there, a child is waiting for them. Adoption Options, your coordinator, the Alberta Government and everyone you will deal with recognizes your concerns. We know that you understand that processing your application is an in-depth process. We will do our very best to process your case in a timely fashion.
1. APPLICATION
The package which follows is made up of the paperwork we will need from you. It includes the Alberta Children’s Services International Adoption Registration form which when completed authorizes us to prepare your home assessment report. The application fee is not due until you begin to submit this paperwork to us.
2. EDUCATION
In order to become familiar with international adoption: the process, the fees, the pitfalls, the ethics and the special needs of the children who wait. Alberta legislation requires that you attend an International Adoption Seminar. Our International Specialist will share information about the process, provide you with a package of material and match you with a buddy family who has adopted from the same country. The seminar will be in a group format whenever possible.
Families adopting relatives from their country of origin may attend the group seminar or may prefer a session tailor made to their situation. In any case, Alberta legislation makes this session mandatory for all applicants.
3. RESEARCH
In addition to attending the seminar you are encouraged to do reading and research on your own. As well, we highly recommend that you join the International Adoption Families Association (IAFA) Support Group. They can be contacted at www.iafa.ca or at a 24 hour number of 403-270-2474. Speaking to their board members, attending support group meetings and meeting others who have already adopted will be invaluable to you. As well, books and videos in our lending libraries are available for your use.
4. COUNTRY REQUIREMENTS
We can supply you with up-to-date information on those countries that have agreements with Canada. You can find this information at www.child.gov.ab.ca. You will also find www.familyhelper.net to be a reliable source of up-to-date information on most countries. When you have decided on the country of your choice, you need to find out what that country requires of you.
5. COORDINATOR
Because Alberta legislation only allows Alberta’s licensed adoption agencies to do the work you need done here in Alberta, you will need to find a coordinator who will be your link to the sending country (ie. The country you hope to adopt from). We can provide you with a list of coordinators working with different countries. They ensure that your documents are in order, organize your trip, and communicate with officials in the other country on your behalf. For a private international adoption (e.g. a relative adoption), you will have to do your own information gathering and organizing.
6. DOSSIER PREPARATION
We can help you with preparing your dossier. Dossier preparation can be complicated as it involves copying, translating, notarizing, authenticating, etc.
7. HOMESTUDY
We will begin your home assessment as soon as you have attended our International Education Seminar and completed the necessary paperwork. Once the home assessment has been completed, it is sent to you for your review and then sent to Alberta Children’s Services headquarters in Edmonton for their review and approval. A final copy is then sent to you, which you may give to your facilitator.
8. IMMIGRATION
You will need to apply to Immigration Canada as part of the process to sponsor your child and to obtain a landed immigrant's visa. Even though we and Alberta Children’s Services may approve your adoption homestudy, there is no guarantee that Immigration will agree to allow your child(ren) to enter Canada.
9. ONGOING ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR FILE
Once you have registered with Adoption Options, we will be your direct link to Alberta Children’s Services; any questions regarding progress on your file should be made through us.
10. CHILD PROPOSAL
Working closely with Alberta Children’s Services we will provide you with your child proposal in a timely fashion when it arrives from your sending country. We will assist you in considering the proposal and accepting or turning down the match.
11. POST PLACEMENT SUPPORT
We hope that you will see Adoption Options’ social workers as a source of support. You are invited to attend our adoptive parent support groups at any time. As well you will receive a copy of the newsletter which we publish several times each year.
12. POST PLACEMENT REPORTS
Some countries require that post placement visits and reports be done for the first year or two after an adoption. We can provide that service for you.
13. FINALIZATION
Most adoptions are finalized in the sending country but a few countries (namely India, Pakistan and the Philippines) require you to finalize the adoption back in Canada. This is a service that we can provide when needed.
14. SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
International applicants are always in a hurry. They know that somewhere out there, a child is waiting for them. Adoption Options, your coordinator, the Alberta Government and everyone you will deal with recognizes your concerns. We know that you understand that processing your application is an in-depth process. We will do our very best to process your case in a timely fashion.