The home study is the first step that should be taken. Read adoption books and attend workshops to become acquainted with general and international adoption issues. This will help you feel more comfortable during the home study and adoption process. Only a home study dated in the last six months can be submitted to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). Certain documents, as listed below, must be obtained. In South Carolina, copies are acceptable for all documents. However, you will need originals for your dossier. If you live outside of South Carolina, CHERISHED CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL Adoption Agency will assist you in finding an agency to conduct your home study or you may refer to The Complete Adoption Book, which provides a state-by-state listing of adoption agencies. What is a home study? A home study is a document completed by a certified investigator to indicate that you are approved to parent a child. The person who conducts your home study will complete about an eight page document, which is to be sent to CIS. Expect the person conducting your home study to spend approximately three hours at your home getting to know you and sharing with you the benefits and concerns assocated with adopting internationally. Some investigators may visit your home on more than one occasion. The agency doing your home study will know which CIS office in which to send the home study and accompanying documents. This person/agency will also prepare a special three page home study document, which will translated and sent to Romania. What will I most likely need for the home study? ----Birth Certificates (for all family members) ----Marriage Certificate ----Divorce Decrees (if applicable) For your dossier, you will need original birth and marriage certificates and divorce decrees. So if you are ordering them, be sure and ask for (2) originals with seals. If you do not know the address of where to order these documents, visit the website www.asststork.com. There is a listing of theVital Records Office for each state. ----Military Discharges (if applicable) ----1040 or W-2 Form (most recent) ----Three letters of reference The references shoudl indicate how they know you and for how long they have known you. They should state the attributes that would make you good adoptive parents. Such comments could include your ability to care for children, your moral character, your ability to provide financially for a child, the stability of your marriage, and your love for each other and for children. For your dossier, you will need typed letters of reference from three different people. Have each person type his or her letter and sign it in blue ink. Because you will also use these letters for your dossier, have each signature notarized. ----Medical Reports The physician should state that you are in good physical and mental health and are appropriate for parenting an adopted child. Also it must state that you are free from communicable diseases. Each spouse must have his/her own letter andeach letter must be on the physician's letterhead. For your dossier, have your physician prepare an original for each spouse and have him/her sign the document in blue ink. ----Your state or agency may require state or local police clearance as well as child abuse/neglect clearance. |
There are three essential steps that you must complete for an international adoption: |
Although each of the above steps must be completed before the next step can be taken, you can begin to gather the documents for each one simultaneously. Keep a file of all documents and always have a copy of every document. If you do not have a passport, begin the process of obtaining one for you and your spouse. You do not need a visa to go to Romania, Moldova or Guatemala, however, a visa is required for travel to Russia and you may need one for a stay-over in another country. Check with your travel agent. |
Getting Your Adoption Started |
Home Study: |
The home study is the first step that should be taken. Read adoption books and attend workshops to become acquainted with general and international adoption issues. This will help you feel more comfortable during the home study and adoption process. Only a home study dated in the last six months can be submitted to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). Certain documents, as listed below, must be obtained. In South Carolina, copies are acceptable for all documents. However, you will need originals for your dossier. If you live outside of South Carolina, CHERISHED CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL Adoption Agency will assist you in finding an agency to conduct your home study or you may refer to The Complete Adoption Book, which provides a state-by-state listing of adoption agencies. What is a home study? A home study is a document completed by a certified investigator to indicate that you are approved to parent a child. The person who conducts your home study will complete about an eight page document, which is to be sent to CIS. Expect the person conducting your home study to spend approximately three hours at your home getting to know you and sharing with you the benefits and concerns assocated with adopting internationally. Some investigators may visit your home on more than one occasion. The agency doing your home study will know which CIS office in which to send the home study and accompanying documents. This person/agency will also prepare a special three page home study document, which will translated and sent to Romania. What will I most likely need for the home study? ----Birth Certificates (for all family members) ----Marriage Certificate ----Divorce Decrees (if applicable) For your dossier, you will need original birth and marriage certificates and divorce decrees. So if you are ordering them, be sure and ask for (2) originals with seals. If you do not know the address of where to order these documents, visit the website www.asststork.com. There is a listing of theVital Records Office for each state. ----Military Discharges (if applicable) ----1040 or W-2 Form (most recent) ----Three letters of reference The references shoudl indicate how they know you and for how long they have known you. They should state the attributes that would make you good adoptive parents. Such comments could include your ability to care for children, your moral character, your ability to provide financially for a child, the stability of your marriage, and your love for each other and for children. For your dossier, you will need typed letters of reference from three different people. Have each person type his or her letter and sign it in blue ink. Because you will also use these letters for your dossier, have each signature notarized. ----Medical Reports The physician should state that you are in good physical and mental health and are appropriate for parenting an adopted child. Also it must state that you are free from communicable diseases. Each spouse must have his/her own letter andeach letter must be on the physician's letterhead. For your dossier, have your physician prepare an original for each spouse and have him/her sign the document in blue ink. ----Your state or agency may require state or local police clearance as well as child abuse/neglect clearance. |
Before a child is assigned, you must have an application on file in our office, provide evidence of no criminal record or child abuse history, start your home study, and apply with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), formerly INS. If you accept referral prior to CIS approval, that referral will be contingent upon CIS approval. If you are unable to obtain CIS approval, you should be aware that all fees paid are NON-REFUNDABLE. You cannot be given a court date until you have been granted all proper approval from CIS. |
US Citizenshipe and Immigration Services Paperwork |
Completing the CIS paperwork can be done simultaneously with your home study. |
A.. Complete Form I-600A (Only one form need be completed, regardless of the number of children you wish to adopt.) On Block I, whichever spouse plans to travel to bring your child home should be the "Petitioner". The Petitioner needs to be the person to sign the I-600A form first (on the left side, and the other spouse signs on the right side). On Block II of the I-600A form answer the questions as follows: |
#10. Cherished Children International Adoption Agency 110 Concord Road, Suite E Anderson SC 29621 #11. Yes (Check "yes" even if you think you will be using an escort service, just in case you do have to use the service). #12. Yes or No, depending on whether spouse will travel #13. A. Unknown B. Unknown C. If adopting from Romania, answer Bucharest, Romania If adoptiong from Russia, answer Moscow, Russia #14. Yes #15. No (unless you and your spouse plan to visit your child prior to the adoption) #16. If adopting from Romania, answer Bucharest, Romania If adopting from Russia, answer Moscow, Russia #17. If you check off that you want to adopt more than one child, be sure that your home study also approves you for the same number of children. |
B. Send your I-600A form, a check for $405.00 and a check for $25.00 per person, payable to CIS, for fingerprints for each person in your household who is 18 years or older. Also send a cover letter that states your name, address, and telephone number, the fact that you are adopting a child from (Romania or Russia, whichever is applicable) through Cherished Children International Adoption Agency, that you are using XYZ Agency to do your home study and that all required documents will accompany your home study. Check with the agency that is doing your home study as to which INS office to send your I-600A form. The CIS will then send you a card indicating where and when to get fingerprinted. |
Preparing Your Documents for Your Dossier |
Documents for your dossier may differ depending on the country from which you choose to adopt. Cherished Children will guide you through preparing your dossier for your country of choice. |
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