International Adoptions
Inter-country adoptions are the fastest growing segment of adoptions in this country. The National Adoption Information Clearinghouse reports that for Fiscal Year 1999, the number of Immigrant Visas issued to orphans coming to the United States was over 16,000. This trend is the result of a variety of factors, including the availability of young, healthy infants and toddlers; no concerns that the birth parents may reclaim the child; and the fact that these adoptions often are quicker than domestic adoptions. The full expense to adopt is also known before the adoptive family proceeds, and many countries consider single parents for adoption, as well as two-parent families. Other aspects prospective adoptive parents should consider are the possible impact of institutionalization on children's growth and development, children's medical care that may not be up to the same standards of the United States, no generational medical information on the birth family, and political issues that may cause some countries to initiate moratoriums on international adoptions. Visit our Helpful Links page for more information about international adoption.