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Each country has its own rules about private adoption.

China, which is just about the cheapest country from which one can adopt, does NOT permit private adoption by foreigners under any circumstances. All prospective parents must work through a licensed, nonprofit agency in their home country, which has been accredited by the Chinese government. No one can adopt independently or through a lawyer or facilitator. China passed this law in 1992 to curb widespread corruption. By all accounts, this law has helped China to maintain one of the cleanest adoption systems in the world, with no bribery or baby-buying.

Ethiopia, rapidly becoming a very popular country for Americans adopting children, also does not permit private adoption by foreigners. Another low-cost country, Ethiopia requires Americans to use one of the seven licensed, nonprofit American agencies that it has accredited. If you attempt to adopt independently or through a lawyer or facilitator, you won't be able to complete an adoption; and if, somehow, you manage to acquire a child illegally, the U.S. government will not issue a visa for the child to enter the U.S.

South Korea does not allow independent adoption by foreigners. If you are American, you must use a licensed, nonprofit agency that has a contract with the Korean government to place children with families in your state. The only exception is that you can work with an agency in another state for certain special needs adoptions.

Russia blows hot and cold about independent adoption. Russia is always "on the cusp" of banning it completely. However, it still seems to be allowed in a few regions of the country. However, I must tell you that adoption from Russia is not for the faint of heart, even if you work with an experienced agency. For an independent, it can be extremely difficult. And Russian adoption is extremely expensive, no matter how you do it, because of factors like the two-trip requirement.

Guatemala allows you to adopt without a U.S. agency or facilitator. However, you MUST use a Guatemalan attorney to finalize the adoption, and the Guatemalan attorneys are the main source of the high fees for adoption from this country.

Go to the website of the U.S. State Department, which summarizes each country's adoption requirements. You may find a country that allows independent adoption and that attracts you.

However, do be very careful in trying to adopt independently. Remember that you will need to comply with both the foreign country's adoption laws (which may be complex) and with U.S. immigration laws. Also, remember that for every American who has saved money by adopting independently from a foreign country, there are probably two Americans who have lost a lot of money -- and who have undergone emotional trauma -- by trying to adopt in this way. The risks are high.

Sharon