[sak9645]

As to private adoption, SOME people have saved money this way, but MANY people have actually spent more money, and some have lost their money, as well as their dream of becoming parents.

For countries that allow it, private adoption is best if you:

1. Are very familiar with the country and its adoption system, so that you know what has to be done to complete an adoption.
2. Have contacts in the country who can link you up with reputable, ethical, and well-connected attorneys and other providers who can help you identify a child and finalize an adoption.
3. Are familiar with medical terminology that you might encounter in children's records from that country. Remember that many foreign medical systems are different from our own, and that some diagnoses are also put into a child's records purely to make him/her adoptable.
4. Are familiar with the issues of institutionalized children, and can distinguish signs of fetal alcoholism and other serious medical isssues from the normal, treatable problems and delays of an institutionalized child, when you meet a child you may want to adopt.
5. Speak the foreign language, at least to some extent, so you understand what an orphanage director or doctor is saying -- or have a guide/translator who is thoroughly reputable and will translate what is said accurately and completely.
6. Understand U.S. immigration law and, in particular, the conditions under which an adoption visa will or will not be granted. Remember that it is possible to adopt a child under foreign law, only to discover that you cannot bring the child to the U.S. unless you spend two years living abroad with him/her, because he/she does not qualify for a visa.

I have adopted a child overseas, and have also worked for an international adoption advocacy organization and in the health care field. Personally, I would NOT feel comfortable doing a private international adoption, despite my knowledge.

Sharon