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Originally Posted by Nuala
I wonder if it would be possible to adopt from the US. Are there agencies that would be supportive in this regard and what is the process, how long does it take etc?
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I hate to admit it but foreigner are not allowed to adopt from the USA. Long and short, the US has implemented the Hague Treaty and Hague forbids the private placement of children abroad (this is also why Guatemala is now closed because babies were placed privately - therefore breaking the Hague rules.). Unfortunately, this is how many Americans adopt newborn babies so getting a infant is close to impossible. Infants must be on a "data bank" for two months before they are allowed to go abroad and to be quite frank rarely will a healthy infant of any race wait that long for a family. Infants who are still available after 2 months often have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or severe special needs. However, foreigners are allowed to adopt from our foster care system but most of the children are ages 8 and up - unless they have younger siblings. There is a very long wait time (5-8 years) for infants UNLESS you foster before you adopt and never will they allow foreigners to foster because they want the children close to their biological parents while she/he still have custody.
I would suggest you look into agencies located in Ireland that work in developing/third world countries.