[mariacayman]

hi
my fiance and i are living in the caribbean and are looking into adopting a child from africa.
Does anyone know if we have to go through the australian govt for this? - we are currently contacting Americans for African Adoption to see if they will help us.
Does anyone know how it will work when we eventually move back to Australia.
Will our child have Australian Citizenship??
Hoping someone can help me.

[mel71]

I and many others have adopted while living OS. If you are outside Australia for more than 12 months your state in Australia does not get involved. But your adoption must meet certain criteria set by the Immigration Dept. Once adopted you apply for a Grant of Citizenship for your child & they can't enter Australia until this is granted.
check links at
http://www.immi.gov.au/faq/migrate/m...y/family08.htm

[mel71]

There is a new group for expatriate Aussies who are adopting. It is at www.yahoogroups.com and the name of the group is

australianexpatadoption@yahoogroups.com

There are several families on there already who have adopted while living overseas or currently going thru the process

Mel