[angel01]

Hi all,
I'm new to all this and feel totally lost right now. My husband and I are considering adoption after battling infertility for 3+ years. China is our option no. 1 but we are open to other countries too.
I am writing from Malta (Europe) and my country does not do domestic adoptions. This has compelled to do international. We have registered with the Social Welfare Dept here in my country where we'll be starting coucelling and guidance sessions in October followed by the home study.
I would really like to find out more about some reliable agencies I can turn to. Believe me, I'm lost. The Social Welfare dept told us to contact the respective embassies should we need advice but if we could get first-hand info from people who are/were involved directly in this process, it would sure help.
There's also one PROBLEM: my husband does not travel because he suffers from anxiety the moment he boards a plane, which would mean that I'd have to do the travelling by myself (mum or dad would surely accompany me though). I'm not quite sure whether most agencies would accept me to travel alone!
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Lissa]

China encourages 2 parent travel but does not require it. It means a little extra paperwork, and possibly some added stress (but if you have someone else helping you that should be minimal.) As for agencies I can PM you the name of the agency I used and I'm sure others will as well. What agency you use though is a very personal decision so once you get some ideas I'd start talking to them about specific rules they may have (especially about travel since your hubby won't be able to accompany you) and just their general "personality". Your agency becomes your lifeline to your child and you will be living with them for a long time.

Congratulations on getting started. If you have any questions please feel free to ask!

[ttcasey]

My husband doesn't do well with travel either. When we first started the process I was going to travel alone or bring my mother with me. I am not sure if my husband has the same problem as yours, but he does have a problem with traveling long distances. After we met with the SW he decided there is no way he will miss it and he has decided to travel with me, hopefully by September. Our agency does allow only one parent to travel, there is additional paperwork to be filled out, but the option is there.

Another thing on the Chinese adoptions, the wait has increased. Make sure that you completely understand that the wait could increase to 2-3 years. When we first started we were told about 12 months. We have switched to SN which is the best for our family. Good luck! We wish you and your family the best!

[angel01]

thanks to you both for answering.
Lissa: I posted you a PM
Casey: thanks for confirming that only one parent is allowed to travel. I doubt my hubbie will have a change of mind like yours. Hubbie gets very anxious when he's away from home: it's nothing to do with long flights! He gets bad stomach pains from anxiety and in spite of his good efforts, he can't seem to overcome it. I got very discouraged when the Social Welfare dept told us that the Russian agency they deal with requires both parents to travel. That's what's making me seek other agencies.
Oh, and 2-3 years is a very long wait! Will you be able to adopt young babies at the end of it though?