[kimmie11]

My husband & I are just getting started. My husband is 45 and I am 38. We tried for years to have children on our own but were unable to. Any advice on International Adoptions, specifically firsthand experience with new york agencies. We both realize the process may be long and we don't want to wait any longer than we have too. PM's accepted as well as any advice. I've been reading the threads and it sure feels good not to feel so alone.

Kimmie11

[lmvsmom]

Don't know anything about New York agencies, but would be happy to PM with you about Guatemala adoptions. Visit the forums; you'll learn lots!

[cakegirl]

Welcome Kimmie,

Congratulations on the decision to adopt!

For international adoptions, you'll find a lot of information on the country-specific forums here.

Rebecca

[waitinginnj]

For international adoptions you generally do not have to work with an agency in your state. (I believe Korea requires that you work with an agency in your own state) I live in NJ and worked with an agency in OH. I adopted from Russia. Russia is a little unsettled now, but if your heart is there check out the Russian forum. There are a lot of people there who will share information with you, including a lot from NJ and NY.

Research the requirements for the various countries and find out you potential fits. Then begin to narrow your choices down and interview agencies etc.

Don't forget to interview homestudy agencies too. They vary as well.

[rredhead]

I agree with waitingginnj: Just because you live in NY, doesn't mean that the agency has to be in NY. Your home study agency or social worker must be in your state.

That said, I do have a bit of knowledge about NY, as there were two agencies there recommended to me. We ended up going with another agency, but we're doing a domestic adoption. The 2 were international. PM me if you'd like.

Good luck and God bless,
Robyn

[kimmie11]

Thanks to all for the replies & PM's. My dh & I are attending a seminar on intermational adoptions at the beginning of next month. Any advice on how to prepare, reading material, etc. ?

[lotterino]

We brought home our daughter (our first child) from Guatemala last year. Below you can see our timeline. An international adoption does not necessarily take a long time. From the time the first paperwork was filled out to when we brought Azaleah home was 8 months, and she was 4.5 mos old.

We are from MN and our agency is in FL, so like others have said, there is no problem working with agencies in different states.

We researched different countries first to decide what would work best for us and from there we started looking into agencies with experience and a great reputation for dealing with Guat adoptions. Once you decide on a country, go to the forum for that country and ask specifically for feedback on the agencies you are looking into. Or simply ask for recommended agencies.

You can also get the homestudy process and USCIS(immigration) paperwork started before you decide on an agency. But before doing that, I would decide on a country.

Good luck!!