[LJR1974]

Actress Katherine Heigl is adopting a "special needs" baby girl from Korea. Katherine's older sister is also Korean, adopted by their parents in the 70s.

I thought that was great!

[journeytolily]

Yeah, that's wonderful! I have seen photos of her sister, but I didn't know she was adopted from Korea. I wondered, though - I thought she looked possibly Korean. Our son is from Korea.

[cborsa7]

The fact that she is adopting is fantastic!
However, if she is adopting from Korea, (which really may not be the case) how is that possible for her? She hasn't been married 3 years, or did I miss something??

[JustBarbara]

She's been married just over a year and yes, she is adopting a special needs baby - she did tell the interviewer that the process is much faster in special needs children. She has been in process 10 months and expects 'very soon' 'very' repeated to have their daughter home. Hmm - maybe she actually applied as a single? Can singles adopt from Korea - I have no idea?

[cborsa7]

No.
According to USCIS.gov (under Korean requirements) and any agency websites I see ( under Korea adoption requirements) you must be married to adopt and married for at least 3 years, so I was stumped by this. Unless the media is wrong, and this child is Korean, just not born in Korea. They were all over Madonna about a detail like this, but, she didn't adopt a special needs child.

[LJR1974]

I think she was married Dec 07. I believe she's been in process almost a year.

I wonder if they made an exception b/c the baby is SN, or b/c Katherine's sister is Korean?

From everything I've read the baby seems to be coming from Korea.

I was initially really happy to hear the news, but now I'm wondering what Katherine's hours are like on a popular TV show and her husband's busy touring schedule. Having adopted a young toddler (20 months to the day at homecoming), that adjustment period can be very intense and difficult. You really need to spend as much time together bonding as possible. I hope they have the ability to take a lot of time together as a family.

[cborsa7]

Apparently, as I was told today from a friend who adopted from Korea, they do not have a policy in place that has to be followed, even though our government website say's they do and agencies list this as a requirement. The requirements are on an individual basis. I didn't realize this occured in adoptions. Apparently Taiwon was the same way.
I did find this interesting because the media was so into Madonna for her adoption but there hasn't been a mention of this at all. I'm not a supporter of Madonna, but it is funny how things get a different spin from celebrity to celebrity.

[LJR1974]

Katherine Heigl's Husband Calls New Baby 'Awesome!' - Babies, Josh Kelley, Katherine Heigl : People.com

[Jyoo-li-ang]

Originally Posted by cborsa7

Apparently, as I was told today from a friend who adopted from Korea, they do not have a policy in place that has to be followed, even though our government website say's they do and agencies list this as a requirement. The requirements are on an individual basis. I didn't realize this occured in adoptions. Apparently Taiwon was the same way.
I did find this interesting because the media was so into Madonna for her adoption but there hasn't been a mention of this at all. I'm not a supporter of Madonna, but it is funny how things get a different spin from celebrity to celebrity.

Does that mean it's ok to be single, and can still adopt from Korea?