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Originally Posted By Holly

I wanted to share with you what I've recently learned about the LDSFS International Adoption Program. These comments were shared by a family who is currently enrolled in the program. For more information you should contact LDSFS Headquarters in SLC and ask for Dana Templeman. You may want to submit your question online through the http://www.itsaboutlove.org website.

"Anyone seriously interested probably should get hold of Dana about the cost and countries, because that varies depending on the couple and current political situations." - LDSFS wanted to set a flat rate that was the same as the current domestic program, but because the costs are so substantial this was not possible.

"The first two groups are working with Marshall Islands, China, Kazakhstan, India, Vietnam, Bolivia and one other Latin America country that I can't remember. This could easily change for a third group, depending on how these countries work out with the first two groups." - The first group of ten are already in the process. The second group are in the process of completing their homestudies and paperwork.

"The paperwork isn't any harder; but there is more. You have to do all the LDSFS stuff, plus other things for the INS and other things for whatever country you're going to." - The travel is more expensive than domestic and each country will vary. I know one family has already spent $300 on immunizations and still aren't finished with that yet.

I hope that this information is helpful. I hope folks don't get discouraged about the cost or details. I think it is wonderful that the agency is now facilitating international adoptions. With their help many will be able to do this who otherwise could not have done so.

God Bless,

Holly