[laine]

My DH is Ad Air Force & we have just Psc'd to England. We are looking into adoption but have no clue where to start! How to get a home study done, what agencies in the States deals with adoptions while overseas? We searched the net many times but it's started to get very confusing, if anyone is in the same position or has already adopted while stationed in England please help!!

[alisonandrich]

We were stationed in the UK and found the family support centre at Lakenheath very helpful. They would conduct your homestudy that would then be valid for one year. Also there are many agencies that are happy to take on military families overseas, so don't dispair. We did not adopt while in England as we were transferred back but it is possible. Hope all works out.

[tatesgirl]

Hi Laine. I just wanted to let you know that my husband and I are also stationed at Lakenheath and I went to the Family Support Center about a month ago and signed out an adoption information packet. There was soooo much information. There was even a company that would come to England to do your homestudy for $850 and it included all costs for travel and the home study paperwork. However, the lady above who posted and stated that the Family Support Center will do the home study made my day! It will probably be free and they are probaby certified in the U.S. which is something I was concerned about. I highly advise that you call and ask about the packet. I spoke with a lady named Laurie or Laura Garrison (I belive that was her name). Lots of useful information-I promise! Good luck and if you want to talk more about the process, I would love to have someone local to talk to!

[missynoz]

we are also stationed in germany and trying to adopt a child from the states. we checked with the social serv. and acs on base and they are able to do the homestudy for us. the only thing holding us back right now is finding someone available over here to do the mapp (model approach to partnerships in parenting) classes with us that kansas requires. you can do an internet search and find many agencies (private and state) that will help you with the adoption process

[shaneandchrissy]

hello. I too am trying to adopt from the states while stationed in England. I have read what others have posted but I have to say that I contacted not only the Family Support at Lakenheath but also JAG and they told me the military won't do homestudies for leagal reasons. I then went to the ISS for a referal of an agency in the UK that can complete a homestudy approved by the states.
I hope this helps.

[Venessia]

Horray! I am so happy to have found this forum! Okay, now that I've got that off my chest, um, I have worldadoptions.org as a very promising site. I, too, am overseas and just begining the journey. My point of contact there is Vickie (vickie@worldadoptions.org) and she says that her agency can work with us. Hopefully that all pans out, but as I've said, we too are just starting out.
Just wanted to share the tid-bit I had, Venessia~

[dana_dane]

I am also stationed overseas (Ramstein, Germany) and am also interested in adopting a child from the US. I've done a lot of researched and have made a few phone calls. Tomorrow, I plan on calling VIDA. They advertise that they specialize in military overseas adoption. Have any of you found out anything else since your postings? I will let you know what I find out. It would be great if we all could keep in touch. VIDA's website is http://members.aol.com/vidaadopt/vida.html

[Venessia]

Hi Dana! Good to meet ya! Are you guys military living in Germany? Just curious.

We ended up reading through TONS of literature from a whole mountain of agencies, and we finally did make our decision. We chose to go with Children's House International because they were the most helpful. Even before we so much as sent in an application, they gave us gobs and gobs of info, like the answers to the I-600A and a whole bunch of other stuff, too. They work with American's living overseas (yes, even if you are military) who wish to adopt internationally. Of course, they also work with American's living in the States, as well. However, they have an incredibly helpful, sweet, intelligent, and supportive lady who deals with the clients living overseas, and she's a lawyer. Her name is Michele Jordan, and her email is mtjordan51@hotmail.com if you want to contact her. Honestly, I cannot even imagine doing this without her. CHI works to bring home children to their forever families from countries all over the world. I really think you'd be glad if you checked them out.

So Dana, do you have your homestudy done yet? Do you know who is going to do it? Michele found someone for me to do ours, and he lives in Germany. He's American, but he's lived there for a long time.

Well, good luck on building your family,
Venessia~

[jelleybean317]

Hello Everybody!
I've noticed it's kinda hard to find information about adoptions in Germany. My biological parent's were in the US Air Force and stationed in Germany when I was born. I was adopted by an American couple (also in the AF stationed in Germany). All the things that I have found on "International Adoption" are for Africa and Asia, not Europe. Does anyone have any advise for me?

Thanks - JB

[Venessia]

Wow Jellybean, what a unique situation! Unfortunately, I don't have any info for you, as I'm just sort of learning my way around, too. But I wish you the best!

Venessia~

[child4me]

Originally Posted by dana_dane

I am also stationed overseas (Ramstein, Germany) and am also interested in adopting a child from the US. I've done a lot of researched and have made a few phone calls. Tomorrow, I plan on calling VIDA. They advertise that they specialize in military overseas adoption. Have any of you found out anything else since your postings? I will let you know what I find out. It would be great if we all could keep in touch. VIDA's website is ADOPTION

I am researching adoption and also in germany.
have you found out if the base offers homestudy service?
Thanks!

[child4me]

Does anyone know if the base does homestudy service in Ramstein Germany?
Thanks!

[dana_dane]

Originally Posted by child4me

Does anyone know if the base does homestudy service in Ramstein Germany?
Thanks!

No, the base doesn't offer homestudy services. There are a few homestudy providers in the area, though. I also live in the Ramstein area, if you need info, you can email me at dana_dane@msn.com. Also, there is a very good Yahoo group called adoptionforamericansabroad.

[lareyna]

Hey ladies,

I am currently in Italy and had my homestudy done thru a USA agency that has social workers located in Germany. PM me for more info.

Currently waiting for my joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[child4me]

I found a couple of homestudy agencies that do homestudies for military in Germany. If any of you have used a good one can you PM me the price and how long it took.