[mewhite]

I am a US citizen married to British citizen living in England. We are interested in Int. adoption. Is there anyone out there with experience in this situation? Can I use US based adoption agencies? Are there UK based agencies that work with Int. adoptions? Who can do home study?

Thank you.

[Robin Harritt]

The folks to consult in the first instance are BAAF see http://www.baaf.org.uk/ for contact details and much useful info.

And before anyone decides to remove that as advertising. BAAF is not an adoption agency it is a non-profit organisation advising agencies and individuals and the government on all aspects of adoption.

See also our government's website for intercountry adoption in the UK

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/adoption/intercountry/

Adoption in the UK is not the eezy-peezy thing it is in the USA, (well relitively anyway) . You don't say where you are resident but I'm guessing you'd find it a whole lot easier over there, if you want to live in England move (back) here when the adoption is finalised.

Robin

[JulesD]

My husband and I are US citizens living in the UK. We've found a couple of agencies who do international adoption that will work with US citizens. If you're interested in the agencies, feel free to email me at julseyp@hotmail.com and I'll dig out my info. for you and pass on the names of the agencies.

[mewhite]

Thank you for your messages. I have checked out the BAAF and the government website. There is so much information to sort through. As you say, it does seem that agencies in US are better suited to Int. Adoption. But, we live in UK with no plans to go back to US. JulesD, I have sent you an email.

Many thanks.

[pdo]

Hi and welcome to the boards!
You can also adopt independently.
Here's a great contact person for you.

Tanya, the St. Petersburg coordinator is a bona fide adoption expert. She has seen over 120 placements to
completion since 1994. Many of these families adopted
older children, with fantastic results, most stay in
contact.

Two of her recent families are from Ireland, and have beautiful little boys. After working with them, both Tanya and the Russian authorities are very impressed with the Irish adoption system--the parents come well-prepared after a very meticulous screening process. Tanya is very much looking forward to working with a British family, since evaluation process is just as efficient.

She is also involved in a variety of humanitarian
projects that serve the orphanages' many needs. Tanya
always goes "the extra mile" to ensure all the
family's needs are met, and there are no surprises.
Her Russian team is highly efficient as
well-everyone's very satisfied with the whole
experience.

Tanya would be glad to tell you more about the
process, including the fees involved. I know her fees
are on average 50% lower than an agency's. Rates can
be negotiated/adjusted based on special circumstances--e.g. older sibling groups, repeat customers, etc.

Feel free to e-mail me and I'll get you in touch with
Tanya. She is in Russia at the moment.
Extensive references are available upon request.
Good luck with your adoption panel, or if you're already approved, congratulations!
Warm Regards,
Polly

[mewhite]

Thank you for your reply.

In my various internet searches I have found that Russia requires the prospective adoptive parents and the agency or agent to reside in the same country. Do you know if this is true?

Am I correct in thinking that our local authority will need to do the home study? Or can an Independent agency/agent do it?

Many thanks.

M.E. White

[pdo]

Yes, that is correct.
You will have to go to the British adoption authorities to get the home study done (just as if you were doing a UK adoption). Then you'll need the Panel's approval to adopt. The Irish procedure is fairly similar. I've also heard UK adopters are required to complete approximately 2 years worth of parenting classes.
I would advise you to read up on immigration laws to the UK, as they are quite stringent. Best of luck to you. If you'd like to speak with Tanya about this, just let me know.
Regards,
Polly

[kimmy12]

I am an an adoptee from hongkong who was adopted through International Social Services back in 1967 to parents living in the UK. My parents were given acess to Barnardos in Honkong and through working with both agencies my adoption was completed. I have benifited greatley in been giving extensive documentation about the background of my birth parents and why i was given away by them to such an extent that there is no need to trace them as all answers were saved and passed on by both agencies to my parents. I write the last part as only to the reference that in the USA you can only have closed adoptions(no information given) or open adoptions where the birth parents are known and can activly be involved with the adoptee child there are various degrees. with speaking to other adoptees and there long serch for their birth parents iwas lucky so please what ever you decide think of your adopted child she or he may one day want to know where they came from. Good luck. if handled caefully you and your adopted child can have the best of both worlds.