DIY International Adoption

[Skyler]

DH and I are just starting to look into adoption.  We are drawn to international adoption, specifically El Salvador - the country DH is from (and where we lived together for several years before moving to the US, where I am from).  I have contacted a few agencies that place children from El Salvador, but I am wondering if it might be a possibility for us to do some of the coordinating ourselves.  We can fly back and forth as DH works for an airline, and we have lots of family there that could help us as well.  Also, since DH is a citizen of El Salvador, I am hoping that will make the process easier from us, even though we plan to live in the US.  

I know it is way way less complicated, but we did do all our immigration paperwork ourselves (for DH to get his fiance visa and then green card) and it left me wondering why anyone would pay a lawyer for that.  But, like I said, I know the process of international adoption has to be way way more complicated, so I don't really know why I bring that up.

I picture us starting the process by visiting with orphanages in El Salvador and talking to them about it.  Am I crazy for thinking we might be able to do a lot of this ourselves?  The fees just seem so overwhelming (around $12,000 to $18,000 according to what I have seen on websites).  How much of those fees are for the coordination and referral process (that we could possibly do ourselves), and how much would be fixed no matter how you coordinate the adoption (immigration fees, donation to the orphanage, etc)?  

I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has adopted internationally.  Thank you in advance!!!  

[Polliwog]

You may have come across this information in your search already, but if not, it looks very useful.

http://library.adoption.com/articles/international-adoption-el-salvador.html

[Tjej]

I haven't adopted, but I know what you mean about looking at adoption fees and comparing it to hiring a lawyer to do immigration paperwork (we did our own as well).  I think it is worth it to a lot of people because they don't have the time to figure stuff out for themselves, and it is easier not to re-invent the wheel.  But I'd bet that with your travel savings (flight, stay) you'd pay a lot less either way you went.

Polliowg - that is a very informative website!  I'll have to dig around and see what they have about other countries.

Tjej 

[Polliwog]

Many countries don't allow independent adoptions, only agency adoptions. That's why you don't hear about many of them.

[Diane B]

Originally Posted by Polliwog 

You may have come across this information in your search already, but if not, it looks very useful.

That info looks a bit out of date - the last data is from 2001.  Here's the current info from the US State Department: 

http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=el_salvador

There's a ton of info here, but the following seemed important to note regarding independent adoptions:

The first step in adopting a child from El Salvador is to select an adoption service provider in the United States. Because El Salvador is a Hague Convention country, adoption services must be provided by a Hague accredited agency, approved person, supervised provider, or exempted provider. Only agencies and attorneys can provide adoption services between the United States and El Salvador. Learn more.

In addition, the adoption service provider must also be authorized by El Salvador's designated Central Authority for Adoptions, OPA. Prospective adoptive parents interested in adopting from El Salvador should contact OPA for up-to-date information prior to initiating a new adoption process. As of February 2011, the following U.S. Hague accredited adoption service providers have also been accredited to provide services in El Salvador: The Open Door Adoption Agency, Hope Cottage, Inc., American World Adoptions, All Blessings Adoptions, Villa Hope, Inc., Christian Adoption, Inc., Adoption Hope International, Inc., Americans for International Aid and Adoptions, Madison Adoption Associates. Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services.

[Polliwog]

Thanks Diane. I didn't really look at the dates. It just was one of the first links that popped up in my search.

[Skyler]

Thanks for the replies!  I guess that makes sense, it's probably that most countries require that you use an accredited agency.  And maybe that is for the best, I know in Guatemala there were some alleged cases of babies being stolen from families to "sell" them to foreigners, so they must want to regulate things tightly.  I will look at the agencies you both provided in the links - Thank you so much for the very helpful information!  We may have to forget about El Salvador for now anyway, as I found out that they require a couple to be married for FIVE YEARS before adopting.  That seems too long, especially if you married later in life. 

[Skyler]

Tjej,

I know, I have a friend who pad $5,000 to a lawyer for the fiance visa, and that seemed like a lot to me since we had done it all on our own, but I guess it may be worth piece of mind for some, or if you have a complicated situation.  You're right, we will at least save on a large part of the expense - Travel to and from the foreign country and room/board while we stay there!  That is huge!