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Ten Steps of International Adoption

 Step 1 Home Study

AT will complete your Homestudy if you are a Maryland, DC or VA resident: $1,450

(Additional fees may apply for VA residents when adopting from some countries.)

  • Complete application and enclose the initial installment of $450 for the home study
  • Our Social Worker will meet with you to explain the process
  • You will be given a list of the documents you will need to collect
  • Submit the documents along with final payment of $1000
  • Our Social Worker will meet with you 2-3 times
  • Our Social Worker will write your Home Study Report
  • Adoptions Together may also accept Home Study Reports prepared by other Maryland Licensed agencies

Out of State Residents: $ per agency

  • Arrange with a Licensed Agency in your state to provide your Home Study
  • Submit to us your approved Home Study along with a copy of the agency's license

Before the home study is conducted, families should verify that they meet the basic requirements of the country from which they wish to adopt by checking the country requirements on the State Department Web Site . If the country is not listed on the State Department website, you should check with your placement agency or attorney to ensure that you meet the requirements of the country for international adoption. Families are encouraged to discuss these requirements with their home study social worker during the first home study visit.  

 Step 2 Registration for International Program: $500

  • Complete the Application.  Click here for MD/DC residents.  Click here for VA residents.
  • Submit application to the Baltimore office with registration fee of $500
  • We will email you our International Information Book and mail you an Adoption Contract

    We recommend that you apply to the International program as soon as you submit your application for a home study so that the International Information Book can be emailed to you right away.

 Step 3 Submission of Contract (First Installment of Agency Fee) $2600

  • Submit your signed and witnessed Adoption Contract
  • Include $2600: the first installment of our non-refundable agency fee
  • We will send you all of the dossier forms with detailed instructions
  • Our Family Coordinators will assist you in completing the dossier and will ensure that your documents are accurate and in order

 Step 4 Passport

  • Apply for a passport or ensure that your current passport will be valid throughout your projected time of travel

 Step 5 File Form I-600A (Fee Submitted to USCIS) $750 (Fee includes one person to be fingerprinted)

  • USCIS clearance takes approximately 4-12 weeks for completion, so we recommend that you file your I-600A form after your homestudy visits are completed and while you are waiting for the final report.
  • Download form
  • Mail I-600A application, $750 fee, and copies of required documents to USCIS along with a letter explaining that your Home Study will be forwarded upon completion.
  • Parents and each adult over 18 years of age, living at home any part of the year, must be fingerprinted – $80/person (separate from the homestudy fingerprints)  

 Step 6 Submission of Dossier: (Second Installment of Agency Fee) $4000

  • Submit your completed dossier
  • Include $4000: final payment of our non-refundable agency fee
  • Include other fees required by country for registration, translation, etc.
  • We will have your dossier translated and sent to the appropriate foreign officials
  • After you have submitted your dossier, sign up for one-day Adoption Seminar dedicated to adoption from your country.

 Step 7 Child Referral & Program Fee $/Country

  • When we have identified a child for you, we will provide pictures, medical reports and videos whenever possible
  • If requested, we will provide alternative referrals as promptly as possible
  • To accept a referral, sign and submit a Statement of Acceptance Form
  • Include payment of the designated portion of the Program Fee
  • Each country program defines the amount and schedule of payment for the Program Fee

 Step 8 Travel

  • The number of trips and travel timeframes vary by country
  • We will notify you of your travel dates
  • We will assist you in making your travel plans

 Step 9 Arrival in Country

  • We will help you every step of the way.
  • You will be escorted (with an interpreter) throughout your stay in the country
  • Upon obtaining your child's US visa, you may bring your child HOME!

 Step 10 Post-Placement Services $350 per report

  • Post-placement reports are required by:
    USCIS, Adoptions Together and by each Host Country
  • We provide post-placement services for Maryland, DC & VA residents
  • Your Home Study agency will provide your post-placement services
  • The number of post-placement reports is determined by country
  • All post-placement fees must be paid prior to final travel