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Go the Distance

Exploring International Adoption

Part One

By Michele St. Martin

Other issues are the ages of adoptable children, the particular health and developmental concerns children from certain geographic areas face and whether the country allows single parent adoption.

Currently the following countries have major adoption programs:

Additionally, adoption may be possible through other countries, but the programs may be informal ones or very few children are adopted.

"Korea is the pioneer in international adoptions," says Kay Harper, international adoption expert. "China has a well-defined and predictable process based on the Korean model of adoptions. Vietnam is the wild, wild west of the East." Harper, owner of the international adoption paperwork preparation service Dr. Dossier, explains that China and Korea offer a centralized program (meaning referrals and decisions are made for all of the country at one central location). In contrast, Vietnam's process is decentralized at the provincial level and although all provinces follow the same procedures, their execution varies from province to province.

Russia is the leader in international adoptions for U.S. adopters – more children are adopted annually from Russia than any other country. "Of the major international programs, Russia has one of the most streamlined, pragmatic processes," Harper says. "About three or four documents are actually sent to Russia prior to submission of the dossier. Forms are straightforward, and in many cases, just templates. The downside to Russia isn't the process; it is the concern over health."

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• Talk about it!