International Adoption

We help children from across the globe find permanent loving families.

While rewarding for children and families, international adoption also has its challenges. For the adoptive family, each country has its own set of eligibility requirements, timelines, policies and procedures – and all are subject to change. For the child who is adopted, cultural, spiritual, emotional and physical needs may be shaped by connections to their birth country.
 

Our Philosophies

Children's Home Society & Family Services has been an adoption leader and innovator for over 120 years. We believe that every child has a fundamental right to security, opportunity, permanency and a loving family.  Through our experience we have come to know that, when efforts to help children stay with birth family or in their birth country aren't successful, intercountry adoption is a viable option for avoiding institutional care.

We are fully accredited to provide intercountry adoption services according to The Hague Adoption Convention and as recognized by the Federal U.S. Intercountry Adoption Act (IAA).

|  Our Experience  |  Ethics In Practice  |  Hague Accreditation  | 

Learning About Adoption

International adoption is complex and constantly evolving. Along side entering the process with an open heart, preparation through education and self-evaluation is paramount to the lifelong success of any adoption. Our goal is to provide you with access to a wide range of resources to help you make informed decisions that are right for you and your family.

|   Information Meetings  |  Service Fees and Expenses  |  Adoption Assistance Fund  |  Frequently Asked Questions  |
|  Single Parents and Adoption  |  Adoption Process  |  Adoption Resource Center  |  Country Programs  |

Taking The Next Step

Once you make the decision to pursue an adoption, you will begin a series of steps that comprise your adoption process. Although the order may vary based on your family circumstances and the program through which you intend to adopt, your first steps will be to identify an agency to complete your adoption home study (which will be Children's Home if you live in our direct service area of Minnesota, W. Wisconsin, Maryland and Virginia) and submit an adoption application to CHSFS.

We are unaware of international referral sources that place children with gay or lesbian persons. However, many gay and lesbian families have expanded through our domestic adoption programs.

|  Partner Agencies  |  Application  |

Working With Us

We are dedicated to promoting the caring, knowledge, and understanding that is needed to prepare you for the challenges and rewards of adoption and to support your family as it grows and matures. 

Our international adoption program staff is comprised of individuals who specialize in the adoption of children from each country with which we work. Most of our staff are uniquely qualified for their role; some are adoptive parents, others are adopted persons; some have traveled in their assigned country, others were born there; all have a passion for creating permanency for children in need.

|  Post-Adoption Services  |  Grievance Policy  |

For More Information

Click on the links above to learn more about CHSFS adoption programs, request an information packet, or register and create an account to gain access to our Resource Center section. 
|  email: welcome@chsfs.org  |  phone: 651.646.7771  |  toll-free: 800.952.9302  |