Questions About Adoption
International Adoption FAQs:
A: A typical international adoption process can take anywhere from 12–36 months, with the average time being around 18–24 months. How long you may wait to be united with a child will depend on the program you select and the child (age, gender, race, siblings, special needs) you are hoping to adopt. Review our Adoption Guide for program specific time frames.
A: Wide Horizons For Children welcomes all types of families. We know the criteria for a loving, supportive family isn’t a quantitative measurement of age, marital status, or family size. However, we work with child welfare officials in many different countries, each of which has their own individual requirements that prospective parents must meet. Your eligibility will differ depending on the program. As an inclusive agency, we offer a range of options for singles, older parents, large families, and LGBTQ+ parents. Schedule a personal phone consultation to explore your eligibility.
A: Boys and girls of all ages are in need of adoption. Most children adopted internationally range in age from 2 years old to teenagers when they join their family. Many children are physically healthy, but have experienced a tough start in life. Still other children may have a medical or developmental need. We know importance of working closely with each family to understand your openness and capacity as parents. This personalized approach helps ensure each child finds the family that was meant just for them.
A: Wide Horizons For Children believes in transparency in adoption pricing. International adoption is a significant financial undertaking for most families. Costs range between $30,000 – $50,000 for most WHFC adoptions. The cost of an adoption depends on the range and type of adoption services provided; the program selected; and related expenses, such as travel. Fee schedules for our each of our programs can be found in our Adoption Guide. There are many opportunities to make adoption more affordable through subsidies, grants, and tax credits and workplace benefits.
A: From the moment you choose to start your international adoption with Wide Horizons For Children, your adoption team will guide you every step of the way. You’ll never be a number, but instead work with a small adoption team that will personally know your family and lead you with support and expertise. We’ll make the process manageable. Whether it’s helping you with the initial adoption paperwork or expertly planning your travel when you meet your child, you’ll be happy to have trusted Wide Horizons to help grow your family.
Home Study FAQs:
A: Probably. If you are adopting through a WHFC program and live in MA, NH, VT, NJ or parts of NY*, the answer is a resounding “Yes”. If you live in those areas, but wish to adopt domestically or from a country not represented by WHFC, see the guidance below.
* New York City, Long Island and the counties of Albany, Colombia, Duchess, Fulton, Green, Montgomery, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Sarasota, Schenectady, Schoharie, Ulster, Warren, Washington, and Westchester.
International: Due to U.S. regulations, all international adoptions must have a Primary Provider, a U.S. accredited adoption agency who oversees the adoption case, has experience in the particular country of adoption, and ensures certain standards are maintained that reflect the laws of the sending country. Agencies specialize in particular countries and WHFC only acts as primary provider for Colombia, Burundi, and The Philippines. This means that we can provide your home study services if you are adopting through a WHFC program or a program of another U.S. accredited adoption agency. If you have interest in a country WHFC does not represent, we can easily provide you with referrals to agencies who work in your country of interest.
Domestic: WHFC is happy to partner with most out of state placement agencies or attorneys. However, there are state to state nuances so please consult with us before determining that you wish to work with a specific out of state resource. For example, families in Massachusetts need to work with agencies only, not attorneys directly.
A: It depends. Even if you have a connection abroad, you must still identify a Primary Provider agency (U.S.-based accredited agency) as described above. WHFC can be a Primary Provider in Colombia, Burundi, and The Philippines only. For other countries, another Primary Provider must be identified and WHFC can provide local services only. We are happy to offer some suggestions of Primary Providers should you need them.
A: For comprehensive fee information, please download our Adoption Guide. Home study costs are built into the fee sheets for each of our country programs. Additionally, there is a fee sheet specific to cases in which WHFC is providing local services (home study and post placement) only.
