How to adopt husbands nephew from another country?

Question

so the nephew's parents both can NOT support him and are jobless and want to have someone support him. How do we adopt him? Is it as simple as having them sign over custody to us in that country and then filing I-600 in the usa and then after it is approved, then fly him over?

Answer 1

Totally depends on the country, but yes, since he is a relative, it is much easier.  I would suggest that you contact the Embassy for that country and ask them to direct you.  I personally know of only a few examples, and those couples actually went to the country and stayed there for weeks while the adoption process was completed (stayed with relatives usually).  The Visa to bring him into the country is another issue and I don't know exactly how that is handled.

Answer 2

It depends on the age of the child. If he is over 16 then you have a long hard road ahead of you. It also depends on your nationality. If one of you is still a citizen of the other country then you have the additional possibility of adopting in the other country and bringing this child into the US after the fact. You will need to of course get the visa approved. As another answer referenced this is totally dependent on the country too.

Answer 3

No, it is not that simple.  Intercountry relative adoption can actually be more difficult than intercountry adoption of a non-relative through an in place program.  USCIS (U.S. immigration) has guidelines for who qualifies as an orphan, and many times it is hard for children in a relative adoption to meet those guidelines.  It will depend on the country in which your husband's nephew lives, also.  You should consult an adoption attorney.  

Do they really want you to adopt the child, or do they want you to provide him a temporary place to live and financial support?  It may be possible for you to sponser him on an educational visa.  This would not be permanant and it would not be adoption, but perhaps might be the appropriate thing in this situation.

Answer 4

I don't know about internationally, but in the u.s. it is pretty simple to adopt a relative.  i adopted my nephew.  it was as simple as both parents signing papers saying they were placing him in my care, and then papers terminating their rights.  i then signed a petition for adoption.  an unnecessarily long but fairly straightforward process.  

it may work out easier for the nephew to come here for a visit and then start the process?

not sure if that helps at all.  i found that a lawyer specializing in adoption can quickly give you the protocol over the phone (and usually for free)