International Adoption- Do you have to have an agency, or can you do everything yourself?

Question

Can you file all paperwork, etc. yourself or do you HAVE to go with an agency to adopt internationally. Specifically Kazakhstan.

Answer 1

Please be careful about not using an agency. I would hate for you to put time and financial resources into an adoption that didn't pan out. Adoption is an emotional investment and there are those who will prey on potential parents. The agency we went through has been around for decades. They have a wonderful reputation and we were guaranteed a child for our money. Had our chosen country closed its doors to adoption, we would have been able to get a child from a different country. If the child we chose was suddenly not available, we would have been given the opportunity to choose another child. We knew that there was a child waiting for us and we weren't throwing our money away. Do you homework and please use an agency. A good agency is like insurance for the adoptive parent. They can also prepare you better for the process before you get a child and help with any issues afterwards. Best wishes to you.

Answer 2

Some countries do allow private adoptions.  Not sure about Kazakhstan in particular, however.

It is EXTREMELY risky, all-around.  Most PAPs don't have the knowledge and/or resources necessary to navigate an adoption system in a foreign country. Not to mention the forms through immigration, including re-adoption in the United States, which is often necessary and always recommended.  Throw in translating documents into a different language as well.

So, you don't HAVE to (depending on the country) but you are running a huge risk.

Answer 3

You can do it on your own, but you should get legal counsel. Because this is a big thing and you need a lawyer on your side. So I think it would be best if you did it through a trusted company.

Answer 4

You nearly always need to have an agency unless you are willing to relocate yourself to that country for months.  The problem isn't so much about getting the child in some countries, it is getting the exit visa and the visa for the baby to come into the US.