Is International Adoption Right for Your Family? A Practical Checklist

Adoption should be motivated by a commitment to parent a child, not to "rescue" or to fix personal problems. International adoption options and volumes have shifted since the late 1990s as countries reform policies and emphasize family-based care. Prospective parents should clarify motivations, understand legal and cultural dimensions, explore domestic alternatives, and work with accredited professionals.

Ask why you want to adopt

Adoption can build a family, but it is not the right solution for every problem. If your primary reason is to "rescue" a child, to fix a troubled marriage, or to select a child for perceived talents (IQ, athletic ability, etc.), adoption is unlikely to meet those expectations. These motivations often lead to disappointment for both parents and children.

Better reasons to adopt

Consider adoption if you have a steady, mature love for children and the willingness to accept and parent a child who was not born to you. Successful adoptive families typically show flexibility, patience, and a readiness to support a child's identity and medical or developmental needs.

International adoption can be an appropriate path when you want to expand your family to include an infant, toddler, or older child; when you are prepared to parent across cultural and racial lines; and when you see adoption as a lifelong commitment rather than a short-term solution.

The landscape has changed

Intercountry adoption is very different today than it was two decades ago. Many countries have tightened procedures, shifted children to domestic care or foster systems, or changed their adoption laws. As a result, the annual number of children adopted into the United States from other countries has dropped significantly since the late 1990s.

At the same time, more countries and agencies emphasize family-based care, kinship placements, and foster care alternatives to institutionalization. Millions of children worldwide remain without adequate family care, but the scale and location of institutionalized children have shifted over time.¹

Practical considerations before you start

• Learn the legal and immigration requirements. International adoptions involve both sending-country rules and your country's immigration process.

• Prepare financially and emotionally. Adoption expenses, travel, medical needs, and potential post-adoption support can add up.

• Expect cultural and identity questions. Plan for openness about the child's birth origins, and seek resources for transracial parenting if relevant.

• Explore domestic options. Foster-to-adopt and domestic private adoption may be viable alternatives depending on your goals and timeline.

• Find reputable providers. Work with accredited adoption agencies and ask about their home study, post-placement support, and compliance with the Hague Adoption Convention if applicable.

Final thought

Adoption can be deeply rewarding when families proceed for thoughtful, child-centered reasons and prepare for the long-term responsibilities. If you are considering international adoption, start by clarifying motivations, researching current country programs, and speaking with experienced adoption professionals and adoptive families.

1. Confirm recent annual number of intercountry adoptions to the United States (e.g., 2019 and latest available year) from the U.S. Department of State.
2. Verify current estimates of the number of children living in institutions or orphanages worldwide from UNICEF or comparable sources.
3. Check which major sending countries have changed or restricted intercountry adoption programs since 2000 and whether they participate in the Hague Adoption Convention.