Requirements for Adoption
International Adoption Agency Requirements
These intake eligibility requirements are a combination of adoption agencies, foreign countries, and immigration requirements. They are used to help us determine potential eligibility for an adoption in a foreign country.
1. Prospective adoptive families and orphans must meet eligibility requirements of the country from which they are adopting, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and their respective state laws.
2. One parent must be at least 25 years old to be accepted into an international adoption program. Please check specific age requirements for each country, as the age requirements could vary by adoptive country.
3. Prospective adoptive parents cannot have more than two (2) divorces per person. Two (2) divorces will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
4. Prospective adoptive parents must be married for one (1) year before applying to America World Adoption (AWAA). Single parent applicants who become engaged while in the adoption process will be required to suspend their adoption and re-apply as a married couple after their one-year anniversary. Please check program-specific program requirements as they may vary.
5. Single males are not permitted to adopt through AWAA.
6. Chronic illnesses, history of cancer, and other health concerns are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and in conjunction with country-specific adoption requirements.
7. Families being treated for mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We encourage families to check the specific requirements of the particular adoption program(s) of their interest for further details.
8. When applying to adopt, if you are pregnant, or have a child that is less than 6-months of age, you will be required to complete a Concurrent Family Building Application in addition to your adoption application.
9. Families who are in the process of adopting who become pregnant or desire to start a concurrent adoption will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Approval is based on the adoptive country requirements of both the family’s adoption program and the adoption program of interest, a social worker's recommendation, and agency approval.
10. America World requires that all prospective adoptive families have reasonable and sufficient resources to provide for all potential physical and mental health-related needs, for both themselves and their child(ren) to be adopted. (See our policy here: Adoptive Family Healthcare Coverage Policy). This typically does not include healthcare sharing programs (commonly referred to as Medi-share) due to exceptions in the coverage for pre-existing conditions or mental health. Families with this type of healthcare coverage will need to be assessed in the home study phase, using a request for an exception to this policy for consideration on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us if you have questions.
11. One or both prospective parents must agree and initial America World's Statement of Faith.
12. A prospective adoptive family, who has previously adopted, may apply for a subsequent adoption. The requirements of the application are dependent upon the family’s post-adoptive stage. Families who have finalized an adoption in under 6-months will be required to submit a Concurrent Family Building Application along with their full application. Acceptance into the program is dependent upon the social worker’s recommendation and America World’s approval. Families who have been home for 6 months or more may apply without submitting the Concurrent Family Building Application once a favorable 6-month post-adoption report has been received, reviewed and approved.
13. If prospective parents are applying for a subsequent adoption with America World Adoption, timeliness of their post-adoption/post-placement reports and AWAA's working relationship with the family during the previous adoption(s) will be taken into consideration in the determination of eligibility.
14. Police involvement and/or criminal record will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in conjunction with the adoptive country's requirements.
15. Any illegal drug use will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in conjunction with the adoptive country's requirements.
16. An adoptive family’s financial history is assessed to include assets, liabilities, net worth, income, and expenses. At a minimum, adoptive families must meet the USCIS income guidelines. Additional financial information may be needed to determine a family’s eligibility. Please check the specific country requirements as they may vary.
17. America World provides home study and other social services ONLY for the following purposes: international adoption, hosting, domestic adoption (where permitted by local licensing standards), foster care (where permitted by local licensing standards), and post-adoption/post-placement reports. America World is not equipped to conduct home studies for purposes of child custody disputes or other legal matters not related to aforementioned purposes. Individuals seeking these services should contact their local Domestic Relations Court for more information.
18. As part of the intake process, additional information may be required to determine eligibility. Failure to disclose important information may affect client’s eligibility. Please see note below.
Note: Applicants are expected to disclose any issues regarding health, criminal background, history of physical and sexual abuse, bankruptcy, financial stability, disabilities and special needs. Nondisclosure will impair America World’s ability to assess your eligibility and serve you. Please call the office or email (info@awaa.org) if you have questions or concerns about these items affecting your eligibility.
Note: Families who are eligible for multiple discounts (i.e. second time adopters, and pastors) will receive the highest discount for which they are eligible but the discounts are not cumulative.