Ethiopia Adoption Process

Ethiopia Adoption Program: The Process

Families should receive a referral in 3-9 months from the time the dossier is submitted to Ethiopia; potentially less time for children over the age of 4. The waiting time from referral to travel is 2-3 months. Applicants will wait the longest who limit their request to a female infant or to twins. Families are needed for children over the age of 5 years, sibling groups and children with minor to major special needs.

1	Apply to Children's Hope Download Application Here
2	Get a Home Study Children's Hope will arrange it.
3	Collect Your Papers Your CHI personal adoption consultant will direct you in preparing a dossier of documents Click here for list.
4	Send in CIS Form Your consultant will assist you to get advance USCIS approval for the adopted child to enter the US. Document download here.
5	Send Papers and Wait When all the documents are ready, we will check the dossier and send it to Ethiopia for submission to the government.
6	Referral Usually it takes about 3 months to get your papers collected to send to Ethiopia. A short time after that you will receive a referral. Upon your acceptance of the referral, it will be about two months before you travel. You will be in country about 5-7 business days.
7	In-Country Process You will be represented by the in-country representative of Children's Hope who obtains the legal documents, represents you in court, applies for the child's passport, provides the medical exam, and appears at the US Embassy for a Visa, prior to your arrival.
8	Travel You will be accompanied and assisted the entire time you are in the country by a bi-lingual Children's Hope staff person.
9	Upon Return Home Your personal consultant will advise you of any procedures for citizenship, applying for the $11,390 tax credit (2007) and any other necessary steps.
Approximate Cost: $11,167 for the adoption- Travel $4,050 + Please see Costs and Timeline for the break down and estimated additional costs

General Information

A photo and available medical information is provided upon referral of the child. All children are tested during the process for HIV, Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and venereal disease.

For more information, contact a Jennifer at Jennifer.Chavis@ChildrensHope.net

or call 314-890-0086 to speak to a member of the Ethiopia team.