F.A.Q. International Adoption
1.) In what countries does Tree of Life Adoption Center have inter-country adoption programs?
Currently we have international adoption programs with the countries of Bulgaria, Haiti, Ethiopia, and Kazakhstan(currently closed to International Adoption; we have been notified that they are implementing the Hague and that as soon as that process is complete, they will be re-opening). Last Updated 1-14-11
2.) How long will it take to adopt a child?
The length the adoption process takes varies greatly depending on the international program that you decide to adopt from, the age, gender, ethnicity, and heath status and medical condition of the child you see in your family. Also, your ability to travel and your financial goal for the entire adoption must be considered. For more details on each program and the time it takes to adopt a child please visit here or request an information packet through our web site.
3.) What are the fees for the entire adoption? costs?
The costs of international adoption are set by the officials of the country from which you eventually choose to adopt and feel is the ‘best fit’ for your family. We can answer detailed information about adoption fee's with you directly, please contact us with your questions. This information is also available in our information packet which can be requested here.
4.) Are there income requirements for applicants?
YES; all pre adoptive parents must meet The US Poverty Guidelines for the year in which you wish to start your adoption and must be confirmed by providing your federal tax return to your social worker that is performing your home study. Specific to adoption, the USCIS requires 125% of poverty level for the family size after adoption.
5.) Does Tree of Life Adoption offer any financial assistance?
Often we are able to provide fee reduction for special need and older children. We can also direct adoptive parents to certain organizations that may help by providing grants and loans. We are always available to write a letter of support to any organizations that ask for verification of your adoption procedure.
6.) Can Tree of Life Adoption work with families who don't live in Oregon?
Absolutely: we are licensed to provide home study services in the states of Washington and Oregon; however, we can work with US citizen’s living in any state in the USA as your placing agency ( completing your adoption while assisting you to locate a home study agency local to your family). We also can work with and have experience working with US citizen’s living abroad to complete their adoption.
7.) What if I already have a completed home study?
If you have a completed home study either specific to one of the countries where we have an established program, and you have decided you would like to work with Tree of Life, simply contact us or request an information packet. To see our list of international programs that we work with please view our International Adoption Page. If you have a completed home study specific to a country in which we do not have a program and you decide you would like to adopt through TOL and through one of our programs, we can assist your home study agency to alter your home study specific to the parameters required by our country program.
8.) What if I move to another state during the adoption process?
A move during the process of adoption can certainly slow your process depending upon what stage the move takes place; as a general rule, it will require placing some new documents but each case will be evaluated and we will assist you to complete what documents/steps may be affected by a move.
9.) Is it possible to work with the domestic program and the international program at the same time?
Yes, provided that the adoptive parent situation allows for multiple placements and subject to home study approving for such placement.
10.) What if I get pregnant during the adoption process?
This is most often an agency decision and each agency has their own protocol; we would never place you in a position where you would be required to choose between a birth child or your adopted child. We would require you to notify us. You are the only ones who would make a decision to stop your adoption due to the anticipation of a birth child’s arrival. We can and will provide you with support to parent children who may be close in age and/or work to manage the timing of the arrival of your adopted child to the degree that we are able. Each family will be supported individually to provide the support needed to be equipped to parent successfully.
11.) I'm not sure which country I'd like to adopt from.
Please call and arrange to speak with one of our program coordinator’s and/or send an information inquiry through our web site and we can help you balance how you ‘see’ the child you hope to adopt along with the country program parameters to then allow you to make a decision.
12) Is Tree of Life Hague accredited? YES
