What is the difference between a domestic and an international adoption?

Domestic and international adoptions in Virginia differ in several important ways. Domestic adoption is the process of adopting a child from within the United States or its territories. This typically involves newborn babies, although sometimes older children can be adopted in this way. Adoptive families must receive approval from a court in the state where the adopted child is located. The adoptive parents must attend various meetings and classes to be approved and the process can take several months or even years. International adoption is the process of adopting a child from a foreign country. Unlike domestic adoption, international adoptions involve a much more complex process that requires court approval from both the home country of the adopted child and the United States. Depending on the country, there can be a variety of additional requirements, such as documents, medical exams, home visits, and in-person meetings. International adoptions also tend to take longer than domestic adoptions, with the entire process often taking a year or more. In both cases, the adoptive family is responsible for all the expenses associated with the adoption process. This means that prospective adoptive parents should research the laws and regulations both in the country from which they wish to adopt, and in the state of Virginia, to ensure a smooth process.

Related FAQs

How does adoption affect the extended family?
Are there any special requirements for adopting an older child?
What are the rights and responsibilities of adoptive parents?
What is the Adoption and Safe Families Act?
How can I support a birth mother who is considering adoption?
Can I adopt a child and bring them to the US?
What documents do I need for adoption?
How do I terminate parental rights?
How do I choose an adoption agency?
How do I adopt if I am a single parent?

What is the difference between a domestic and an international adoption?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts