What is a foreign adoption?

Foreign adoption is the adoption of a child from a foreign country by someone living in the state of Florida. This type of adoption is a lengthy and complicated process as prospective adoptive parents must comply with the laws of both Florida and the foreign country of the child. Each country sets their own guidelines and requirements for how an adoption needs to occur. In the state of Florida, the adoption process begins with a home study conducted by an approved adoption agency. The adoptive parents must also be found “suitable” before the adoption can move forward. Once the adoptive parents have been approved, they will work with the foreign country to proceed with the adoption. In some countries, such as China, the adoptive parents must travel to the foreign country in order to meet the children they are considering for adoption. Once the adoption is finalized, the state of Florida will issue an adoption decree, granting the adoptive parents full parental rights and privileges. International adoptions can take a significant amount of time and money to complete, and there are a number of legal complications that can arise along the way. This is why prospective adoptive parents should consult with an experienced adoption attorney with knowledge of adoption law in both Florida and the foreign country before beginning the process.

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What is a foreign adoption?

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