Ready To Ten Steps

International Assistance and Adoption Project

What do we do now?

Vietnam Program

China Program

What to expect when you receive your child

Waiting Children

International Assistance & Adoption Project

You've done a lot of soul searching and made the decision to adopt a child. Get ready for an emotional roller coaster, filled with ups and downs. The main thing we emphasize to our new parents-to-be is patience. There may be periods of time when it appears
that no progress is being made on your adoption. But hang in there!

This is a very basic checklist of ten steps you must follow before beginning the adoption.

1. Fill out IAAP application. You can obtain this by requesting our information packet by e-mail info@iaapadoption.com

2. Contact a home study agency licensed in your state about scheduling a visit.

3. Contact the nearest office of the United State Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) at 1-800-870-3676 and request an I-600 and I-600A form. The I-600A should be filled out and sent in as soon as you start your home study. The I-600 will be completed after the specifics are known about your child. You can also down load the forms at http://uscis.gov/graphics/.

4. Provide IAAP with the name of the home study agency you chose so we may provide them with specific items required.

5. Request that your agency send a copy of your home study to IAAP.

6. IAAP will send the home study, your dossier and our acceptance to Vietnam or China. The officials will use the home study to approve the family for adoption.

7. Vietnam or China will notify IAAP when a child is available for adoption.

8. After we notify you that
a child is available for you, you will recieve as much medical information and family history as is available. However, IAAP can't guarantee that all medical information will be available.

At this time, based on the available information, you can decide to accept or decline the child. If you decline the child, you will be put on a waiting list for another child.

9. After you have been approved by USCIS and you have accepted the referral of a child, at least one of the adoptive parents must go to Vietnam or China to sign the legal documents and to bring the child to the United States.

10. After you return, you should begin re-adoption proceedings in the United States.

Congratulations! You are ready to move on to make your plans.