Process Overview 

The international adoption process can vary greatly depending upon the country program you choose. Below you will find a general overview of steps that you can expect on your adoption journey, no matter what country program you choose. 

Step 1: Gather Initial Information 

  • Gather initial information about international adoption by completing an Information Request. Once this form is completed you will receive an email within 24 hours that provides you with a link to all of our initial information including our initial packet, country information sheets, country specific fee sheets, and our Adoption Services Agreement. 
  • Attend a Free Initial Adoption Information Seminar. If you are located in the Indianapolis area, please RSVP by visiting Seminar Schedule. If you are not located in the Indianapolis area, contact Stacy Jacobs or call 317-875-0058 to schedule your free initial telephonic consultation. 
  • If you are located in the Indianapolis area, and are interested in learning how to fund your adoption you are welcome to attend a free Affording Adoption Seminar. 

Step 2: Become an MLJ Adoptions, Inc. (MLJ) Family 

  • Complete and submit MLJ’s International Adoption Application for approval.
  • After the Application is approved, you will submit your signed Adoption Services Agreement, signed Fee Schedule, and initial payment for the country program from which you wish to adopt. 
  • You will then have access to your own personal Client Care page online that will allow you to track your entire adoption process step by step. On this page you will have access to the instructions and documents needed for each step in your process. Your Client Care page will keep you organized and supplement your relationship with your program director throughout your journey.

Step 3: Home Study 

  • You  will received an Adoption Preparation Guide that will explain the home study process and give Parents the list of documents they will need to collect, including various background checks, letters of recommendation for adoption, etc. 
  • Once you have collected the required documents, you will then submit them to your in-state agency’s offices.  
  • Your Home Study Coordinator will meet with your family at least the number of required times set forth by the country the Parents wish to adopt from and will visit the home.

Step 4: Adoption Preparation Education 

  • After completing the home study process, you will begin the required 10-20 hours of pre-adoption educational training.
  • This personalized program includes in-person or Skype lectures, online courses, quizzes and electives.  

Step 5: USCIS 

  • Once the home study is complete, you will be provided with a country specific guidebook on starting the immigration approval and international process for adoption. Your program director will work with you in completing this paperwork.
  • Once your I-600A or I-800A form is accepted by USCIS, you will be sent information for fingerprinting. (Each individual living in the home, over the age of 18, will need to complete the biometrics fingerprinting.)

 Step 6: Dossier Compilation

  • Instructions and forms for the dossier will be provided to Parents on their Client Care page after their home study is completed. Documents will need to be certified/authenticated/apostilled as required by the country.
  • Your program director will assist you through the dossier process and ensure that all documents are accurate and in order before submission to the country.

Step 7: Dossier Submission 

  • Submit your completed dossier to MLJ.
  • MLJ will have your dossier translated and sent to the appropriate international officials.

Step 8: Referral 

  • When a child has been identified as a potential match for you, your program director will provide you with all of the information that is received. The referral information may include pictures, medical reports, social history, date of birth, etc., as permitted by the country. 
  • MLJ always recommends that Parents consult an International Adoption Medical Specialist to review any information that they receive, so that they can best prepare themselves for when the child arrives.

 Step 9: Travel 

  • The amount and length of trips vary by country.
  • Parents will arrange a phone consult with their program director to prepare them for their trip and will be provided with a Travel Guidebook on what they will need to know prior to travel.
  • MLJ Adoptions will assist you in making all necessary travel plans.
  • You  will be met in-country at the airport and escorted in country to various required appointments.

Step 10: Post-Adoption 

  • Post-placement reports are required by MLJ and the child’s country of origin. How many reports are required will be based on the requirements of each respective country. These reports will include a visit to the home. These reports are submitted to the child’s country of origin. 
  • Parents will also complete the legal process of readoption in their respective state of residence. The state accepts the child’s foreign adoption decree as if the child was adopted in your state, so that they may receive the same rights and benefits and obtain an in-state birth certificate. The readoption process varies greatly from state to state.

Step 11: Support Services 

  • MLJ provides continued support to families after they bring their child(ren) home. We offer counseling, support calls, and support groups, based on the needs of each family to assist with the transition.