12 Best Countries to Adopt from Internationally

This list of 12 best countries to adopt from internationally will help you on the way to becoming parents.

Every year, many people start the long and complex process of adopting a child and starting a family. Becoming parents through adoption is not easy at all and sometimes it takes a while before you are allowed to take the child into its new loving home. There are laws you have to deal with before the adoption becomes final but in the end, it’s all worth it. Many future parents decide they want to adopt from another country. Americans who want to adopt a baby internationally have to deal with U.S. federal law, individual state laws as well as the laws of the country the child is from. That means a lot of paperwork and a lot of waiting.

If you are thinking of adopting and you’re wondering what countries are open for international adoption, you should familiarize yourself with the Hague Convention which applies to all adoptions by U.S. citizens adopting a child from another country. The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption is an international agreement concluded in 1993 in the Netherlands establishing international standards of practices for intercountry adoptions. 90 countries are party to the Hague Adoption Convention, including the United States. What this means for potential parents is that you may receive greater protections if you adopt from a Convention country. However, some of the most popular countries to adopt from are actually not parties to the Convention.

Before you can finally adopt a child, you have to go through a lot of screening and tests in order to determine whether you will provide a good home for the child. All these things cost so you should prepare to pay a lot. If you are not in a great financial situation, you are probably interested in knowing what the least expensive countries to adopt from are. While adopting from Thailand or Haiti may be cheaper than from other countries, you may also want to consider ways to adopt a child without a lot of money.

However, when thinking about adopting from another country, there are certain factors you must consider before you start the process. Adopting a child internationally means you are also adopting their culture and that child needs to grow up with a strong sense of identity and cultural heritage, according to International Adoption Guide. This is something you should not underestimate because the child’s background will always be present in his life to some extent, and the child has to be aware of who he is.

Many people don’t have a preference and they simply want to adopt a child in need of a loving home, but it is much better to have a certain country in mind. You must present valid reasons for adopting from that specific country when you sit down to talk with a social worker. They usually expect the adoptive parents to be well researched on the topic.  Of course, you should also consider the adoption criteria your desired country has because there is no point in wasting your time if you do not meet the criteria. Each country has certain criteria which may differ greatly, but be prepared to limit your choices as you may not fit all of them.

Defining the best countries to adopt from 2017 is tricky as everything is relative, indeed. We can, however, consider the easiest countries to adopt a child. By easiest, we mean countries whose adoption process takes less time and you can take your child to its new home faster than you would if you adopted from a different country. We wrote about it earlier in 10 Easiest Countries to Adopt a Baby From, so check it out.

Nothing is definitive in this aspect as well and while some parents find it easier to adopt from a certain country, another family may have a difficult time adapting. But these countries are known to require less time to complete the adoption process. According to Mom.me, you should pursue countries with established histories of international adoptions for bigger chances of a smooth adoption. We also considered experiences of many adoptive parents when making this list as well as Avvo Stories and Adoption. We compiled a list of such countries so let’s have a look at 12 best countries to adopt from internationally.

12. Taiwan

Taiwan is one of the countries you may want to consider adopting as both married couples and singles can apply. LGBTQ people may also adopt children from Taiwan. However, their marriages are not recognized. Taiwan requires you to take a short trip there, but only one parent must travel.

11. Uganda

Many adoptive parents decide to adopt a child from Uganda, the number 11 on our list of best countries to adopt from internationally, as there are many children in need of loving homes. Uganda does require both parents to foster their child in Uganda for at least 12 months. Uganda is not a party to the Hague Convention.

10. Haiti

A great number of families want to adopt from Haiti lately. Haiti allows both couples and singles to adopt, and you have to be at least 30 to adopt if you are a couple or 35 if you are single. Except not having a criminal record or being aged over 47, Haiti doesn’t seem to have any other significant requirements that would make the process complex.

9. Ukraine

Up next on our list of best countries to adopt from internationally is Ukraine which requires future parents to be married and not more than 45 years older than the child but other than that; there are no specific requirements that will slow down the process of adopting a child. Though Ukraine is not a party to the Hague Convention, many couples became parents through adopting from Ukraine, and the process is usually not very long. Apparently, this is one of the least expensive countries to adopt from.

8. Ethiopia

When it comes to adopting from Ethiopia, the process is smooth and easy. This country is very popular when it comes to international adoption as it allows both couples and single women to adopt. The process is much more simple compared to many other countries, and you are not required to travel. The child can be escorted to your home which saves you a lot of money.

7. Colombia

Colombia ranks 7th on our list of best countries to adopt from internationally. It allows both married or unmarried couples to adopt, and you must be at least 25 years old. The requirements for adoption seem to be less strict compared with other countries and the decision is yet to be made whether LGBTQ couples can adopt. Children available for adoption are younger than 6.

6. The Philippines

The adoption process may be a bit longer for the Philippines, but it’s worth it. The program is very well organized and traveling is required. Both male and female children are available for adoption, and usually, children are aged from 3 to 5 years old, so if you are looking to adopt an older child instead of an infant, the Philippines is a good choice.

5. India

India ranks 5th on our list of best countries to adopt from internationally. It is another great country to adopt from if you are ready to become a parent. Many children who are in need of parents are placed in orphanages in India, and so this country needs adoptive parents. India doesn’t require you to travel there, so this saves you a lot of money and trouble. The country also has a reputation for a stable adoption process.

4. Kazakhstan

Lately, Kazakhstan has been one of the top countries to adopt from due to its growing adoption program. Adoptive parents are required to reside in the country twice before the adoption process is completed and both male and female children are available for adoption although male orphans are more common than female. Children are usually aged 1 or older.

And now, let’s see the top three best countries to adopt from internationally.

3. Thailand

Thailand is known for having an efficient adoption program that allows you to take your child home much faster than other countries. The fees are much lower compared to other countries as well so it seems like a reasonable choice if you and your significant other want to become parents.

2. South Korea

Many parents decide for South Korea adoption for many reasons. The country has a very efficient international adoption program which is also the oldest. Countries who have a long history of smooth international adoptions like South Korea are more likely to give you a child without any major issues. South Kora doesn’t require you to travel to the country in order to get a child, and you can adopt a child aged six months and up.

1. China

Though travel is required in order to adopt from China, the country has a great adoption program and a long history of international adoptions and so it’s ranked first on our list of 12 best countries to adopt from internationally. Children available for adoption are usually girls, babies or older, but special needs children are available too. The program for adopting special needs children is just as efficient. Parents must be at least 30 years old to adopt from this country. China is also party to the Hague Convention.