For many adoptive families, international travel is one of the most anticipated parts of the entire adoption process.
It’s also one of the most intimidating.
Some families have traveled internationally many times. For others, this may be their first trip outside the United States—and this trip comes with far more emotion and responsibility than an ordinary vacation.
Our job is to help you feel prepared and supported.
Before You Book Your Flight
International adoption travel isn’t simply a matter of choosing dates and buying plane tickets.
Certain approvals and immigration steps may need to be completed before you are permitted or advised to travel. Requirements also vary significantly by country.
KidsFirst schedules travel preparation calls with families based on the country and individual case. We coordinate with our in-country partners regarding appropriate travel dates, lodging options, transportation, meetings, and other logistics.
Before you leave, we’ll walk through the details with you.
What Happens When You Arrive?
Your in-country coordinator will be an important source of support throughout the trip.
Depending on the country and your arrangements, the coordinator may meet you at the airport or at another predetermined location. The coordinator also helps arrange required meetings and appointments, which may involve government organizations, social services, foster families, orphanages, medical providers, or other individuals involved in your child’s case.
You will have contact information for your coordinator, and the KidsFirst team remains available to support you from the United States—including when unexpected questions or concerns arise outside normal business hours.
We’ll Help You Prepare for the Important Conversations
Meeting your child is only one part of the trip. This may also be your opportunity to gather valuable information from the people who have cared for them.
Before you travel, we’ll help you think through what to bring and what questions to ask.
Depending on your child’s situation, you may want to learn more about daily routines, food preferences, sleep, comfort strategies, medical care, developmental history, behaviors, relationships with caregivers, and known biological family history.
Small pieces of information can become incredibly meaningful as you begin parenting your child.
Your Comfort Matters, Too
We work hard to support families as they begin bonding and building a relationship with their child. But we also want families to know something important:
If something feels concerning or significantly different from what you were prepared for, tell us.
Contact your coordinator. Contact KidsFirst. Ask questions.
Traveling internationally does not mean you must ignore serious concerns simply because you’ve already come this far.
If, after gathering information and receiving appropriate support, you determine that moving forward is not right for your family or the child, we want you to communicate that.
It is better to acknowledge significant concerns than to make a lifelong commitment you do not believe your family can appropriately fulfill.
International adoption requires flexibility, patience, courage, and a strong support system. Whether you’re an experienced international traveler or you’ve never owned a passport before, our goal is for you to know where you’re going, what comes next, and who to call when you need help.
And while many international adoptions begin when parents decide they want to grow their family through adoption, some begin very differently—with a phone call about a child who is already part of their extended family.
