International Adoption
OUR PROGRAMS
KidsFirst International Adoption recently received our reaccreditation through Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity (IAAME) and have been Hague-accredited since 2007. We are one of just a handful of Hague-accredited international adoption agencies. The Hague Convention has been ratified by more than 75 countries and was created as a way to establish protections for children, birth parents, and adoptive parents. Our commitment to ethical adoption practices means we only work in countries which have a clear process for declaring children orphans and in need of an adoptive family.
We place children from the ages of 1 year to 16 years. In recent years, we see mostly school age children or children with special needs. We are committed to finding loving homes for these children, and we work closely with adoptive families to understand their hopes and preferences. Sibling groups are also looking for homes.
Due to Hague requirements, all adoptive families must complete a minimum of 10 hours of adoption-related education before their home study can be finalized. We have partnered with Adoption Learning Partners and other professionals to offer this education online. The fees are set by ALP and are subject to change. KidsFirst also maintains a lending library and educational resource binder, both of which are available to families at all times.
We are very intentional in our work with children and families. if it is too much for the family, the child will not benefit from that placement. This is the reason we want to understand your limitations, taking into consideration personalities and ages of other children at home and your life commitments and expectations.
See our Information Packet.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
One-On-One Communication
One-on-one communication with adoptive parents to ensure that they fully understand which programs and situations are best for them.
Responsive Help
Close communication with our representatives abroad and timely responses when issues arise.
Information
We will provide you with as much information as possible to ensure that both the needs of the child and adoptive family are considered as we find a match.
ADOPTION IN BULGARIA
Bulgaria has a very straight-forward and transparent adoption process, which generally requires short stays in Bulgaria. Our overseas team is knowledgeable about the well-being of the children and will provide information about the child’s health including the physical, social, and psychological development of the child. We always push for as much medical and social history as possible. We are always open to a consultation with the family, and provide honest and transparent answers to your questions. We have done adoption for over 22 years and will always share our knowledge with the family. We have a waiting child program in Bulgaria to match children with adoptive parents. We maintain constant communication with our overseas partners to find waiting children who will be a good match with our adoptive parents.
Parent Eligibility
- Couples and single women
- Must be at least 25 years old
- Cannot be more than 50 years older than the child
Child Profiles
- Children range in age from 2 to 15 years old.
- We see that most younger children have significant special needs, so we spend time talking to families regarding what they can and can’t handle.
- Children are mostly raised in orphanages, however, they may also be in foster homes.
- The children being placed for adoption are generally of Roma or Turkish descent. Bulgaria also has a large Slavic population.
- Bulgaria provides very detailed referral information. Each child’s referral includes a picture, detailed medical report, and sometimes videos. Additional information can be provided through our international coordinators.
- We see a reasonably short wait if families are open to adopt a child with Down Syndrome.
- We see a number of sibling groups and children ages 10 and up.
- We feel Bulgaria is a good fit for families who are open to older children and sibling groups and are hoping to adopt a child with Down Syndrome.
- Adoption from Bulgaria is also a good fit for families who understand and are open to certain special needs.
Average Wait
- We have a waiting child program where we advocate for children who are older or have special needs. In this situation, there may be no wait time. Once the child has been selected by a family, a referral can be held up for 6 months while the necessary paperwork is completed. Contact us to find a list of current waiting children, and learn more about them.
- It takes many, many years to adopt a young, healthy child in Bulgaria. This agency is always honest and transparent with families and doesn’t feel comfortable putting families in the position of a long, long wait with the way adoptions are going now. It is always subject to change though.
- Bulgaria is the right country for families where there is an interest in:
- Adoption of a child with Down Syndrome (age 1 and up)
- Older children and sibling groups
- An identified special need
Travel
Families travel approximately 2-3 months after accepting a referral. The first trip lasts 1 week, and both parents must travel. The second trip takes place 3-4 months after the first. This trip is 1 week long and only one parent must travel, if both cannot. Bulgaria allows one trip now due to the situation with COVID.
The court date for a Bulgarian adoption is not attended by the family, and takes place in the time between both trips.
Requirements & Process
To begin a Bulgarian adoption, each family must complete a Hague-approved home study and dossier. We walk our families through each step of the dossier process, which is shorter for Bulgaria than for most countries.
Once these two steps are complete, they will be submitted to Bulgaria’s Ministry of Justice.
ADOPTION IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Parent Eligibility
- Married couples only
- Must be married at least 5 years
- Must be at least 30 years old, and no more than 50 years older than the child
Child Profiles
Children up for adoption in the Dominican Republic are generally orphaned due to voluntary or involuntary termination of parental rights, the death of a parent, or the inability of a parent to provide adequate care because they already have children or are parenting a child with special needs. Many children are abandoned at the hospital after birth.
Average Wait
- The wait time to receive a child referral depends on your medical preferences and the age of the child.
- Long wait for younger healthy children under the ages of 7-8.
- For children older than 8, a family may be matched within a few months.
- Waiting child program (similar to Bulgaria).
Travel
Prospective parents are required to travel for one trip. Both parents must be in the country for approximately 5 weeks for a socialization and cohabitation period.
After this time, one parent may return home, giving the other parent power of attorney to complete the legal process, which can take an additional 2.5 to 3 months. Friends of family members may join the parent in the Dominican Republic for the remainder of the trip.
Requirements & Process
To begin a Bulgarian adoption, each family must complete a Hague-approved home study and dossier. We walk our families through each stop of the dossier process, which is shorter for Bulgaria than for most countries.
Once these two steps are complete, they will be submitted to Bulgaria’s Ministry of Justice.
ADOPTION IN POLAND
KidsFirst International Adoption began working in Poland in July 2015. Our current partner in the country is Grazyna Stokarska.
Parent Eligibility
- Couples and single women
- Couples must be married for at least 3 years
- Must be at least 25 years old, and no more than 40 years older than the child
- At least one parent must be a US citizen
Child Profiles
Children up for adoption in Poland are generally orphaned due to voluntary or involuntary termination of parental rights, the death of a parent, or the inability of a parent to provide the child with adequate care. There are many sibling groups and children with medical needs who are available for adoption. Children over 13 years old must give their consent for an adoption to take place. The children are generally raised in orphanages or foster homes.
Average Wait
- The wait time to receive a child referral depends on your medical preferences and the age of the child.
- Time frames change. Please call our office or email us to schedule a consultation and we will provide information about the current wait time.
Travel
Prospective parents are required to travel for one longer trip (approximately 8 weeks), or two separate trips (approximately one week for the first, and six weeks for the second). The duration of the trips depends on the decision of a judge, and the region where the child resides. Poland requires a bonding period for adoptive parents to acquaint with the child. This can take 10 days to a month.Both parents are required to be in the country during this time, and children from the family are encouraged to attend as well. After the bonding period, there will be a court hearing that both parents must attend. After this hearing, one parent may leave the country if needed. It takes about 2-3 weeks to receive the court’s official approval.
Requirements & Process
To begin a Polish adoption, each family must complete a Hague-approved home study and dossier. The dossier requires a medical certificate and FBI clearance. We walk our families through each step of the dossier process.
Once these two steps are complete, they will be submitted to Poland.
ADOPTION IN UKRAINE
This agency is very excited to work with adoptions in Ukraine since this is where KidsFirst director, Inna Pecar, is originally from. Inna understands the culture, language, and the needs of the children. Ukraine is not a Hague country yet but does require families that adopt to follow the Hague process. Single men and women are not allowed to adopt from Ukraine. Ukraine approves families that are heterosexual couples only. Ukraine does not provide medical information on the child before traveling. KidsFirst connects families with doctors which specialize in the adoption field to help families understand the disabilities of children. We have over 22 years of experience in international adoptions. At KidsFirst, we are dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process including home studies, trip preparation, understanding medical disabilities of children, etc. We work hard to provide as much information as possible about children’s social, medical and psychological background. We ask a lot of questions about children’s medical and emotional needs and their personalities to make sure families are as prepared as possible.
Parent Eligibility
- Couples
- Must be at least 25 years old, and no more than 50 years older than the child
Child Profiles
Children up for adoption in Ukraine are generally 5 years or older. Sibling groups may include a younger child. Ukrainian children typically have Caucasian features.
Average Wait
- Usually adoptive parents travel to Ukraine 2-4 months after the dossier is accepted by the Department for Adoptions and Protection of the Rights of Children.
Travel
Families’ travel on their first trip is generally around 2-4 months after submitting their dossier is accepted. This trip can be up to 1 month in length, and both parents must travel.
Families generally travel for their second trip 1-2 months later. This trip generally lasts only 7-9 days, and it is acceptable for only one parent to travel.
Requirements & Process
To begin a Ukrainian adoption, each family must complete a home study and dossier. We walk our families through each step of the dossier process. The family can begin planning their travels once the ministry has accepted their submitted dossier documents.
