Contact DSS to schedule an office visit with the adoption worker who will explain the process and give the family the Adoption Handbook with information on the Adoption process.

Adopting/sponsoring children is not a realm in which the SLF has any experience. We can tell you that there are programs at Foster Parents Plan, CARE, and World Vision International, as well as a slightly different approach, which we think is worthy: www.keepachildalive.org. Also, you can get information about international adoption from Adoption Services of Provincial Child Welfare authorities or Children's Aid Societies in each of the Provinces and Territories in Canada.

Once your dossier is submitted for translation, a referral is given within 2-4 weeks. Parents specify the criteria the orphanage will use in selecting their child. The orphanage selects a child and then sends photos, medical information and the child's story to the agency. Families are asked to give the referral careful consideration. If they accept the referral, they are asked to sign an acceptance letter. If they decline, another referral will be made within 1 month.

You can speak to Liz Jackson, in our Child and Family Services section by calling her at (867) 873-7276. Or you can contact the Department of Health and Social Services' Adoptions Consultant, Laura Comishen, at (867) 873-7943.

Yes. The procedures are identical to those for adopting a child in Northern Ireland, except that the adoption agency may charge you for your home study assessment.

Adoptions are handled in the Probate Court, except in Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Grafton, Rockingham and Sullivan Counties where adoptions are handled by the Family Division. To begin the process, call the Probate Court register's office or the Family Division in the county where you live. To find the right court for you, go to Court Locations.

Form I-600. You also have the option of filing both Form I-600A and Form I-600 at the same time. You must pay a $332 filing fee, a $50 fingerprinting fee for each adult, age 18 and over, whose primary residence is in your household, proof of U.S. citizenship for the petitioner, proof of U.S.

You can give your preference for the gender, health status, and the age range of the child you wish to adopt. FTIA cannot guarantee that you will receive your exact preferences, but we will do our best to match you with the child you have specified in both your application and home study.

Yes. We believe that recognizing and accepting these preferences will lead to a more successful adoption experience.

Host families are asked to make their intentions known by the end of the program, at which time an adoption services agreement is executed and fee paid. After the children return to Ethiopia, families gather their dossier (paperwork) and submit it to Gladney to initiate the adoption process. Once a completed dossier is sent to Ethiopia, families can expect to travel about 2 months later.

YES! We would LOVE to know if you adopt an animal because of www.amrt.net . We work very hard at keeping our website informative and current, and hearing that an animal got saved because of our website really keeps us going!!! Send an email to HappyEndings@amrt.net maybe even tell us tell us which animal you adopted, and from which shelter. You will make our day! Thank you!

YES! There are many wonderful sibling groups of all ages available. There are many sibling groups of 2 available and also some sibling groups of 3* available. It is also possible to adopt 2 unrelated children at the same time.