1. Question: Who can get support/assistance from this group?
Answer: We assist primarily U.S. Military and government employees and dependents stationed in Europe. We can also provide limited assistance to those stationed in other areas world-wide through our networking contacts. Some assistance is also available for other Americans overseas. We welcome questions, comments, and participation from families outside of the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC). Please feel free to contact us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Question: Can we adopt through your agency?
Answer: We are NOT an adoption agency and DO NOT facilitate any placements or adoptions. We are a non-profit, volunteer-run Adoption Support Group. While we are graciously sponsored by the Ramstein AB (Germany) 435th Air Base Wing Chapel, all information expressed is from people who have adopted, or are in the process of adoption; as well as those who assist them. DISCLAIMER NOTE: Opinions/information expressed on this web site do NOT represent official U.S. Government/Military policy.
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3. Question: Can you help people living outside the Ramstein/Kaiserslautern Germany area?
Answer: Yes! We are happy to provide adoption support to anyone, anywhere. Our volunteer members are available via email and telephone to respond to inquiries world-wide. If possible, please plan to come to our annual European Adoption Symposium held in Kaiserslautern, Germany on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. If you live with a reasonable driving distance of Kaiserslautern, please consider attending our support group meeting held on the third Tuesday of each month (Please check our meetings tab for more information and directions). We are also happy to give you ideas on how to start a support group in your area.
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4. Question: What kind of adoptions are available to us while living overseas?
Answer: It is possible to adopt both domestically (a child with American citizenship) and internationally (a child who is the citizen of a country other than the USA). Domestic adoptions frequently take place with the adoptive parents residing overseas. Children who are citizens of Western European countries (including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, etc.) are NOT usually available for adoption; except in rare circumstances. However, children in former Eastern European countries; as well as the Far East (Asia), southeast Asia, South America, and Africa, are frequently available for adoption.
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5. Question: Is it easier to adopt a child internationally when living overseas?
Answer: No, nor is it really more difficult - it all depends on the laws pertaining to adoption in the country of choice. Most international adoption agencies, with their offices in the USA, will now work with you while you are stationed overseas. You may need to “educate” them that American military installations provide American medical care, counselling, schools, shopping, and other expectations of daily life normally found in the states. Please check our links page for a list of agencies that are currently familiar with working with overseas/military families. A US-based adoption agency will have all of the information needed as part of the adoption process.
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6. Question: How long does the adoption process take?
Answer: It all depends - some private adoptions can be completed within 2-6 months; other adoptions may take longer depending on your circumstances (e.g. up to 2 or more years). International adoptions vary in length, but can take up to three years. PLEASE NOTE: Usually, the more effort YOU put into the adoption, the quicker you will see results. However, patience is also needed on your part to be successful in your adoption effort.
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7. Question: How can we adopt a child from the States while living overseas?
Answer: First (1) - through foster care. You can work with many States for the adoption of children who are currently in foster care and available for immediate adoption. Please see our links page for agencies facilitating domestic adoptions of children currently placed in foster care. Check with your home state (Home of Record) to find out if their foster care system incorporates an adoption unit as a resource. In general, these children are from the ages of 3-10 years (sometimes older) and sibling groups are also available.
Second (2) - through domestic (private placement) adoption. If you can access an American birth parent, who is placing their child for adoption, this option can be successful as well. For example, every year there are up to 200 Americans (mostly military personnel living overseas) who place an infant through personal contacts like word of mouth. Another viable option is to contact an “independent adoption” professional (e.g., adoption lawyers or medical offices stateside). You can also exercise the option of placing a “portfolio” or “parent profile” on one of the national adoption web sites (see our links page for examples). Locally, in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, there is a “Book of Letters” which is sponsored by our support group. You can live anywhere in the world and still be able to place a letter describing your self and why you want to adopt - the letter may be as simple or detailed as you like. Birth parents are given access to these letters in a confidential setting. Our custodian of the “Book of Letters” will contact the letter writer based on the birth parents’ request. If you would like further information about the “Book of Letters” please contact us and we will provide you with additional details.
Third (3) - through domestic adoption agencies. There are many agencies (please see our links page for examples) who specialize in placing American infants for adoption; as well as others which specialize in minority or mixed-race American infant placements.
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8. Question: Do we need to be stationary (living here) to complete the adoption? What if we PCS before the adoption is finished?
Answer: It is understood that PCS moves are an integral part of military life. While there are positives and negatives, most agencies will work with you and your circumstances - even through deployments. Sometimes moves or deployments of a spouse may cause complications such as the necessity for home study updates (or a new home study - if required), or a different visa process for an international adoption. Every situation is unique and would require a specific response. Our Support Group is always willing to assist with timely information and real-world experiences.
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9. Question: Can a single military person adopt?
Answer: This is very dependent on your personal circumstances and the requirements associated with the child you are trying to adopt. Some countries do permit single parent adoptions by U.S. citizens, but many prefer to find two-parent homes for their adoptable children. Other countries have other requirements (e.g., income, etc.) for single parents to be able to adopt. U.S. Foster care adoptions is another possibility for single parent adoption; as well as the placement of newborn infants through an adoption agency.
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10. Question: What exactly is an adoption home study?
Answer: The adoption home study is a VERY detailed personal written report about your family compiled and prepared by a certified social worker or other professional licensed to do home studies. The home study explores your reasons for considering adoption. It helps to define the type of child that would best fit into your family. It helps to also decide if the time is right for your family to adopt. Costs associated with a home study can vary anywhere from $600 to $4,000. (More info)
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11. Question: Can we begin the adoption process even if my spouse is currently deployed?
Answer: It depends - please check with your adoption agency, but usually the process can be continued when a spouse deploys. The spouse needs to be present for part of the home study process, so beginning the home study before deployment would need to be accomplished. However, if your spouse is currently deployed, there are adoption-related steps that can be accomplished in the interim until your spouse returns from his/her deployment. Please contact us for more information.
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12. Question: What do I need to bring a child back to the states after I adopt him/her?
Answer: Before you can adopt a child from another country; other than the United States, you have to complete the necessary steps through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis). This is a fee-based service which includes various documents that need to be filled out according to your specific circumstances and includes a variety of support documentation (e.g., birth certificates, passports, marriage certificate, clearances, fingerprints, and your home study to name a few). Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be able to bring your child into the U.S. where citizenship becomes automatic once you set foot on U.S. soil. You may also be able to file for citizenship after “readopting” your child through a stateside court. If your child lives with you for two years before entering the U.S., your child may also be eligible to be declared as an immediate foreign relative and then you must file additional paperwork with the USCIS for an immigration visa and subsequent citizenship. It is absolutely critical that you coordinate your adoption with USCIS if you plan on adopting internationally.
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13. Question: Do many private adoptions have open communication with the birth parents? How does that work out?
Answer: Open communication between the birth and adoptive families - also known as an “open adoption” - is increasingly a common practice in the USA and is felt to be very beneficial for the adoptive child. It removes the secrecy and provides access to information whenever needed. Please keep in mind that no state adoption court will allow birth parents to retain ANY parental rights. The adoptive parents become the legal parents of the child forever. Most people think of the birth parents as extended family members - related, but NOT in a position of responsibility or authority. This relationship must be nurtured through constant communication/contact to build and maintain trust and information. Some states have a “Contact Agreement” which is entered into the adoption finalization court process. This document allows the court to mediate in order to improve communication if there is any future dispute between the parties involved. However, it cannot change or alter the adoption, or force the adoptive parents to do anything that they feel is detrimental for the child or children. Many adoptive families benefit from the additional sets of grandparents and relatives for their child or children. Most international adoptions will give you limited information about the birth parent(s), but rarely is there any ongoing contact.
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14. Question: How much does an adoption cost?
Answer: The cost can vary greatly. If you adopt through the foster care system, you could pay several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars prior to placement. Please Note: Almost all of the costs will be reimbursed by the State upon placement of the child in your home. Some post-adoption assistance, in the form of monthly payments, may be available from the State while the child is growing-up. If you adopt privately, or have an international adoption, your adoption can range from $3,000 to $45,000 (Note: It is sometimes a sad fact of life that children who will present parenting challenges have lower adoption fees).
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15. Question: What specific information is available for military family adoption?
Answer: Useful military-oriented adoption information may be found on www.military.com. Simply type “adoption” into their search engine. Offices at military installations may be of limited assistance, depending on the personnel experience and expertise. The JAG office (military lawyers) can provide some limited direction, but their free notary service is VERY useful when it comes to doing the required documentation. The personnel office may have the adoption reimbursement forms, but more likely you will need to do this research yourself. The MilitaryOneSource (www.militaryonesource.com) has excellent online and telephone assistance available. Enter “adoption” in their search engine and you will come-up with over 10 pages of updated and useful information. There is a US 800 phone number (800-342-9647) that is available 24/7 for personalized assistance. The European toll-free number is: 00-800-3429-6477. Please see their web site for more international access numbers and other ways to contact them.
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16. Question: What help is available for financing an adoption?
Answer: Military reimbursement for active duty members is up to a maximum of $2,000 per child (for certain qualifying expenses relating to the adoption) up to $5,000 for multiple adoptions per calendar year. For additional information, please check out the following link: www.dod.mil/comptroller/fmr/07c/07c_04.pdf.
You may contact DFAS at: (216) 204-4556 for more information. Please see this link too to obtain the necessary DD Form 2675: www.dtic/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd2675.pdf. The adoption(s) must be accomplished through a recognized United States non-profit adoption agency. If both parents are active-duty, only one parent may be reimbursed. Claims will not be paid until the adoption has been finalized. You must have receipts or documentation for all of the qualifying expenses - travel costs are not reimbursable There are also Federal Tax credits available.
For the latest information on this topic, please see: www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html and the following web site which explains the adoption tax credit: www.lifetimeadoption.com/for_adoptive_families/tax1.html. For other resources for financial assistance, please see question no. 17 of our FAQs.
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17. Question: What additional help is available for financing an adoption?
Answer: Check out the following resources. You may need to do some research on your own as things change and more funding might become available to meet your specific needs.
National Adoption Foundation: www.nafadopt.org
Gift of Adoption Foundation: www.giftofadoption.org
FORE Adoption Foundation: www.foreadoption.com
Shaohannah’s Hope: www.shaohannahshope.org
A Child Waits Foundation: www.achildwaits.org
North American Council on Adoptable Children: www.nacac.org
World Association for Children and Parents: www.wacap.org
Other options: Some credit unions or banks may offer a loan for an adoption. Some families will finance their adoption by borrowing from their 401K or life insurance policy. Some airlines (e.g., Northwest Airlines) offer special travel rates for families adopting children from overseas.
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18. Question: How do we pick a good agency/social worker to help us with our adoption?
Answer: Prospective adopting parents are advised to fully research any home study provider, adoption agency, or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.-based services/agencies, it it suggested that prospective adopting parents contact the office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located and check if the state Attorney General or Better Business Bureau has complaints against them for the previous three (3) years. You should check the credentials, licenses, and Hague Treaty status of any provider that you are using. As you associate or network with other adoptive families, ask what experience they have had (e.g., the word gets around - both good and bad). The agencies listed as participating in our Symposium are familiar with military overseas members and families. However, participation in our Symposium does NOT imply any preferred recommendation for these agencies. You must do your own research and then choose which agency will work best for your particular circumstances. Please check this U.S. Government link: http://childwelfare.gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp.cfm?Rs_id=2&rate_chno=CD-41596.
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19. Question: What is the Hague Convention and how does it affect the adoption process?
Answer: The Hague Convention strives to provide internationally agreed-upon rules and procedures for adoptions between countries (e.g., protecting all parties involved). Further, it is to ensure adoption is in the best interest of a child and to prevent abduction, sale of , or illegal trafficking of children. The Hague Convention also establishes a Central Authority in each country for information and points of contact for prospective parents to receive reliable and accurate information. If a country does not comply with the Hague Convention, then adoption placements with American families will NOT be possible. For additional information about the Hague Convention, please see this U.S. Government link: http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/convention/convention_462.html.
