Ethiopia Adoption
Ethiopia has been called “the land of a thousand smiles.” It is a country with a rich and prominent history. The oldest independent country in Africa, and one of the oldest in the world—its history dates back at least 2,000 years. Gondar, the formal capital city, was the center of achievements throughout the Middle Ages that have had a great influence on all of Africa. This is a place of wonder, home of the famed Queen of Sheba, and the birthplace of coffee.
Why Choose Ethiopia?
- Children available for adoption range in age from infants to fifteen years old; preschool- and school-aged children are most readily available
- A medical report is available for all children
- Special needs children are also available
- More than one child can be placed at one time
- Ethiopia is one of the least expensive programs
Location
The children come from orphanages in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital
Reasons for Availability
- Abandonment due to overpopulation
- Lack of good medical care
- Parents cannot care for their children due to severe poverty
- The parents are deceased
Children’s Situation
The children live in well-run orphanages where they are receiving excellent care.
Eligibility for Families
- Only heterosexual applicants are eligible
- Married couples or single female applicants are accepted
- The minimum age for single applicants is twenty-five years old
- Prospective adoptive parents age fifty to fifty-nine years can only adopt a child age five years and older
- Prospective adoptive parents age sixty years and older cannot adopt from Ethiopia
- A previous divorce is acceptable
Procedure
You will first submit a preliminary application to AAI, meet with a consultant for an International Adoption Awareness Meeting, and then complete your formal application. You will then complete your home study, your USCIS paperwork, and prepare your dossier. Upon completion of your dossier, your documents will be sent to Ethiopia. You will receive your referral a few months later. If you formally accept the referral, the adoption process will begin. Once the process is completed, you will travel to Ethiopia to bring your child home.
Travel
It is recommended that adoptive parents take one trip to Ethiopia after the adoption process is complete and the child is ready to come home. You will fly into the capital city of Addis Ababa, and then continue to the orphanage from there. One or both parents may travel. Escorting is available at an additional cost but not recommended.
Due to the nature of international adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.
