Adoption Associates, Inc: Domestic Infant and International Adoption Agency

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Ethiopia Adoption

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
  • All orphanages used are licensed by the Ethiopian government
  • A medical report is available for all children
  • Children with special needs are also able to be adopted
  • More than one child can be placed at one time
  • Ethiopia is one of the least expensive programs
  • AAI is licensed in Ethiopia

Location

The children come from various orphanages in Ethiopia, all of which are formally licensed.

Reason 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, licensed by the government of Ethiopia.

Eligibility for Families

  • Married couples and single female applicants are accepted.
  • Couples must be married at least one year.
  • Prospective adoptive parents must be between twenty-five and fifty-four years old (no older than fifty-four when file is submitted to court).
  • If a couple, at least one prospective adoptive parent must be age forty-nine years or younger to adopt an infant. If single, the prospective adoptive parent must be forty-nine years or younger to adopt an infant.
  • Couples where both spouses are age fifty to fifty-four years or singles age fifty to fifty-four years may adopt a child age five years or older.
  • Prospective adoptive parents must have health insurance.
  • Prospective adoptive parents must not have previously adopted from more than two countries.
  • Only heterosexual applicants are eligible.

Procedure

  • You will first submit a preliminary application to AAI and then complete your formal application. Next, you will 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 after a few months. If you formally accept the referral, the adoption process will begin.
  • You will take your first trip to Ethiopia to meet the child and attend the court hearing that finalizes the adoption. You then take the second trip to Ethiopia to obtain a visa for your child and bring him/her home.

Travel

  • Prospective adoptive parents will take two trips, each lasting approximately five to seven days. On the first trip you will attend your court hearing and on the second trip you will obtain your child's visa and bring him/her home. Both parents are required to travel for the first trip. It is recommended that one or both parents travel for the second trip.
  • You will fly into the capital city of Addis Ababa, and then continue to the orphanage from there.
  • Escorting is available at an additional cost, but not recommended.

Adoption Info Packet

More About Ethiopia Adoption Services

Specialists in Ethiopia Adoption

Our adoption agency offers international Ethiopia adoption services. As a Hague accredited adoption agency, Adoption Associates, Inc. is committed to providing the most professional and comprehensive Ethiopia adoption services to our clients. Our mission at Adoption Associates is to provide willing families Ethiopia adoption programs and offer our undivided attention to the adoptive parents and children that we serve. We are committed to making the adoption process the best it can be.

Competitive Fees

AAI works hard to keep Ethiopia adoption costs manageable, and you will find that our fees are competitive with other COA accredited adoption agencies working with Ethiopia.

Educational Opportunities

Adoption Associates offers transracial and transcultural training for families interested in adopting a child from Ethiopia. To better protect families and children, we have added more educational requirements for families prior to the adoption.

Due to the nature of international Ethiopia adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.