1. Application and Approval
To adopt a child(ren), please complete our agency application. For your convenience, you may access the application online here to apply. If you have any concerns about eligibility requirements, please contact us before filling out this application. We will promptly review your eligibility to adopt from Ethiopia once we receive your application. If approved, we will provide you with our agency contract that outlines our fees, services and important information regarding the Ethiopia adoption process. Upon receipt of your signed contract, CAN will work with one of our sister agencies that make up our *Family of Ethiopia Advocates.
*Our Family of Ethiopia Advocates is comprised of Hague accredited adoption agencies that assist us in providing your family with placement services for children from Ethiopia. Our partners were among the first agencies with programs in Ethiopia and have enjoyed a long history of successful adoptions. The joint efforts of CAN and our partner agencies provide our adoptive families and children superior services and expertise for a seamless experience from start to finish. From the time you submit your application, throughout the dossier process, and up to the time to travel to Ethiopia, your family will enjoy personal attention and service from our team.
2. The Paper Chase
Once your agency contract is in place, it is time to start assembling your dossier. This will include a home study, which will assess your readiness for international adoption from Ethiopia and help prepare you for adoptive parenthood, filing with USCIS for international adoption approval, and gathering your dossier documents. All dossier documents must go through the appropriate notarization, certification and authentication processes before being sent to Ethiopia. We offer a complete Elite Dossier Service to ease your international adoption process and give you peace of mind.
To ensure that prospective adoptive parents are prepared for their international adoption journey, our agency requires that parents complete 10 hours of adoption training as mandated by the Hague Convention. To satisfy these hours, we have developed an online parent training program that we are proud to include in CAN’s service plan. For an overview of the program, please click here. Please contact us for more information regarding adoption from Ethiopia.
3. Identifying a Child(ren)
Once your dossier is approved by the Ethiopian government, a child(ren) is identified based on your preferences for gender, age and health status. You will receive a description of the child(ren), including the child(ren)’s history, medical test results and photos. You will have two weeks to review your child(ren)’s information before you must either accept or decline the referral.
4. Completing the Adoption
Your first trip to Ethiopia will occur shortly after receiving your referral. During this initial visit, you will attend a court hearing, which will confirm your family’s desire to adopt the child and begin the processing of all necessary adoption paperwork. At least one parent must travel for this initial trip, however it is recommended that both adoptive parents go. If only one adoptive parent is able to travel, they will be required to bring a Power of Attorney letter with them, signed by the other adoptive parent.
5. Picking up Your Child(ren)
You will travel a second time after the Ethiopian courts have approved the adoption. The main purpose of this trip will be to take custody of the child(ren) and to secure a US visa for your child(ren). While we certainly encourage adoptive parents to travel this second time, families do have the option of utilizing an adoption escort service for this trip. CAN will assist you with your travel preparations, schedule your flights and arrange all accommodations. We provide an experienced guide to be with you every step of the way. For more information about Ethiopia and travel tips, go to our Ethiopia Travel page.
6. Post Adoption Requirements
You will be required to submit post adoption reports completed by your home study agency, at three months, six months and one year after your international adoption from Ethiopia is finalized. After the first year, families assume the responsibility of filing post-adoption reports yearly until the child turns 18. This is a commitment that you and your home study agency must sign when submitting documents for the adoption from Ethiopia.
