Adopting is such a complicated process that needs proper understanding and learning. Adding to its complexities are the legal proceedings, tedious accomplishments of documents, agencies, finances and a whole lot of terms in the adoption lingo. One such important aspect is adoption referral.
Adoption referral is normal nowadays since there is an emergence of inter-country adoption. Adoption referral is a process wherein an adoption agency matches the information gathered from a child in an orphanage to prospective adoptive parents. If matched, an agency will give the family a call regarding the child. The family can then decide if they will accept or decline the child. In the process, the prospective family decides freely and the agency has no control over them.
How can you get an adoption referral? The agency where the prospective parents’ file is submitted will review and send the dossier to an attorney or an organization in a foreign country. Afterwards, the child’s file information will be sent to the adopting family and the waiting period will start subsequently.
The waiting period varies on the country, the family’s flexibility and the child’s. Referrals can be received immediately, from 6 to 8 months, or up to 1 year. Once the adopting family accepts the child, a court appearance is necessary to finalize the adoption process.
Some of the referrals are imprecise in details but generally the following are included in the child’s basic information:
- Photos and videos. Photos can be color or black and white.
- Medical information. This might include the child’s lab tests (TB, HIV, hepatitis, etc.), weight, age, height, any diagnosis, complications or medications given. The information can also include the physical development and growth process of the child.
- Background information. If available this can include information about the child’s birth parents like occupation, age, religion and reason/s why the child is being subject to adoption.
- Developmental and social information. Includes developments or milestones missed or met by the growing child such as sitting up, rolling over, walking, eating or talking. Social information includes how a child relates to other children or his/her caregiver.
Processing international child adoption referrals are long but what seems longer is the waiting time. After such wait, the phone rings and instantly, parents will be bombarded with lots of information about a child. This can thus bring anticipations and doubts to adoptive parents. This shouldn't discourage them though since adoption referral serves as preparation for them. These are very helpful to know if interests and wants are met; because of this, conflicts can be eliminated and harmonious relationships can be achieved.
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