Country Comparisons
The below table is a simple comparison chart. It does not list every requirement of each other of the countries, nor does it list every country. This a mere overview and is accurate as if May 2007. Adoption requirements change frequently around the world. In addition, fees vary thousands and thousands of dollars, so the guesstimated overall prices have not been included either. Please do your research carefully. Make sure you know exactly what you are paying for before deciding what price tag looks better than another. The below listed criteria/requirements are based off of government regulations. Agencies often have their own requirements that vary and are more strict than the government regulations.
| Country |
Parent Age |
Singles
OK? |
Divorce
OK? |
Gay
OK? |
Marriage
Req. |
Health
Req.? |
Max. Current
Children |
Travel
Req? |
Choose
Sex? |
Youngest
Child Age
(at referral) |
| US Domestic |
>25 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
None |
|
Flexible |
Yes |
Yes |
Newborn |
| US Foster 2 Adopt |
>25 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
None |
|
Flexible |
Maybe |
Yes |
Newborn.
Typically older. |
| Haiti |
>30; Flexible with
Infertility or marriage.
|
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Known each
other 5 years |
No Syphalis, HIV,
and TB |
4 |
No |
Yes |
Newborn |
| Guatemala |
25-55 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
None |
|
Flexible |
One parent. 3-5 days |
Yes |
2 months |
| Ukraine |
21-50 |
No |
Two. |
No |
2 years. |
|
4, but flexible |
Both parents.
3-4 weeks. |
Yes. |
18 months |
| China |
30-50 |
No |
Two |
No |
2 years. |
BMI less than 30.
No mental ailments. |
4 |
One.10-14 days. |
Mostly girls |
8 months |
| Russia (Closed) |
>25;
48 yrs age difference. |
Yes |
No more than 2. |
No |
None |
|
Flexible |
Both. Twice.
10 days; 3 weeks. |
Yes. |
9 months |
| Vietnam |
>25;
20 yrs age difference. |
Yes
Includes Men! |
Yes |
No |
1 year |
|
5, but flexible |
One. 2-3 weeks. |
Longer wait for girls |
8 months |
| Ethiopia |
25-55 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
1 year |
|
6, but flexible |
No |
Yes |
12 months |
| Brazil |
22-55 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
None |
|
Flexible |
1st parent 10 days.
2nd parent or single, 20-45 days. |
Yes |
No guarentee of age matching.
Typically age 5 or above. |
| Colombia |
25-45 |
Yes - Age 8 and above |
Yes |
No |
3 years |
|
1 |
Both. 2-6 weeks |
No |
Singles and Older than 55:
8 and older |
| Ecuador |
30-50 |
Yes |
One. |
No |
3 years |
|
3, for infant.
4,for older. |
Both. 4-6 weeks |
Longer wait for girls |
2 yrs |
| Kazakhstan |
25-55 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
2 years. |
|
4 |
Both. Two trips:
3-4 weeks; 4-5 days. |
Yes |
18 months |
| Korea |
25-44 |
No |
Two |
No |
3 years. |
No more than 30%
overweight |
4 |
No |
No |
9 months old |
| Mongolia |
30-49 |
No |
One. |
No |
5 years. |
|
4 |
One. 10-14 days |
Yes, but not
guarenteed |
15 months |
| Thailand |
25-45 |
No |
One. |
No |
3 years. |
|
2 |
Both. 3-10 days |
Yes |
14 months |
| Nepal |
30-50 |
At least 35 |
|
No |
4 years. |
Infertility Required. |
1 |
|
Yes if no other
children. |
2 years |
| India |
30-55;
21 yrs age difference. |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
2 years. |
|
2 |
3-10 days |
Yes |
12 months
No guarentee of age matching |
- Myths and Realities of Adoption* (PDF)
A handy reference in Q&A format, perfect for sharing with others.
- The Truth About Domestic Adoption*: by Eliza Newlin Carney. (PDF)
Misconceptions about domestic adoption abound. The author confronts the myth that domestic adoption is rare, expensive, and risky with her own experience and the facts. Includes statistics about the cost and timing of domestic and international adoption.
|