Ethiopia is one of the fastest growing programs to
date. Bay Area Adoption Services (BAAS) is committed to assisting both
couples and singles with adoptions from Ethiopia. BAAS has the privilege
of partnering with three of the seven international adoption agencies
accredited by the Ethiopian government to complete adoptions. Each of
these agencies has a heartfelt presence in Ethiopia, supporting orphanages
and contributing humanitarian aid to support children and families in
many parts of this country.
Types of CHILDREN
Ethiopian children who are available for adoption are well cared for
as they wait to be matched with their forever families. While children
are waiting for placement they are cared for in foster care centers,
local orphanages, community care, or in the hospital of birth. Once
a child is identified for international placement he/she is moved to
the House run by the liaison agency in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
All the children who are available for adoption are examined and tested
for HIV, Hepatitis B, and tuberculosis prior to being matched and referred
to a family. Parents will receive biographical and medical information
on a referred child, which will include photographs. Characteristics
of children available include:
- Young infants 3 months old and above.
- Children with special needs – the most common special needs include
cleft palate and lip, albinism, congenital heart disease, and hepatitis
B.
- Older children, ages 3 years and above.
- Sibling groups
REQUIREMENTS
- Both married couples and singles can adopt. There is no quota
for single parents.
- Couples must be married a minimum of one year at the time the
dossier is sent to Ethiopia. (It is important to note that first
time parents should be flexible in gender preference).
- In order to be considered for an infant under 1 year old, you
must be between 25 and 50.
- Applicants over 50 may be considered for an older child
- Applicants must be in good health and be able to show sufficient
income to parent the child.
TIME INVOLVED
At present, the entire adoption process usually takes approximately
12-16 months. The first 6 months of the process involves completing
the homestudy, receiving USCIS clearance, and gathering and notarizing
documents required by the Ethiopian government. The referral time
frame for boys is 0-4 months. The referral time frame for girls is
1-6 months. Please note, some children may be available for immediate
referral. In such cases, the entire process can be completed in 8-12
months. Once a child has been assigned, the family is expected to
travel to Ethiopia approximately 4 to 12 weeks later. The stay in
Ethiopia is about one week.
ROLE OF Partnering Agency
The partner agency (also known as the liaison agency) will translate
your documents, forward your dossier to Ethiopia and monitor its
progress. Once your dossier has been reviewed and approved, you will
be placed on the waiting list for a referral. The partnering agency
will inform you when you have been matched with a child.
IN Ethiopia
One or both parents may choose to travel. Once you arrive in Ethiopia,
you will be met by a guide who will escort you throughout the entire
stay in Ethiopia. The guide will accompany families throughout their
stay in Addis Ababa and assist with lodging, transportation, as well
as accompany parents to all official meetings and handle document processing.
This person will remain with you until you are ready to leave Ethiopia
with your child(ren).
FEEs Involved
BAAS FEE: -$5,400
Ethiopian adoptions are finalized in the US, and are therefore “Intercountry
adoptions”. The following is a general estimate of costs involved:
- Registration & Pre-adopt class
- Homestudy
- Paperwork Assistance, including dossier preparation and USCIS filing
- Overseas program consultation and liason agency oordination
- 4 post placement visits
- Assistance in finalizing the adoption and obtaining a California birth
certificate for the child, certificate of citizenship, and any other
post-adoption paperwork
PARTNERING AGENCY FEES
(Varies - approx. $14,000 - $18,000):
- Services Fees
The service fee covers all case management, liaison work with the home
study agency, (BAAS) dossier translation, and early preparation for adopting
from Ethiopia.
- Program Fees
These fees are directly related to the Ethiopia adoption program and
the administration of this program. A portion of the program fee covers
non-travel related fees within the country. The liaison agencies support
orphaned Ethiopian children through their humanitarian aid projects,
which include but are not limited to, the following: medical help and
classes for children with disabilities; sponsorship to children living
with next of kin or in foster families; educational assistance and
scholarships to the children in the orphanages.
- Additional Fees
Other incidental expenses include Ethiopian government fees, visa and
passport fees, coordination fees including communication with the Ethiopian
government. These fees may include round-trip airfare and living expenses
while in Ethiopia, state certification, authentication and translation
of documents, Ethiopian government fees, visa and passport fee, coordination
fee including communication with the Ethiopian government.
MISCELLANEOUS FEES- $1000-$2000
- USCIS filing fee
- Procurement of documents (i.e., birth & marriage certificates,
etc.)
- Photocopying of documents
- Notary fees
- Certification & Authentication of official documents
- Court filing fees
INTERNAL TRAVEL IN ETHIOPIA
(Approximately $100 per person per day):
- Includes hotel accommodation
- Food, various expenses
- Internal travel during full stay in Ethiopia. Airfare to Ethiopia
is additional
AIRFARE TO ETHIOPIA (VARIES)
Approximately $ 900.00 - $1200.00 per person roundtrip. This varies
depending on dates, airlines, and departing location.
TOTAL COSTS
Generally speaking, the entire cost of completing an adoption in Ethiopia
is approximately $23,000-$27,000, including the BAAS fee, the Liaison
agency fee (and all adoption processing in Ethiopia) and travel.
For more information regarding the Ethiopia program, please contact the
BAAS office at (650) 964-3800. Please note that adoption procedures,
fees and timelines for Ethiopia, as stated above, can change at any time
without prior notice.
- Please note that this information is subject to change without notice
as changes occur in government/country regulations and/or adoption procedures.
For the latest information, please call BAAS directly.