Japan

 

*** No new applications at this time ***

 

 

 

BAY AREA ADOPTION SERVICES (BAAS) is privileged to work in Japan. BAAS works with two organizations in Japan and has been assisting couples who wish to adopt from Japan for over 20 years. The majority of the adoptions are relinquishment cases in which the birthmother has relinquished her child to an organization or agency for adoption, either in Japan or abroad.

BAY AREA ADOPTION SERVICES will assist families in all the necessary steps for completing a Japanese adoption. This includes: assisting with procedures, conducting the homestudy (which is mandatory both for USCIS and the Japanese government), putting you in contact with an experienced Japan program agency and conducting post placement visits when you return home with your child.

Types of CHILDREN

Most children are born out of wedlock and are relinquished to private parties such as missionaries, social welfare organizations, or adoption agencies. Most children being placed internationally reside in hospitals until the time of placement. All the children, except for a few cases where the children were abandoned, are under the legal guardianship of the organization placing the child:

• Young infants 3 months old and up are available
• Children with special needs – Including minor or correctable health problems, record of delayed development, or an emotional problem
  

REQUIREMENTS

• Married couples only (Prefer couples that have been married for at least 3 years)
• Couples under 42 years of age are given priority
  

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 Japanese government. The referral time frame for boys is 0-4 months. The referral time frame for girls is 1-6 months. Some families receive their referrals in a few months, while others take longer; it varies for each family. Your stay in Japan could be anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks, depending on when you can get appointments with both the hospital and the U.S. Embassy.

IN Japan

When traveling to Japan, either one or both parents may travel to pick up the child. Once you arrive in Japan, you will meet a representative of the placing agency and gain physical custody of the child. At that time she will give you an appointment schedule, list of documents needed to obtain the baby’s visa, and information concerning the care of your baby.

Japan does not issue finalized adoption decrees; the couples receive legal guardianship.

FEEs Involved

BAAS FEE: -$4,500
Japan adoptions are finalized in the US, and are therefore “Intercountry adoptions”. The following is a general estimate of the costs involved. Fees Include:

• Registration & Pre-adopt class
  
• Homestudy
  
• Paperwork Assistance, including dossier preparation and CIS filing
  
• Overseas Program Consultation
  
• 4 post placement visits
  
• Assistance in finalizing the adoption and obtaining a California birth certificate for the child and all post-adoption paperwork
  

JAPAN ADOPTION FEE: - $35,000-$50,000:

• Includes hospital stay
• Delivery
  
• Childcare (for approx. 90 days, which is quite costly)
• Legal processing
  
• Translation services

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 JAPAN TRAVEL $2,000 - $4,000
(Approximately $200 per person per day):

• Includes hotel accommodation
• Food, various expenses
• Internal travel during full stay in Japan. Airfare to Japan is additional

AIRFARE TO JAPAN (VARIES)

Approximately $ 1200.00 per person roundtrip. This varies depending on dates, airlines, and departing location.

TOTAL COSTS

Generally speaking, the entire cost of completing a Japan adoption is approximately $40,000-$65,000, including the BAAS fee, Japan agency fee (including all adoption processing in Japan) and travel.

• 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.