Adoption Process

Registration/ Application

Our Registration and Application are the first steps in beginning your journey as a client of Wide Horizons For Children (WHFC). For clients who live in our full service areas (CT, MA, NH, NJ, RI, VT, and most counties in NY) you will be assignmed a social worker and begin the home study process when we receive the first part of the application materials. You will be required to complete and return a number of documents, including general household information, financial information, criminal background checks, and others.

For clients who will be using WHFC for child placement services only, you will be assigned a case manager to guide you through your adoption process, and to liaison with your home study agency social worker.

Home Study and CIS Approval

The home study is an assessment of an applicant's suitability to adopt a child, as well as an opportunity for a social worker to educate and counsel the applicants about adoption. The social worker will help identify the type of child a family is best suited to adopt. The home study itself is a written report of the findings of the social worker who has met with the applicants on several occasions, both individually and together. Additionally, in order to adoption internationally, all applicants must submit an I600-A application for favorable determination for the granting of an orphan petition.

Dossier Submission

The dossier consists of documents mandated by the adoption authorities in Ethiopia before you can move forward with receiving the referral of a child for adoption. WHFC will provide detailed instructions as well as support to help you with the completion of your dossier.

Referral of a Child

The Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) in Addis Ababa is responsible for approving the relinquishment of all children in Ethiopia. Once the relinquishment is approved, MOWA grants legal custody to a local orphanage, who in turn may ask an approved placing agency such as WHFC to locate an adoptive family. While WHFC matches families with children as soon as the child is identified as needing a home, it is important to keep in mind that the legal process in Ethiopia takes several months.

Travel to Ethiopia

Recent changes by the Ethiopian Government will require families to take two brief trips to Africa, one to appear in court for the adoption and the second 3-8 weeks later to bring their child home. Both parents must travel on the first trip. Traveling families will be met by our agency representative upon arrival and will be guided and assisted by our in-country staff throughout their stay.

Traveling to Ethiopia offers parents a tremendous opportunity to learn more about their child's birth heritage. While in Addis Ababa, parents will meet and visit daily with their child at the WHFC Horizon House and have the opportunity for consultation with physicians and caretakers who have been attending to the child. In most cases, birth relatives of the child may request a meeting with adoptive parents. Anyone adopting from Ethiopia must be comfortable having this meeting if requested.

Travel Resources

U.S. Department of State - Lists any current travel advisories for Ethiopia and other countries.

Travel Protectors, LLC - Offers medical coverage and assistance services for Americans traveling outside the U.S.

Re-Fingerprinting & I600-A Updating

Are your fingerprints up to date? CIS regulations state that fingerprints must be no more than 15 months old at the time of I600 filing for child's immigrant visa. Contact your CIS Coordinator at 781.894.5330 for additional information.

Home with Child/ Post-Placement

Ethiopian adoptions are considered to be full and final on the date the Ethiopian government completes the adoption proceddings. However, not all Ethiopian adoptions are considered final by USCIS, and you must re-adopt the child under the laws of your state of residence. WHFC will assist families with this re-adoption process. A 1-year period of post-placement supervision and reporting is required after your child comes home.