Programs at a Glance
An overview of our adoption programs appears below. Click on the country name for more detailed information. Please note that eligibility requirements for adoptive parents are usually determined by adoption officials in the child’s birth country, not WHFC. Criteria listed are not all-inclusive, as all programs also require proof of financial stability and may have other restrictions with respect to family composition, criminal history, physical and mental health. At this time there are limited programs open to gay or lesbian applicants, married or single; however, we welcome applications to our Colombia and Domestic (USA) Programs. Please contact us for more information on your program of interest.
| Adopting from | Eligibility Criteria |
Children Who Need Families |
Estimated Wait Time and Travel Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
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MARRIED COUPLES |
Age 2-10 years Families may request gender when adopting children age 5+ |
FAMILIES NEEDED! One 3-4-week trip; travel 8-12 months after acceptance of referral |
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MARRIED COUPLES and Youngest applicant no more than 50 years older than the child |
All ages 1-15 with mild to significant medical needs |
FAMILIES NEEDED! Under 6 months for referral
One 2-week trip; travel 5-6 months after referral; 9-10 months for non-dossier ready families matched with Special Focus Children
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MARRIED COUPLES and SINGLE WOMEN and MEN Oldest applicant no more than 45 years older than youngest child being adopted. Exceptions on case by case basis for up to a 50 year age difference between parent and child. |
All ages 1-15 Openness to mild/moderate medical needs required for children under age 8 Relative adoptions welcomed |
FAMILIES NEEDED! Children adopted through Kidsave will arrive home in under 1 year 12-24 months for referral; families of Colombian heritage can expect an expedited process One 6-week trip travel about 8 weeks after referral |
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MARRIED COUPLES Age exception allowed for married couples ages 45-49 only if they meet at least one of the following additional criteria: The approved home study must be complete before the applicants 45th or 50th birthday |
Toddlers ages 1-3 |
FAMILIES NEEDED! Under 6 months for referral Two trips of 7-10 days each; travel 9-15 months after referral |
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MARRIED COUPLES Adoptive mother must be no more than 45 years older than the child |
Age 1-8
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FAMILIES NEEDED! Up to 3 years for referral of children under age 5; 18-24 months for families of Filipino heritage or any family adopting a child over age 5 One 1-week trip; travel 4-6 months after referral |
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MARRIED COUPLES SINGLE WOMEN and MEN Adoptive parent(s) are selected based on expectant parent preferences Open to WHFC full-service families only Gay or lesbian applicants welcome |
Newborn infants |
FAMILIES NEEDED for children of all races and ethnicities Arrival 1-12 months after completion of home study; several factors influence wait times Travel to child's birth place required |
