- Contact Catholic Charities to attend an individual or group informational meeting (adoptions@ccannj.org or 201-246-7378).
- Attend a Catholic Charities informational meeting to learn about the Agency’s history, experience, international adoption services, fees, and home study process.
- Register or apply online (adoptions@ccannj.org) or call 201-246-7378 to request an application.
- Select a placing agency, if possible, and begin your required 10 hours of additional adoption education, as mandated by Hague Convention.
- Complete your adoption home study; copies will be sent to your placing agency and USCIS.
- Begin your country specific paperwork, also known as a dossier. Your placing agency will assist you in this process.
- File an application with USCIS (I-800A/I-800 application for Hague Convention countries) or an (I-600A/I-600 application for non-Hague Convention countries). You will be notified for additional fingerprinting (federal).
- Receive and accept a child referred to you. Your Catholic Charities social worker as well as your placing Agency social worker will assist you with recommendations to developmental specialists. These medical experts will interpret the available medical information for you so as to make an informed decision.
- Travel to your child’s country (except for escort countries) to meet him/her and enter your adoption petition in local courts. If you travel, your child will usually stay with you while you are in the country. This can be a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted and bond with your child prior to returning to the U.S. Country representatives are available to translate and accompany you to court where the adoption is approved and you immediately become the child’s legal parent(s).
- Return to U.S. and begin post-placement requirements. These vary from country to country and Catholic Charities will assist you in completing these requirements.
INFORMATION MEETINGS
Catholic Charities hosts an international adoption information meeting on the first Wednesday of the month, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Group meetings are held at Catholic Charities Adoption Dept. at 499 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, NJ. Registration is required and can be done by calling 201-246-7378 or e-mail to adoptions@ccannj.org.
Twice a year Catholic Charities co-hosts a group meeting with representative from Children’s Home Society and Family Services of Minnesota. Dates and time of these meeting are posted on our website. Applicants unable to attend a group meeting can request an individual meeting with a social worker to obtain information.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Congratulations! If you are submitting an application to Catholic Charities for an International Adoption home study, you are on your way. Return your completed application and application fee ($250) to Catholic Charities, 499 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, NJ 07032. As soon as your application is received your file is opened and assigned to a social worker who will contact you to initiate your home study.
Applications are available by calling 201-246-7378 to request one to be mailed to you.
