Our guiding principle is that every child deserves a family. If a child is already without a family when we first meet them, our priority is to help build a nurturing family for them. And that is a responsibility we have taken very seriously for half a century. The organization that eventually became Wide Horizons For Children started as a feeding center in Saigon during the Vietnam War, with a sole focus on caring for babies that had been orphaned by the conflict. Since then, we have 50 years of experience in placing children in loving homes through adoption.
With this track record, you know you can trust Wide Horizons if you’re looking to grow your family through adoption. We work with families across the United States to provide loving homes to vulnerable children from the countries where we work.
To learn more about adopting through Wide Horizons, click on the button below.
*** THE JANUARY 1, 2026 PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION, LINKED HERE, HAS EXCLUDED U.S. VISAS FOR CHILDREN ADOPTED FROM BURUNDI. UNTIL FURTHER CLARIFICATION IS PROVIDED BY THE WHITE HOUSE, WHFC IS NOT ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS / APPLICATIONS FOR FAMILIES ONLY INTERESTED IN ADOPTING CHILDREN FROM BURUNDI. ***
Adoption may be the most important, life-changing decision you’ll ever make. We don’t take the responsibility of building families lightly. Wide Horizons has been dedicated to the well-being and security of vulnerable and orphaned children for 50 years. We are proud to be recognized as a leader in the field of adoption, and we work with trusted partners on the ground — with a wealth of local knowledge about that particular country — in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the United States.
Every family who entrusts their adoption process to Wide Horizons can expect to work with a social worker who has decades of experience, deep knowledge, and provides personalized support.
We are by your side before, during and after you have grown your family through adoption.
These are useful resources to begin your journey:
Review an outline of our adoption programs
Learn about the financial resources that might be available to help you
We understand just how daunting and complex the adoption process can be! That’s why we offer a FREE 30-minute phone consultation for prospective adoptive parents.
Q: How long will my adoption take?
A: A typical international adoption process can take anywhere from 12-36 months, with the average time being around 18-24 months. How long you may wait to be united with a child will depend on the program you select and the child (age, gender, race, siblings, special needs) you are hoping to adopt. Review our Adoption Information Guide for program specific time frames.
Q: Is my family eligible to adopt?
A: Wide Horizons For Children welcomes all types of families. We know the criteria for a loving, supportive family isn’t a quantitative measurement of age, marital status, or family size. However, we work with child welfare officials in many different countries, each of which has their own individual requirements that prospective parents must meet. Your eligibility will differ depending on the program. As an inclusive agency, we offer a range of options for singles, older parents, large families, and LGBT parents. Schedule a personal phone consultation to explore your eligibility.
Q: Who are the children who need families?
A: Boys and girls of all ages are in need of adoption. Most children adopted internationally range in age from 2 years old to teenagers when they join their family. Many children are physically healthy, but have experienced a tough start in life. Still other children may have a medical or developmental need. We know importance of working closely with each family to understand your openness and capacity as parents. This personalized approach helps ensure each child finds the family that was meant just for them.
Q: How much does adoption cost?
A: Wide Horizons For Children believes in transparency in adoption pricing. International Adoption is a significant financial undertaking for most families. Costs range between $30,000-$50,000 for most WHFC adoptions. The cost of an adoption depends on the range and type of adoption services provided; the program selected; and related expenses, such as travel. Fee schedules for our each of our programs can be found in our Adoption Information Guide.There are many opportunities to make Adoption Affordable through subsidies, grants, and tax credits and workplace benefits.
Q: How will I navigate the adoption process?
A: From the moment you choose to Start Your International Adoption with Wide Horizons For Children, your adoption team will guide you every step of the way. You’ll never be a number, but instead work with a small adoption team that will personally know your family and lead you with support and expertise. We’ll make the process manageable. Whether it’s helping you with the initial adoption paperwork or expertly planning your travel when you meet your child, you’ll be happy to have trusted Wide Horizons to help grow your family.
