How to Adopt

We understand just how daunting the adoption process can be so we offer everyone who adopts through us support tailored to their needs. Our almost 50 years of experience and deep expertise have shown us that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t right for either prospective adoptive parents or the adoptees themselves.

how to adopt a child | Wide Horizons For Children

Our Adoption Programs at a Glance

Burundi

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

(not at all-inclusive)

married couples and single women age 30–55

some flexibility for older children


CHILDREN AVAILABLE

age 2–10, sibling groups, waiting children (rarely)


CURRENT WAIT TIME

FAMILIES NEEDED!
9–18 months for referral

one 2–4-week trip; travel 8–12 months after acceptance of referral


ESTIMATED COSTS

(excluding travel and other variable costs)

Approximately $38,000

before tax credits, grants and subsidies (if applicable)

Colombia

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

(not at all-inclusive)

married couples and singles age 25 or older

oldest applicant no more than 45 years older than youngest child being adopted; exceptions for older children and children with special needs; gay or lesbian applicants welcome


CHILDREN AVAILABLE

mostly older children, sibling groups, waiting children

openness to moderate/significant medical needs required for children under 8, unless of Colombian heritage; relative adoptions welcomed


CURRENT WAIT TIME

FAMILIES NEEDED!
children adopted through Kidsave will arrive home in under 1 year

varies based on child request; one 3–6-week trip; travel about 8 weeks after referral


ESTIMATED COSTS

(excluding travel and other variable costs)

Approximately $42,000

before tax credits, grants and subsidies (if applicable)

Philippines

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

(not at all-inclusive)

married couples age 27 or older and single women for children over 8

adoptive mother must be no more than 45 years older than the child


CHILDREN AVAILABLE

mostly older children, sibling groups, waiting children

relative adoptions welcomed


CURRENT WAIT TIME

FAMILIES NEEDED!
varies – can be fast for waiting children

one 1-week trip; travel 4–6 months after referral


ESTIMATED COSTS

(excluding travel and other variable costs)

Approximately $30,000

before tax credits, grants and subsidies (if applicable)

Home Study

Just need a home study and post-placement services? Some families have already identified an accredited child-placing provider and are simply seeking a local home study agency. If you live in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey or certain areas of New York, we can conduct your home study and post-placement services.

Our Full Service Child Placement Process

1: Book a Free Phone Consultation

2: Apply to Wide Horizons For Children

Complete an easy 2-step application to immediately begin your adoption process. First, complete a brief online registration form and make a payment of $350. Then, your adoption coordinator will guide you through completing your full application paperwork.

3. Get “Paperwork Ready”

  1. Home Study: The process you undertake to be approved as an adoptive parent. Your home study will including meetings with your social worker, assessments, and education to prepare you for adoption.
  2. US Immigration Approval: (for international adoption only). Pre-approval from the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to immigrate an adopted child into the US.
  3. Program Application/Dossier submission: Every international adoption program has a specific set of documents that are required to apply to the program. This is referred to as a “dossier”. For US infant adoption, you will submit a personalized photo album introducing your family to expectant parents considering an adoption plan.

It takes most families 4-6 months to get “paperwork ready”.

4. Wait to be Matched with a Child

Once your paperwork is submitted to an adoption program, you are now officially waiting to be matched with a child! How long you wait depends greatly depends on the program you select AND your openness to the child’s age, gender, medical needs, race, and sibling status. View current waiting times for each program in our downloadable Adoption Guide.

5. Child Referral

When a child is matched with your family it’s called a “Child Referral”. Your Program Manager will contact you immediately and share all the child information available including medical, developmental, social history, photos and video (if available).

6. Travel

For both international and domestic adoption, you will travel to take custody of your child and complete the adoption paperwork. Your Program Manager will help plan your trip and arrange for all necessary supports. Refer to the Adoption Guide for the country specific travel requirements.

7. Welcome Home

It’s now time to celebrate your child’s arrival. Wide Horizons will help support all family members during this time of significant adjustment. Your local social worker will visit you in your home, offer advice and resources, and write reports that will be submitted to officials in your child’s birth country.

We know that your family’s adoption journey doesn’t end at child placement, and we are proud to offer a full range of post adoption services (link to this)to our families throughout their child’s lifetime.


For our most comprehensive information


The Cost of Adoption

We understand that for most families, adoption is a significant financial undertaking. Wide Horizons For Children is transparent about all adoption fees – not just what you pay to us.

Adoption fees can range from $30,000-$50,000 depending on the program you select. For detailed costs by program, please refer to our Adoption Guide. Current costs by program are:

  • Burundi – approximately $38,000 (before tax credits, grants and subsidies, if applicable)
  • Colombia – approximately $42,000 (before tax credits, grants and subsidies, if applicable)
  • Philippines – approximately $30,000 (before tax credits, grants and subsidies, if applicable)
  • Home Study – $2,000

Financial Resources to Help Make Adoption More Affordable

There are many opportunities for you to make your child’s adoption more affordable, including subsidies through Wide Horizons For Children, as well as tax credits and deductions, general adoption grants, loans, adoption benefits in the workplace and other sources of funding.

Ask us about eligibility for grants up to $15,000 for the adoption of Waiting Children.


Get Started and Book a Free Phone Consultation Today

Choose the option which best meets your needs.