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I live in Michigan and wish to adopt a child from another country; what is the process?

International adoption is a complicated endeavor involving the laws of the adoptee’s country, as well as federal and state laws in this country. In Michigan, licensed private child-placing agencies handle international adoptions. There are a few licensed adoption agencies in Michigan that only complete the family assessment (home study) and provide supervision on behalf of out-of-state organizations, which handle the actual adoptive placement. Because requirements for adoptive families vary considerably, depending on the nation involved, a family needs to consult with an experienced adoption agency that specializes in international adoptions. A list of agencies is online at www.michfed.org. The adoptive placement of a child from a foreign country is also subject to the approval of Michigan’s Interstate Compact Administrator located within the Department of Human Services. The provisions of the compact ensure that all applicable laws and policies are followed for an international adoption.