INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators

July 18, 2002

The State Department has received a growing number of complaints concerning adoption facilitators operating in various countries. Licensing of agents and facilitators is done in accordance with local law. Unfortunately, not all foreign governments require that agents and facilitators be licensed. Accordingly, it can be difficult to hold facilitators accountable for fraud, malfeasance, or other bad practices in general. Under these circumstances the Department of State cannot endorse individual adoption facilitators in a given country.

We strongly urge American citizens contemplating international adoption to retain the services of a reputable adoption agency licensed by one or more U.S. States. Adopting parents should question their agency about the qualifications and experience of any facilitators it might use in a foreign country and the degree to which the agency assumes responsibility for the actions of its agents or facilitators. We would encourage adopting parents to consider carefully their decision to use a particular agency if that agency asserts that it is not responsible for the actions of its agents or facilitators.

Adopting parents should check with the State licensing agencies and consumer protection agencies, such as the Better Business Bureau, regarding the qualifications of and possible complaints against adoption agencies. Contact information for State licensing agencies is available from Child Welfare Information Gateway.

There are numerous Web sites on the Internet that adopting parents can check for information, including complaints, regarding adoption service providers. Please note, however, that the Department of State cannot endorse nor assume any responsibility for the content of these Web sites.

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