Getting Started - International Adoption

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM) International Adoption Program responds to the needs of children and families by providing comprehensive home study services and post-placement supervision for Colorado families. LFSRM provides personal and individual support throughout your adoption journey. We are Hague compliant and are a member of the National Conference for Adoptive Families. (NCFA)

LFSRM provides the following services for families pursuing international adoptions

• Home study that meets the requirements of the State of Colorado and USCIS.
• Assistance with USCIS submissions and coordination with the Primary agency
• Supervision of the placements by visits and reports to the International Agency.
• Assistance in re-validation services to obtain a US birth certificate
• Ongoing support and referrals to post adoption resources.

First Step: Choose A Country

There are real considerations to be made when choosing a country. Some agencies may recommend selecting more than one in case circumstances change during your wait. Before you decide to adopt internationally, have you asked yourself what it means to adopt outside of the United States? When you adopt internationally you also adopt the country of your child’s birth.

Second Step: Select a Primary Adoption Agency

For international adoptions, LFSRM collaborates with U.S. Adoption Service Providers (ASP) to work together to give your family a wide selection of countries and programs from which to adopt from. The selected ASP helps match you with a child and provides in-country services. We work closely with these ASPs:

Next Steps

• Apply to Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFSRM) and submit necessary paperwork to initiate direct services in Colorado. You must also complete an application with the International Primary Agency of your choice.
• Complete the Home Study process with LFSRM. This includes: home visits, reference checks, background checks, and physicals.
  • Attend our 2-day training class for adoptive families (Colorado requires 16 hours of face-to-face training)
• Upon completion of your home study, LFSRM will submit your written Home Study to:
  • Your International Adoption Agency
  • State of Colorado (ICPC) for approval
  • USCIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) for approval
• Work with your International Adoption Agency to finalize all international paperwork. This includes the Dossier, in order to send to the country from which you are adopting.
• Wait for referral of a child or travel to the country to meet a child (country dependent.)
• Travel to country to pick up your child and return to the U.S.

Post Placement

• Complete post-placement supervision with your LFSRM counselor. This will vary based on specific state and country requirements.
• Minimum of 3 post placement visits
• Ongoing support for you and your family when you need it
• Self Reports

Finalization

• Re-validate or finalize adoption (country dependent) in the State of Colorado through the court system in order to receive a U.S. Birth Certificate for your child.

For any questions or clarifications, please contact us at 303.217.5863 or send us an email.