International adoption is full of heart. But it also comes with legal steps, country requirements, and U.S. immigration rules that don’t always go smoothly.
If you’re a U.S. citizen hoping to adopt a child from another country, you’ll need to follow more than just adoption laws—you’ll be dealing with immigration law too. And when the process crosses borders, things get complicated fast. Countries in the Hague Adoption Convention follow strict timelines, forms, and approvals. Some steps happen in the child’s country, others happen in the U.S., and all of it needs to line up just right.
That’s where many prospective adoptive parents pause. Do you really need a lawyer to handle all this? Or can your adoption service provider cover everything?
This guide walks you through the full intercountry adoption process, shows you where legal help can protect you, and explains how a licensed immigration attorney fits into the picture, especially if delays or denials could put your future child’s arrival at risk.
Let’s break it down clearly and calmly.
What Counts as International Adoption?
International adoption, also called intercountry adoption, means adopting a child from another country while living in the United States. It sounds simple, but the process is not the same everywhere. Each country has its own rules, and the U.S. also has strict immigration steps that prospective adoptive parents must follow.
If you’re adopting from a Hague Convention country, like India or Colombia, the Hague process applies. This means you must work with an accredited adoption service provider, and both countries must follow the Hague Adoption Convention. The goal is to protect children and ensure the adoption is in the best interest of the child. The child must also meet eligibility rules before they can immigrate to the United States.
For non-Hague countries, the process is different. These countries don’t follow the international treaty, so adoptive parents often face more steps to prove they are suitable and eligible, and that the child qualifies under U.S. immigration law. Because each country sets its own conditions, the adoption process isn’t one-size-fits-all.
In June 2025, South Korea officially joined the Hague Convention, adding more structure to its intercountry adoption system. This shift, reported by AP News, means more safeguards for children and a more transparent process for adoptive families. It also shows how international adoption rules are still evolving.
Can You Do an International Adoption Without a Lawyer?
Yes, you can complete an international adoption without hiring a lawyer, but it’s not always wise. Many prospective adoptive parents try to manage the process on their own to save money or because they think the steps look straightforward online. Some even rely entirely on their adoption service provider, believing legal help isn’t necessary.
But the truth is, international adoption comes with complex rules across two governments. If you’re working with a Hague Convention country, the Hague process includes strict requirements: you must use an approved ASP, file Form I-800A with Citizenship and Immigration Services, go through a home study, and wait for a decision that you’re both suitable and eligible. Then, you have to match with a child who’s been cleared as eligible for intercountry adoption by the central authority of their country.
For non-Hague countries, the paperwork may look different, but the pressure is the same. Without a lawyer, you’re on your own to interpret immigration law, handle your visa application, and follow country-specific steps that could affect your ability to obtain legal custody or even immigrate to the United States with your child.
Doing it without an immigration attorney doesn’t make it impossible. But with timelines, official forms, and rights of birth parents involved, even one error can delay or derail the entire process. Legal mistakes aren’t just frustrating—they can affect the child’s eligibility or your ability to finalize the adoption.
5 Times You’ll Wish You Had a Lawyer (Even If You Start Without One)
Even families who begin their international adoption without legal help often change course once they hit roadblocks. Here are five moments where having an immigration attorney makes a real difference.
🌍 When the sending country’s laws clash with U.S. immigration rules
Lisa and Mark started an adoption in Nigeria but ran into trouble when the Nigerian court order didn’t match USCIS requirements. They thought they were done, only to find out the adoption wasn’t recognized under U.S. immigration law. A lawyer helped them re-file the right way, something they couldn’t have done alone.
📄 When your home study or Form I-600A gets flagged
A family from Ohio submitted their home study and Form I-600A but didn’t realize the social worker had used outdated guidelines. USCIS flagged it, delaying their approval. An experienced adoption lawyer helped them respond quickly and avoid a full denial.
🛂 When visa delays affect your timeline or travel
After completing the adoption in Colombia, one couple expected to bring their daughter home in two weeks. Instead, their immigrant visa got delayed due to embassy backlogs. With a lawyer’s help, they escalated the case and got it resolved faster than most families stuck in the same situation.
🔁 When something changes mid-process
Midway through their adoption from a Hague country, one couple got pregnant, and thought everything could continue as planned. But adding a biological child changed their home study and country eligibility. A lawyer stepped in to help revise their documents and explain the shift to Citizenship and Immigration Services.
🧾 When USCIS or a consulate issues a Request for Evidence (RFE)
An RFE can feel intimidating, especially when it asks for foreign court records or adoption decrees. One single father adopting from Bulgaria received an RFE asking for proof of a legal relinquishment in a language he didn’t understand. His lawyer coordinated a certified translation and guided him through the response before the deadline.
What an International Adoption Lawyer Actually Does?
Adoption isn’t just paperwork, and an attorney does much more than file forms. A skilled immigration attorney working within immigration law and international adoption processes brings clarity and advocacy to every step.
Visa preparation & Hague compliance
Lawyers ensure the family meets U.S. requirements like filing Form I‑800A, handling dossier reviews, and coordinating with the adoption service provider under the Hague Adoption Convention. For example, they review visa documents to prevent common errors before they delay the visa application process.
Advocacy with embassies and USCIS
When communication stalls, whether due to embassy backlogs or questions from citizenship and immigration services, a lawyer intervenes, using official channels and recognized U.S. state department protocols to move the case forward.
Collaboration with agencies, not opposition
Many prospective adoptive parents find that attorneys work alongside accredited agencies and providers, not in conflict. The agency may manage social work and placement, while the lawyer ensures legal custody is secured both abroad and at final adoption in the U.S.
Real-world compliance and protection
In 2019, U.S. intercountry adoptions dropped 73% from 2010 levels, a trend partly attributed to stricter international regulations. In response, experienced lawyers help families navigate increasingly complex treaty standards, ensure timely document processing, and protect parental rights before foreign courts.
Having a lawyer means you’re not alone when the international adoption process winds through shifting laws, different languages, and cross-border requirements, from the child’s country to the U.S. immigration process finalization.
Does Everyone Need a Lawyer?
Not always. Some citizen prospective adoptive parents use agencies for Hague Convention adoptee cases, especially when the sending country is a party to the Hague and a primary provider is involved.
If both the parents and the adopted child are found eligible, and the child can immigrate immediately, a lawyer may not be needed.
But in transition cases, or when agencies can’t provide legal advice, delays and mistakes can follow. Legal help ensures your proposed adoption meets U.S. and foreign law, especially when you must re-adopt or navigate the official government website process.
How Much Does an International Adoption Lawyer Cost?
Hiring a lawyer for international adoption typically ranges between $2,500 and $8,000, depending on your case’s complexity and the child’s country of origin. In contrast, the total cost of international adoption generally falls between $20,000 and $50,000, with legal costs making up a small but crucial portion of that expense.
This investment adds significant value, saving weeks or months in processing time, reducing the risk of denials, and protecting your legal and emotional journey. Many families find that hiring an attorney early prevents costly mistakes and ensures a smooth, secure transition for everyone involved.
What to Ask Before Hiring an Adoption Lawyer?
Before you hire a lawyer for your proposed adoption, ask the right questions. Not all attorneys are experienced in international adoptions, and even fewer understand the difference between a Hague Convention adoptee and a child from a non-Hague country.
Start by asking if they’ve worked with both Hague and non-Hague processes. Find out if they know USCIS timelines inside out, and if they’ve handled re-adoption cases once the adopted child enters the U.S. For citizen prospective adoptive parents who wish to adopt a child that meets all eligibility criteria to immigrate immediately, experience matters.
In 2023, about 2,102 children were adopted internationally by U.S. citizens, a process filled with country-specific and legal complexities. [U.S. Department of State – Intercountry Adoption Statistics]
Final Tips Before You File Anything
Before you choose a lawyer, ask the right questions to protect your family’s journey and make sure your proposed adoption stays on track.
Start with their experience. Ask, “Have you worked on both Hague and non-Hague adoption cases?” This matters, especially if the child is from a country that is party to the Hague. You want someone who understands the Hague process and what it means for your Hague Convention adoptee to immigrate immediately and be found suitable and found eligible under both U.S. and foreign laws.
Also ask, “Do you know current USCIS timelines?” These can affect how fast a citizen prospective adoptive parent can bring an adopted child to the U.S., especially if they wish to adopt from a country with stricter rules.
Finally, ask about post-adoption needs. Can they support re-adoption, reentry, or transition cases? Can they provide legal advice if issues arise with your primary provider or embassy filings?
The right lawyer doesn’t replace your agency—they support it, helping both sides work in cooperation to protect your family’s future.
Thinking About Adopting Internationally? Let’s Talk Before You File
International adoption is full of moving parts. From changing immigration timelines to confusing reentry rules, even one missed detail can delay or derail your case. But you don’t have to face this alone.
At The Chidolue Law Firm, we guide families through the entire international adoption process from navigating Hague and non-Hague procedures to handling readoption and final entry. We help you prepare the right forms, meet USCIS requirements, and move forward with clarity and confidence.
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