Through A Love Beyond Borders Ethiopian partnership program we are able to provide a flexible adoption program that is inclusive of a wide-range of qualified potential parents, including single women, families with several children, and older parents. We work with established, well-run orphanages throughout Ethiopia with staff well-versed in maneuvering through Ethiopia's legal system. You will be guided through each step of the adoption process and escorted to adoption appointments while in Addis Ababa.
There are estimates of as many as four million children in Ethiopia living without parents or families. These children are orphaned by poverty, AIDS, political conditions and disabling infrastructure. Yet even faced with these conditions the people and children of Ethiopia live an emotionally generous life, embodying the philosophy of "It takes a village to raise a child.". This means that an older child adopted from Ethiopia who has lived in an extended family environment -- even those living in orphanages – may typically manifest fewer developmental or emotional issues as a child adopted from orphanages in other countries.
The children from Ethiopia are typically healthy and/or have correctable health conditions. Adoptive parent requirements are flexible. Young babies and sibling groups are available. Two trips of one week each are required to complete the adoption in Ethiopia.
Children in Our Ethiopian Program:
Children six months to 14 years of age.
Both boys and girls are available for adoption.
First time parents should be flexible in regards to gender selection.
Children are generally healthy, but may have
parasites and other treatable conditions caused due to living
conditions. Children are tested - at minimum -- for HIV/AIDS, and
Hepatitis and several other conditions. Special needs children are
available.
Many older sibling groups are available.
Adoptive Parents Requirements in Ethiopia:
Single women and married
couples may apply.
Couples must be married at least one year. Applications cannot be
accepted from pregnant women. Previous divorce is allowed. One parent
must be a US Citizen.
Parents must be at least 25
years of age. There is
no statutory age limit. Those 25-49 may adopt an infant. Those over 50
may adopt an older child.
There is no limit to the
number of children
already in the home. Large families can adopt as long as you can show
sufficient income.
Travel to Ethiopia
Travel for the first trip to meet your child and attend court is approximately five days and comfortable accommodations are available. Travel for the second trip is approximately five days as well. Clients are fully escorted to adoption-related proceedings while in Ethiopia. Escort is available for those families who are unable to travel for the second trip as long as it is requested well in advance. Please speak with one of our staff members for further information on this optional service. Because both adoptive parents will meet the child prior to court the child will arrive to the US on an IR3 visa, a category which confers automatic US Citizenship upon the child.
Timelines
& Process for Ethiopian Adoption
Due to our ever-expanding network of orphanages, the wait for a referral is relatively quick compared to many programs. Once you submit your completed dossier it will take approximately 6-8 months to receive a referral of a young child, then 3-5 months to complete the adoption. Approximately 2-3 months after accepting a referral both adoptive parents will travel to Ethiopia to meet the child and attend court. You will then return home and about eight weeks later receive word that you may return to Ethiopia to receive your child, complete the immigration process and bring your child home!!
Families desiring to adopt children older than six, special needs, or older sibling groups may receive a referral much faster than the usual referral timeline.
The timeframe will depend greatly on the age and gender of the child(ren) you are seeking to adopt. Waits are longest for families desiring young babies, especially baby girls.
Through A Love Beyond Borders Ethiopian partnership program we are able to provide a flexible adoption program that is inclusive of a wide-range of qualified potential parents, including single women, families with several children, and older parents. We work with established, well-run orphanages throughout Ethiopia with staff well-versed in maneuvering through Ethiopia's legal system. You will be guided through each step of the adoption process and escorted to adoption appointments while in Addis Ababa. 
