Somewhere in the world, a child is waiting. Maybe they are in a government orphanage in South America, or a care facility in Eastern Europe, or a state-run institution in South Asia. And somewhere in the United States, a family is waiting too — hearts full, home ready, hoping to be found by the child meant for them.
International adoption is one of the most profound journeys a family can take. It stretches across time zones, languages, and legal systems. It asks a lot of you. But for so many families, it is also one of the most rewarding decisions they have ever made.
At An Open Door Adoption Agency, we have been walking this road with families since 1987. We are a licensed, fully accredited agency — renewed by the Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity (IAAME) through February 2027 — and we work with families all across the United States who feel called to adopt internationally. As a smaller agency, we are personal. We get to know your family. We answer the phone. We are your advocates.
This blog is for you if you are curious about what international adoption really looks like — from the legal steps to the cultural moments to the support waiting for you on the other side. We will walk through three of our active country programs: Bulgaria, Peru, and India. Each one is different. Each one is beautiful in its own way.
Adoption From Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a stable, Hague-accredited country in Eastern Europe, and it offers one of the more uniquely structured programs in international adoption — one that lets you see your child before you commit. When the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice issues a referral, you receive it before traveling. That means you have time to review the child’s personal information, health background, family history, and photograph. You have the chance to ask questions, consult with your medical team, and make an informed decision about whether this is the right match for your family.
Once you accept a referral, two trips to Bulgaria are required. The first trip is seven days and gives you the chance to meet your child in person. The second trip, which takes ten days, is when the adoption is legally finalized. An Open Door’s Bulgarian representative — an indigenous, Hague-accredited agency — escorts you throughout the entire in-country process. Communication is excellent, and the Bulgarian process is well-defined and politically stable.
Children available for adoption in Bulgaria range from very young to older. Bulgaria classifies all children eligible for adoption as having special needs. Younger children generally come with longer wait times, while older children and sibling groups may be matched more quickly. Families can specify a list of special needs they are willing to consider, which helps the Ministry match children appropriately.
To be eligible to adopt from Bulgaria, couples must be married for at least two and a half years, and the age difference between the child and the younger spouse may not exceed 50 years (no more than 55 years with the older spouse). Previous divorce is acceptable. An Open Door specifically seeks Christian adoptive parents for this program.
One family who adopted through our Bulgaria program described it this way: the staff in Georgia and the staff in Bulgaria worked so hard together, going above and beyond at every stage, that the process felt smooth even when it was complex. That kind of hands-on partnership is what An Open Door brings to every case.
Adoption From Peru
Peru holds a special place in our agency’s story. An Open Door is one of only two agencies in the United States licensed to place children from Peru — a distinction we do not take lightly. The Peruvian government is stable and takes adoption seriously. The process is carefully regulated at the national level through the Ministry for Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP) and its adoption office, the Direccion General de Adopciones (DGA).
Peru is an excellent program for families who are open to adopting older children, sibling groups, or children who have identified special needs. Available children are typically seven years and older if they are in relatively good health, though children of all ages with identified special needs or who are part of a sibling group may also be adopted. The DGA maintains what is called a Special Adoptions Registry — a list updated approximately once a month that includes children with various medical needs, teenagers, and sibling sets. Once a family has been officially approved in Peru, they may request a specific child from this list.
The heart of the Peru adoption process is the bonding period. After the formal referral is accepted, both adoptive parents travel to Peru and spend the first four days visiting their child in the orphanage. On the fifth day, they take the child to their apartment for a two-week placement period. A MIMP psychologist meets regularly with the family during this time to assess how the bonding is going. It is an intimate, meaningful period — one that sets the foundation for the relationship that will last a lifetime. The total stay in Peru is about seven to eight weeks.
To be eligible to adopt from Peru, parents must generally be between 25 and 55 years old, married for at least two and a half years, and at least 18 years older than the child they adopt. Families with more than three children already in the home are unlikely to be approved. Peru does not set specific parameters around previous divorce or criminal history, but these are reviewed with care. Previous divorce is acceptable, and An Open Door encourages you to speak with our staff directly if you have any concerns about your eligibility.
Overall timelines in Peru can be lengthy — approval through the DGA can take 15 to 18 months, and the referral of a child may take an additional 8 months to two years, depending on the age and needs of the child you are requesting. Families who are open to older children or those with identified special needs tend to receive referrals more quickly. An Open Door works with a highly reputable psychologist in Peru who manages your in-country case from start to finish, and your adoption consultant at our agency guides you through every U.S. requirement in parallel.
For families who feel drawn to South America and want to embrace a rich Latin American culture during their adoption journey, Peru is truly remarkable. The country spans coastal desert, Andean highlands, and Amazon jungle. The time you spend there is not just a legal process — it is a life experience.
Adoption From India
An Open Door is proud to have recently been approved by India’s Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) to facilitate intercountry adoptions — making India our newest country program. India has a long and established history of placing children with forever families, and CARA administers this process in full accordance with the Hague Convention. We are honored to be part of it.
India is a program for families open to children who have identified special needs. Children in the program range from 10 months to 14 years old and typically reside in state-run institutions while awaiting adoption. Common special needs include developmental delays, minor heart conditions, orthopedic needs, hearing or vision issues, and the general impacts of institutional care. Sibling groups are rarely available through this program. Families can indicate a preference for the age and gender of the child they hope to adopt.
Eligibility for the India program is calculated in a specific way. CARA requires parents to be between 25 and 55 years old, with a minimum age gap of 25 years between the adoptive parent(s) and the child. For married couples, CARA factors in the combined age of both spouses — including months and days, not just years — to determine which age range of children a family may request. This can feel a little complex at first, but your An Open Door adoption consultant will walk you through exactly what it means for your family.
Once your home study is complete and your USCIS I-800A approval is in hand, your family’s documentation is uploaded to CARA’s online portal (called CARINGS) for review and approval. After CARA approves your family, you wait for a referral. Referral timelines vary based on the age, gender, and identified needs of the child you are open to, typically ranging from 6 to 18 months.
Once you accept a referral, your I-800 petition is filed with USCIS, and the process moves toward travel. At least one trip to India is required, lasting a minimum of 10 days and potentially 2 to 3 weeks. An Open Door has an in-country representative who accompanies you to all appointments and helps coordinate every detail.
Post-adoption reporting is required for India, with up to six social worker reports submitted at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after your child arrives home. An Open Door coordinates the submission of these reports to CARA on your behalf. It is an important part of the process, and one more way we stay connected to your family long after the adoption is finalized.
The average total timeline from the start of your adoption journey to bringing your child home from India is approximately 18 to 24 months. India is the world’s most populous democracy, with a culture stretching back thousands of years — and your child’s heritage from this remarkable country is something many adoptive families find ways to honor and celebrate throughout their child’s life.
The Role of the Home Study
No matter which country you choose, every international adoption begins with a home study. This is a thorough assessment of your family conducted by a licensed social worker. It includes background checks, medical records, financial review, reference letters, and often a psychological evaluation. It also includes required pre-adoptive education — training designed to help you understand the unique needs of children who have experienced institutional care and prepare you for the journey ahead.
If you live in the state of Georgia, An Open Door can conduct your home study directly. If you live elsewhere in the United States, we will help you find an approved agency in your state and review the completed home study to make sure it meets both USCIS and your specific country’s requirements. You can learn more about international adoption eligibility here.
Financial Guidance and Resources
We know that cost is one of the first questions families ask — and it is a fair one. International adoption does involve significant expense, including home study fees, USCIS filing fees, dossier preparation, in-country fees, travel, and agency fees. An Open Door provides a full cost disclosure so you understand exactly what to expect before you commit.
The good news is that there are real ways to reduce the financial burden. Adoptive families may be eligible for the federal adoption tax credit, employer-provided adoption benefits, adoption grants and scholarships, and low-interest loans specifically designed for adoption. Families working with An Open Door also have access to the services of an adoption finance coach. You can explore your options on our affording adoption page.
Support for Families After the Adoption
Bringing a child home is the beginning, not the end. Every country program at An Open Door includes post-adoption reporting requirements — and our team helps you fulfill them. But beyond the paperwork, we believe in the importance of ongoing support for adoptive families.
Children who have spent time in institutional care in any country may show developmental delays, attachment challenges, or other effects of early adversity. These experiences don’t define a child, but they can help families understand what kinds of support will be most helpful as they come home. An Open Door provides resources, training, and ongoing counseling to help your family feel prepared and supported throughout the transition.
Our post-international adoption care services are here to support you as you settle in at home, as your child begins to attach, and as your family finds its new rhythm. We remain a steadfast source of information and encouragement well after the ink is dry on the adoption decree.
Why Families Choose An Open Door
Many agencies offer international adoption services. What makes An Open Door different? We are a smaller agency, and we believe that matters. When you call us, someone who knows your family’s name answers the phone. When your paperwork has a deadline, our staff moves. When you are scared or confused or just need to talk through a difficult decision, we are here — not just as professionals, but as people who genuinely care about what happens to you and your child.
We have placed close to two thousand children with loving families since our founding in 1987. We have in-country representatives in Bulgaria and India who escort families through every local step. We have a reputable psychologist in Peru who handles your in-country case personally. We review home studies line by line to catch issues before they cause delays. We are your advocates — and we take that role seriously.
International adoption is not easy. But it is possible. And you do not have to figure it out alone. Visit our international adoption overview page to learn more, explore our waiting children gallery, or browse through our adoption guidebooks for a deeper look at the process.
Your child may already be waiting. We would love to help you find them.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Whether you are just beginning to explore international adoption or you are ready to apply, our team is here to answer your questions and walk alongside you. Families from anywhere in the United States are welcome to apply for our international programs.
Start your application today or contact us to speak with one of our adoption consultants. We are available 24/7 at 800-868-6339.