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Beyond Adoption
Once your adoption is finalized and your child is home, adoption regulations require a licensed adoption agency to complete regularly scheduled post-adoption visits and written reports. The agency providing your “post” services is responsible for checking on the overall adjustment of your child and your entire family.
These post-adoption services include an interview with your family and observations of your child. This interview is a wonderful time to talk with your social worker/adoption caseworker about any concerns and share any progress you have observed.
A compilation of the information obtained during the visit results in a report, typically accompanied by pictures. The reports will ultimately be sent to your child’s country of origin and will often also be required by the courts here in the United States if you are doing any court proceedings.
CCAI’s goal during every post-adoption/placement visit is to offer support and guidance. We recognize that this is a transitional time for everyone in the family, and we want you to have the tools you need as you seek to meet the needs of your newest family member.
Post-adoption supervision is required by the country from which you adopted your child. Reporting frequency and timelines are dictated by each individual country and are not flexible. Most countries require face-to-face visits with the child and all family members, with visits occurring in the home. This process exists to provide support for your family and to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all your child(ren), adopted or biological. As part of the reporting process, your social worker will assist you in supporting successful attachment, will provide guidance on navigating family adjustment, and can be a valuable resource if you need further assistance at any time.
In addition to country requirements, you must comply with any post adoption reporting requirements for the state in which you reside.
Check country specific guidelines below.
For more information, please contact us.
The post-adoption or post-placement supervision process exists to provide support for your family and to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of all your child(ren), adopted or biological. As part of the reporting process, your social worker will assist you in supporting successful attachment, will provide guidance on navigating family adjustment, and can be a valuable resource if you need further assistance at any time. In addition to what is required by the country for international adoptions, each state may have it’s own supervision and reporting requirements.
COLORADO – Post-placement supervision is required by the State of Colorado for a minimum period of six months after placement prior to finalization of a domestic or international adoption. Several face-to-face visits with the child and all family members are necessary.
FLORIDA – For international adoptions finalized in country, the State of Florida does not have post-adoption reporting requirements beyond what is required by the country from which you adopted. For domestic adoptions, Florida requires face-to-face post-placement supervision and reporting one time monthly until the finalization of the adoption (which does not happen for at least 6 months post-placement).
GEORGIA – For international adoptions finalized in country, the State of Georgia does not have post-adoption reporting requirements beyond what is required by the country from which you adopted. For domestic adoptions, Georgia requires face-to-face post-placement supervision and reporting one time monthly until the finalization of the adoption.
OTHER STATES – Please check with your home study agency for state-specific post-adoption supervision and reporting requirements.
For more information, please contact us.
Two years of post-adoption reporting requirements, with a total of four visits and reports completed by a social worker with a licensed child placement agency. Four to five color photos must also be submitted with the reports. The reports are due to CCAI at:
Five years of post-adoption reporting requirements, with a total of six reports. Eight color photos must also be submitted with the reports.
The first three reports need to be completed by a social worker with a Hague or COA accredited agency and are due at:
The final three reports are self-reports which will be submitted to CCAI and are due to CCAI at:
Families adopting one child under the age of eight – Two years of post-adoption reporting requirements, with a total of four visits and reports completed by a social worker with a licensed child placement agency. 10 photos printed on photo paper must accompany the reports. The reports are due to CCAI at:
Families adopting one child over the age of eight or adopting siblings, regardless of their ages – Three years of post-adoption reporting requirements, with a total of six visits and reports completed by a social worker with a licensed child placement agency. A separate report is required for each adopted child. 10 photos printed on photo paper must accompany each child’s report. The reports are due to CCAI at:
Seven years of post-adoption reporting requirements, with a total of 10 reports. 20+ photos and videos must be submitted with each report.
The 3 month and 12 month visits and reports must be completed by a social worker with a licensed child placement agency. The remaining reports are self-reports which will be submitted to CCAI. The reports are due to CCAI at:
Ukraine requires adoptive parents to provide post-adoption self-reports directly to the Consular Office of the Embassy of Ukraine annually, during the first three years following the adoption, and then once every three years thereafter, until the child’s 18th birthday. Each state or home study agency may have additional post adoption reporting requirements.
Adoptive families must also submit a copy of their first self-report to CCAI.
The child arrival files are the documents you received in-country pertaining to your adoption, in both languages, and include:
• Adoption Decree/Adoption Registration/Final Ruling/Final Judgment
• Child’s Birth Certificate from Country of Adoption
• Relinquishment/Termination of Parental Rights/Abandonment Certificate (depending on the country you are adopting from, this information may also be included in the adoption decree)
A Certificate of Citizenship is permanent proof that your child has U.S. citizenship. This document should be stored in a safe place.
For families in which both parents finalized their adoption abroad and whose adopted child arrived in the U.S. prior to age 14, the Certificate of Citizenship will be sent to you automatically from USCIS.
For families in which both parents finalized their adoption abroad and whose adopted child entered the U.S between the ages of 14 and 17, your child will be invited to an oath/swearing in ceremony, where they will receive their Certificate of Citizenship.
For families in which only one parent finalized the adoption abroad in a non-Hague country or for
families who regularly reside outside the U.S., your child will not receive a Certificate of Citizenship
automatically. You must apply for your child’s Certificate of Citizenship.
Contact our Post Adoption Manager for the steps you will need to take for your specific situation.
Most families receive a social security card automatically in the mail 1-3 weeks after arriving home. If you receive the card automatically, it may be in your child’s original name. If that is the case, then you will need to file for a name change/corrected card with Social Security. If you can, wait for the Certificate of Citizenship to arrive before getting a corrected card, then you will also be able to update your child’s citizenship status with Social Security at the same time. The social security number will not change so feel free to use it in the mean-time.
If you do not receive the social security card automatically, then you will need to apply for one. The best option is to apply after receiving a Certificate of Citizenship, so that your child will be given a card in their American name and also be listed as a U.S. citizen with Social Security. If a card is needed more quickly, the child’s U.S. visa can be substituted for the Certificate temporarily, but a copy of the Certificate will be needed to change your child’s name and/or citizenship status.
Many states require that families who adopt internationally complete a re-adoption, validation of foreign adoption, or domestication process in their local court after arriving home with their adopted child. A re-adoption, validation of foreign adoption, or domestication process in their local court may also be required in order to obtain a U.S. state issued birth certificate/certificate of foreign birth for your child, and if so, you can complete the name change at the same time. Your home study agency can provide you with the most up to date information for completing a name change and obtaining a U.S. state issued birth certificate/certificate of foreign birth in your state of residence.
CCAI highly recommends obtaining a U.S. state issued birth certificate/certificate of foreign birth for your child. This document is easily recognizable and easy to replace if needed.
Some states require families to first register their adoptions with the local court, or re-adopt their children, before a birth certificate can be issued. If this is required, it is important to complete this process so that there are no legal loopholes for your adoption in your state, even though it is completely final on the national level.
Your home study agency can provide you with the most current information on your state’s requirements. During validation or re-adoption you may legally change your child’s name at birth to the new name you selected for them at the time of adoption. This will be reflected in the validation or re-adoption court decree and the U.S. state issued birth certificate.
The court decree issued by your county/state of residence and the U.S./state issued birth certificate will be in English. If you should you need to prove the adoption throughout your child’s life, it will be easier for you and/or your child to be able to refer to these two documents that are written in English, connect you to one another in a legal parent/child relationship, and are easily recognizable and accepted legal documents.
It is easier and much more affordable to replace a state issued adoption decree and U.S./state issued birth certificate in cases of loss or theft than it may be trying to obtain a new certified copy of the original ones issued in the foreign country, which will likely be impossible.
Since federal laws, such as Social Security, may be based upon a state’s underlying law regarding adoption, many U.S. states will not accept a foreign adoption decree or foreign birth certificate in determining an adopted child’s eligibility for social security benefits, but may instead require a state issued adoption decree and state issued birth certificate.
An adoption decree and birth certificate issued from your state of residence will confirm your child’s adoption status under U.S. laws, protecting your legal parent/child relationship.
| Expense | Amount | Pmt Method | Pay To | Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $250 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Application submission |
| Child Abuse Record Search | $35/Family | Check | CO Dept of Human Service | Application submission |
| IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee | $500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (Sent to IAAME) | After App Approval |
| First Program Fee (Includes Home Study) | $5,700 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | After App Approval |
| CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search | $39.50 per person | Money Order | Colorado Bureau of Investigation | After App Approval |
| USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting | $775 plus $85/adult | Check/Money Order | US Dept. of Homeland Security | Upon I-800A submission |
| Dossier Preparation | Approx. $450-$900 | Check/Money Order | Secretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s) | As preparing Dossier |
| Second Program Fee | $5,050 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| CCCWA Fee | $1,270 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| Third Program Fee | $5,500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee | $300 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Court Validation Deposit | $200 | Check | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable) | $450 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Visa to enter China | $140 (plus courier fee) | Check/Credit Card | Chinese Consulate via a courier/travel agency | Approximately one month before travel to China |
| US Domestic & International Airfare | $1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket) | Credit Card | A travel agency/airline of your choice | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| In China Travel & Accommodations | Approx. $4,000-$4,400 for two adults | ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (wired to China) | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| Adoption Registration and Notarization | $800 – $1,000 | Cash | Local government in China | In China |
| Orphanage Donation | (Voluntary) | Cash or Wire | Orphanage | In China |
| Child’s Passport | $100-$150 | Cash | Local passport agency | In China |
| Food | $700 – $800 per couple | Cash/Credit Card | Hotel(s), restaurant(s) | In China |
| Child Physical & Photo | $130-$150 | Cash | Clinic | In Guangzhou, China |
| Child U.S. Entry Visa | $325 | Cash or Check | U.S. Consulate | In China |
| Court Validation Fee | $167 | Check | County Court | After U.S. Return |
| Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate | $37.75 | Check | Colorado Vital Statistics Office | After U.S. Return |
| Lutheran Family Services | $250 | Check | Lutheran Family Services via CCAI | When Home Study is approved by CCAI |
