International Adoption FAQs

On average Vista Del Mar completes 15-30 home studies during one year.

For an international adoption home study, there is a $500 non-refundable application fee. The home study fee is $2850. These fees do not include miscellaneous costs such as California Department of Justice live scan fingerprinting, medical appointments, home study notaries, immigration filings, immigration fingerprint clearances, placing agency fees and travel expenses.

The home study process, which entails completion of the required paperwork, education classes and three to four face-to-face contacts (dependent upon which country you are adopting from), takes between 8 and 12 weeks to complete.

In general you will need to provide documentation regarding employment, health, financial and criminal, child/abuse neglect and FBI clearances.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to adopt internationally. Since Adoptions at Vista Del Mar will be contracted to complete the home study, your placing agency will make the final determination regarding a past arrest or medical issue. Vista Del Mar is a full disclosure agency. All issues, related to but not limited arrests, medical issues, domestic partnerships and mental health issues will be disclosed in the home study narrative. Supporting documentation may be requested regarding these issues.

Once your home study has been completed, you will receive three packets:

• Packet 1 includes the notarized home study and agency licenses that have been requested by your placing agency;
• Packet 2 includes a notarized home study, a copy of Vista Del Mar’s agency license and a copy of your social worker’s license or master’s degree that will need to be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; and
• Packet 3 includes a copy of your final home study for your files.
  Each packet is labeled with instructions as to what will need to be completed.

Time frames for obtaining the approval vary greatly. Currently it is taking 2-3 months for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to process the request and submit an approval.

If your placing agency and country requires post placement/post adoption supervision, Vista Del Mar will be able to provide this service. Depending on the country as well as the placing agency, post placement/post adoption visits will vary in terms of number of visits needed.

Re-adoption is the process where the adoption is put on record in the State of California Bureau of Vital Statistics. You will receive a California Amended Birth certificate and adopt-215 (adoption decree) indicating the re-adoption. The process of re-adoption requires one visit from a social worker, completion of a report and court documents preparation.

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Intercountry Adoptions Finalized in a Foreign Country

This law requires the families that adoptions finalized abroad require them to re-adopt the child in their State of residence. Vista provides this service once you return home with your child.

Yes, the Adoption Program at Vista allows you to pursue both a domestic and international adoption at the same time. There may be some restrictions so please let us know if you would like more information about this option.