India is a fantastic program that many people don't realize is an option for them.  I want to help families understand the many reasons why they choose to adopt through our India program.

1.  The children are beautiful!

2.  The waiting list is short right now.- This is the perfect time to sign up, as we have a short list of families waiting for referrals.

3.  The majority of the children appear to be healthy.- Most of the children available have no major health concerns reported.

4.  There are special needs children available, and many times the fees are reduced.- This is on a case by case basis.  Contact me for specifics on particular children.

5.  We have many available children waiting for families.- Due to the number of children we have available, there are many "waiting children" who have not been accepted by contracted families, and can therefore be offered to families who have not yet contracted.

6.  You can adopt sibling groups.- India does not allow families to adopt more than one unrelated child at a time, but we currently have 3 sibling groups available for adoption.  Siblings must be adopted together.

7.  The travel requirements are minimal.- India requires only 1 trip of approximately 1 week, to bring home your child.

8.  Only one parent must travel to bring your child home.- Both parents can travel if they wish, but only one parent is required to travel.  This is a good option for families with children at home.

9.  Constant communication between IFS and our coordinators in India.- We are in almost daily contact with our coordinators in India.  This means quick responses to your questions.

10.  The total cost can be much less than other countries.- India is one of the lowest cost international programs available.

11.  Children range in age from infants to school age.- Families have a variety of ages to consider.

12.  Families can have up to 4 children for a young child.- At least one of our facilities allows families to have up to 4 children in the home.

13.  Families with more children, may be accepted for older or special needs children.- If a family has more than 4 children, there are exceptions made for them to adopt older or special needs children.  This is done on a case by case basis.

14.  We work with several regions/facilities in India.- Having the opportunity to work with many regions and facilities in India allows us to help a more families.  This gives us more referrals, and more options for family size, etc.

15.  IFS has over 9 years of experience with adoptions from India.- IFS has been helping with adoptions through India for over 9 years.

16.  The average adoption takes 12 months or less to complete, after a family's dossier is in India.- Every adoption is different, so there is no way to give a definite time frame, but 12 months is a good approximate.

17.  There are no high income requirements.-  They do require that a family's income be above USCIS's poverty guidelines, but there is no set minimum for India.

18.  You do not have to wait for Immigration approval to send your dossier to India.- India does not require a family to have Immigration approval before their dossier is sent to India.  We can send your completed dossier to India and your adoption will be moving through the steps, while you file with USCIS.  You do need to have approval before you travel to bring your child home.

19.  There both boys and girls available, although we have more girls right now.-  At the moment we have more girls available than boys, but families can adopt either boys or girls.

20.  India does not have BMI restrictions.- India does require that adoptive parents be healthy, but does not have a BMI restriction.

21.  We have happy reference families.- IFS has helped many families adopt through India.  If you would like to talk to past adoptive families, please don't hesitate to ask.

22.  The medical reports on the children are more thorough than some other countries.-  Most of the reports on the children are about 7 pages long and include social, psychological and medical evaluations.

23.  You are able to see a copy of the child's medical before officially accepting them.-  Families will see the medical before officially accepting the child.

24.  Families can pass on a referral and see the next available child.- When a family is contracted for our India program, they will be shown available children in the order of contract date.  If a family passes on a child, they will not lose their place on the list, and be shown the next available child.

25.  Children are referred rather than matched.- Families have complete say on whether they choose to accept a referral or wait for the next available child.

26.  Single women may also adopt.- India allows single women to adopt up to age 45.  Exceptions are sometimes made up to age 54 for older or special needs children.  This is decided on a case by case basis.

27.  Devoted coordinators in India who will help you through the process when you travel.- IFS works with fantastic coordinators in India, who will be there to help you though the steps when you travel to bring your child home.

28.  Families can adopt up to the age of 45.  (one parent can be up to 50 if the other is under 45)- Exceptions are possible for older or special needs children.  This is decided on a case by case basis.

29.  The Program Director has several years of adoption experience.-  IFS has a very experienced and knowledgeable staff that is here to help.

30.  The India program is housed in an office that has assisted with over 90 adoptions from India.- Every adoption is different, but with this much experience, there is not much we haven't seen.

* This list was supplied by International Family Services Adoption Agency....

www.ifservices.org