1. What countries does Holt have intercountry adoption programs in?

Holt works in many countries around the world to find permanent, loving families for children through adoption. See Country Criteria for details on each of Holt's overseas programs, including the requirements, travel information, and details on the age range of children available by country. Holt also has a domestic program for Oregon residents.

2. How long will it take to adopt a child?

From the time you submit your formal application until you are united with your child usually ranges from 12-36 months, and is dependent on the country you adopt from.

3. What are the costs?

Fees vary by country, however, most Holt adoptions range from $15,000 to $25,000 including the home study. This estimate includes most expenses except travel. Having your child escorted to you (Korea only) costs between $2,900 and $3,410. If you travel to bring your child home, we can estimate your travel costs at the time you apply.

4. Are there income requirements for applicants?

Holt complies with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) guidelines for income for international adoption, or our overseas requirements, whichever is greater. Currently, CIS requires a family's earned income be 125% of the poverty guidelines. Poverty guidelines vary per state, and per family size, ranging from $18,212 to $46,262 according to 2009 figures.

5. Does Holt offer any financial assistance?

Holt believes finances should not stop a child from having a loving family. See the Financial Assistance section of our website for resources to help offset the cost of adoption.

Holt has assistance available, on a case-by-case basis, for families adopting children with special needs. This fund is called the Special Needs Adoption Fund (SNAF). For more information about special needs adoption, please contact our Waiting Child Program.

Because Holt adoption fees are due at various stages of the adoption process, families usually have from seven to twenty-four months to gather their financial resources. The majority of the fees are due at the time a child is assigned to a family.

6. Can Holt work with families who don't live in Oregon or one of Holt's branch office states?

Absolutely. Holt’s website lists the home study agencies we cooperate with in your state. Holt can place children from every country we work with, except Korea, with eligible families in every state.

Regarding Korea, Holt can place healthy children with families in the following states: Arkansas, California, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon, South Dakota and Texas.

We can place Waiting Children with special needs from Korea with families (or children without known medical conditions to Korean-American parents) in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wyoming.

If you reside in another state, we can refer you to another adoption agency that works with Korea.

7. What if I already have a completed home study?

Please contact our Intake Coordinator for more information:
Phone: (541) 687-2202
Email: info@holtinternational.org

8. Can Holt help overseas residents adopt?

If at least one adoptive parent is a United States citizen and you are currently serving in the U.S. military, then we can work with you to place a child from most country programs. Please contact our Intake Department so we can discuss what issues you may encounter and how to negotiate this process.

9. What if I move to another state during the adoption process?

Contact us immediately when you decide to move. Where you are in your process will determine what you will need to do to meet state, U.S. CIS, and overseas requirements.

10. Is it possible to work with another agency for a domestic placement, but explore international adoption too?

Should you decide on international adoption through Holt, we require you work with us exclusively. This assures adoptive families and children of as smooth an adoption process as possible.

11. What if I get pregnant during the adoption process?

At least one year should separate the arrival of children into the family.  We believe it is very important to allow time to adjust after the addition of each child or children.  After this period of adjustment, a family may consider adoption once again.

• Pregnancy will result in the termination of your adoption process even if you have been assigned a child.

• Holt does not place unrelated children with one family at the same time.

12. I'm not sure which country I'd like to adopt from.

You don't have to choose a country in order to start the process. Holt staff and your social worker will be glad to assist you with this important decision. You are not required to make a final decision until your social worker is ready to write your home study.