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What's the first step?
 Opening your heart. This process will change your life and the life of a child forever and it is important to understand the gravity of this commitment. If you are sure that you can give the love and support needed, you begin the process by completing a home study, then file an I-600A application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and begin collecting documents for your adoption dossier.
Are there age restrictions?
 Single adoptive applicants must be between 35-55 years of age. There is no age requirement for marriage couples. Prior to the closure of adoptions in Nepal, the average age of the children placed was 8-12 months. We anticipate that with the reopening of adoptions in Nepal the first children placed will be of toddler age (18-24 months). We will be able to more accurately estimate the age of children once we begin to receive referrals from the Ministry.
How long does the paperwork process take?
Depending upon your motivation to complete the paperwork and the current efficiency of USCIS, anticipate that your dossier will be ready to send to Nepal 2-5 months following your initial application.
How long before we get a picture?
 The wait time between submitting your dossier to the Ministry in Nepal and receiving your referral is currently unknown. Wait times are estimated from past families experiences. Until we have families complete the adoption process under the new terms and conditions, we will not be able to predict wait times. We are estimating the wait time between referral and travel to be 3-4 months. Nepal is now a one trip process.
What will we know about the health of the child?
 You will receive a very cursory medical report with your referral. It will contain a blood test for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, as well as any specific information exclusive to that child. It is also possible that you will receive measurements or additional medical information on the child. In general, the children are in very good health and are very well cared for. During the reopening process the Ministry licensed 38 children's homes to participate in intercountry adoption. Families may receive a referral from any one of these 38 children's homes. The level of care may vary per home.
For a terrific research piece on the children living in children's homes in Nepal, please read this article.
When will we travel, and how is that coordinated?
 Nepal is now a one trip adoption process. Families will travel to Nepal approximately 3-4 months after receiving their referral. Families are required to stay in Nepal, completing the adoption process, for approximately 2 weeks. During this time, parents are required to visit the US Embassy, the city office, the orphanage, and the hospital to perform paperwork, confirm the child's health, see the child and his or her living environments, etc. A representative of Faith will be there to assist you at every step of the process. One or both parents are required to travel to Nepal. Faith International Adoptions makes all travel arrangements and provides excellent guides in Nepal.
How much will the adoption cost?
Interested families should call us with questions on costs.
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