Has anyone out there adopted a child within the past year or so?  International or domestic?  Can I buy you lunch?  I need to know what you know... ;-)

Our family is seriously exploring adoption, but I would love some first-hand experiences.  Thanks and aloha! 

 - J

I would also like to know the answer to this one. We are seriously looking into it, but I know that base legal is no help at all. UGH

We have just started to look in to it as well. There is an adoption company called Adopt Abroad. They advertise in our Sea Hawk paper sometimes. They also have a web site. They specialize in helping military families over seas adopt, or foster. They have representatives in Japan who can help. I have only been in touch, via email, twice with someone. It is a lot of work, time, and money, but there is a military reimbursement program thats helps you get back some, not all, of your adoption fees. Good luck!

We have also contacted them and are waiting for a phone call. We will be going to the states in October so we are going to visit their office.
It is a lot of work and money, but the reward in the end is well worth it.
Good Luck to you too.

Actually MCCSOkinawa has an International Adoption workshop and support groups. Its from the personal service center. So maybe the family center has something simalar to it up in Yokosuka. The numbers for more info are 645-9237 or645-2104. This is for Okinawa but they might know something about one in Yokosuka. I had a friend just finish her adpotion it took a really long time. I think she said the total cost was around $30,000.00.

Thank you for the info. We can use all the help we can get.

We adopted 7 years ago. My friend adopted 3 little girls from China (all at differnt times of course.) They used a agency in Washington called Faith International  http://www.faithadopt.org/  They are a very reputable organization. You can easily adopt from China, Korea and Vietnam(if you want a boy). However, I did hear through someone that it is getting harder to adopt Chinese children. I don't know if that is true or not. The process is lengthy ...mainly the waiting period., we had two home inspections. The agency talks to several people you know and in our case, it was more of a private adoption so they also talked to the child and school faculty. We didn't know the child and it was through the State of Ohio. I have another friend who also adopted via State and the little boy had been abandoned at age 2 on the steps of a church in the State of Washington(it made the news). The couple had already completed all the paperwork and the initial home investigation. So, they called the caseworker and asked to adopt the little boy. Within a few days they were told that the little boy would be able to complete all his test and physicals with in a couple days and they were able to adopt the little boy after they completed their second home investigation. My friend's child and our child were both considered healthy and became well adjusted. Just as if you were to adopt outside the US. However, if you are considering adopting in the US, many of the children do have some physical or mental handicaps. But a social worker will ask you many questions, if you are considering adopting that way. I really think it is harder to adopt via US than it is International. I don't know why but our process and my friend who adopted the little boy on the steps took longer than many of our friends who have adopted International. Maybe social services is short-handed....who knows. As for the tax, "The credit of $12,150 is per child, not per year, so even if you claim expenses paid out over more than one year for one adoption, the total credit amount remains $12,150." This really wasn't a concern for us!! Would I do it again??....yes, over and over. He is living on his own , going to college, he was a wrestler who did very well and studying Astro-physics in college!!  MOF, the idea has crossed our mind a couple of times.

I have been in contact with Adopt Abroad and am currently helping to set up a time for her to come and do a lecture on Yokosuka. As soon as I get this set up I will post all the information here.

Here is the information I have gotten about adoption seminars with times and bases:


JAPAN
Atsugi: 09/07/10, Time: 5-6:30 pm
Bldg 949 Room 216

Yokosuka: 09/08/10, Time: 5-6:30pm
Satsuki Tower Community Room

Okinawa: 09/11/10, Time: 11am-1:30pm
Kadena Air Base, Shilling Community Center

Hi! I was googling to find out more about overseas military adoption and I found your forum. I decided to join, thanks to your conversation here and am now in the process of gathering my Home Study documents for Adopt-Abroad. We are stationed on SHA/Zama and I was hoping to reach out to anyone of you. Any Advice? Did Adopt Abroad work for your family? Any and all information your willing to share would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks

hello!! Didn't adopt abroad but back in the US almost 8 years ago. He was a teenager. Wonderful son!! My husband and i have considered adopting another boy as we are already have three daughters. We would like to adopt in Japan but it is almost impossible. I know two people who have adopted in Japan and they were given whatever was available-no choices. Also, neither couple has children. It sounds almost as---the agency doesn't want to adopt Japanese children to foreigners and people with children.
However, http://www.faithadopt.org/FIA/Faith..._Home.html  is a company in Washington State and I have a friend who adopted all 3 of her daughters from them. Her daughters are all Chinese. They are beautiful and healthy.
It cost between $14,000 and $20,000 per child  for them to adopt. They also were required to undergo a home study just as we did. My husband and I did an open adoption in the US which is much less but as most people are aware----many American children have health issues. Some children have major health issues. We were very FORTUNATE.
It cost us approximately $9,000. I know the two people who live ion Japan and adopted their children , did not use adopt abroad, they were Japanese companies through a referral from a Japanese priest.