So how do you adopt a child from overseas ?
If you are interested in proceeding with an intercountry adoption, below is a step by step guide to the adoption process in NSW. It is also important to find out as much information as you can by contacting the NSW Department of Community Services and joining a parent support organisations such as ASIAC - avenues which provide a wealth of useful advice and help in your decision to adopt.

Step 1- Obtain Adoption Information Package
Visit the NSW Department of Community Services (DOCS) website at www.community.nsw.gov.au or telephone DOCS on (02) 8855 4900 to purchase the Adoption Information Package which costs $40.00.

Step 2 - Lodge Expression of Interest
Review the material sent by DOCS and lodge the Expression of Interest form.

Step 3 - Join ASIAC
Join ASIAC NSW and order an Information CD on the country/ies you are interested in adopting from. Make contact with the relevant Country Information Officer. Arrange to meet those who have already adopted and learn first hand of their experiences by attending ASIAC events and our Information Days. This is important in terms of deciding on the country from which you wish to adopt.

Step 4 - Attend Adoption Seminar
DOCS will acknowledge receipt of your Expression of Interest (EOI) and once your EOI has been screened, you will be invited to an Adoption Seminar for first time adopters (2 days) and an Older Child Adoption Seminar (1 day) if applicable (for children over the age of 24 months). Invitations to seminars can take up to 6 months.

Step 5 - Lodge Application to Adopt a Child
You will receive at the Seminar the Application to Adopt a Child package. This package is to be lodged with DOCS including relevant police clearances, medical reports, lodgement fees etc as required. For an idea of costs involved visit our How much will it cost? page.

Step 6 - Adoption Assessment
Within 3 months, DOCS will assign an adoption assessor to conduct an assessment of your suitability to adopt. This assessment takes an average of 3 to 6 months.

Step 7 - Approval to Adopt
DOCS will review the Assessment Report together with your application to make a decision regarding approval to adopt.

Step 8 - Prepare application to country of choice
Following written approval to adopt from DOCS, you will be required to prepare an application to the country from which you have decided to adopt.

Step 9 - Awaiting allocation
The application is sent to the relevant country and you await allocation of a child from the overseas authority. Waiting times vary from country program to country program and can be affected by a variety of factors eg. high number of applications, government policies in overseas countries etc.

Step 10 - Immigration forms and travel
Following allocation you are required to submit relevant immigration forms and any other paperwork as required by the country of adoption. You are then cleared to travel to pick up your child and finalise the adoption or guardianship arrangements. DOCS require that you notify them when you have returned with your child to Australia.

Step 11 - Post placement reports
On return to NSW, your child's placement is supervised by DOCS for a number of months and DOCS is required to provide post-placement reports back to the country of adoption.

Step 12 - Finalise adoption in NSW
Where the adoption order (from the country of origin) is not recognised in Australia, you are required to finalise the adoption in NSW. Approximately 6 to 12 months following the placement, adoptive parents are required to apply for a NSW Court Order, a NSW Birth certificate and a Certificate of evidence of Australian citizenship. If the overseas adoption order is recognised in Australia, adoptive parents should apply for citizenship for their child.

ASIAC can assist you with preparing the NSW Court Order.