A number of documents are required for an International Adoption. The compilation of your required papers will be called your dossier. Your dossier will undergo an authentication process, then it will be presented to the government of your adopted child's country. Every country requires its own set of requirements, but most countries ask for the following:

• Birth Certificates. You can get the required Birth Certificates for you and your spouse (if applicable) from the state capital of your birth.
• Marriage Certificate. If applicable.
• Divorce Decree. If applicable, you can get it from the Bureau of Vital Statistics of your state.
• Financial Statement. You should come up with a one-page typed list of all your financial assets (include bank balances and whatever may apply). You and your spouse (if applicable) should have this notarized.
• Employer's Letter. Make sure the letter is notarized.
  • If employed, your employer must state your position in the company, how long you have been employed, and your salary.
  • If you are self-employed
    • WITH an accountant: Your accountant should do this for you on his stationary.
    • WITHOUT an accountant: Find someone who will do it for you based on your income tax return, or your W-2 form.
• Medical Letters. After your basic physical exam with your doctor, ask him to write a letter on his stationary stating your health status. It must bear his signature, and must be notarized. Your social worker will also require this.
• Police Reports. Ask a statement from the Police proving that you have no criminal records. You can ask for assistance from the social worker working on your Home Study. This must be notarized.
• Home Study. When you finish your Home Study program, the social worker who interviewed you will write a 5 to 8 pages notarized document. This will include basic information about you, and reasons why you are qualified as based on your interview.
• Approval Notice from the USCIS. You must apply with the USCIS in order to bring an adopted child from a foreign country into the United States. You can either call 1-800-870-3676, request 2 sets of form I-600A for each person, and inform them you need fingerprint cards with the forms or download the form from USCIS.

Reminder: Three (3) copies of the required documents are to be submitted to us, the USCIS, and the foreign government. Have the necessary documents authenticated by the State Department and the foreign Embassy.