Overview

What’s Involved in Adopting a Child From Ethiopia?

Only seven U.S. adoption agencies are approved by the Ethiopian government to complete international adoptions of Ethiopian children (this fact is confirmed by the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa). Before you use any adoption agency or adoption facilitator, please do your research! The U.S. adoption agencies approved by the Ethiopian government are:

Adoptions Advocates International
401 East Front Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-452-4777
Email: merrily@adoptionadvocates.org
http://www.adoptionadvocates.org

Americans for African Adoptions, Inc.
8910 Timberwood Dr.
Indianapolis, IN 46234-1952
Phone: 317-271-4567
Fax: 317-271-8739
Email: amfaa@aol.com
http://www.africanadoptions.org

Children's Home Society & Family Services
1605 Eustis Street
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 651-646-6393
Fax: 651-646-0436
Email: info@chsm.com
http://www.chsm.com

Christian World Adoption
111 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-722-6343
Fax: 843-722-1616
Email: hardingt@cwa.org
http://www.cwa.org

Dove Adoptions International, Inc.
180 North Main Street, Suite A
Banks, Oregon 97106
Phone: 503-324-9010
Fax: 503-324-9080
http://www.adoptions.net

Gladney Center for Adoption
6300 John Ryan Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76132
Toll free: 800-452-3639
Phone: 817-922-6088
Fax: 817-922-5955
Email: info@gladney.org
www.gladney.org

Wide Horizons for Children, Inc.
38 Edge Hill Road
Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: 781-894-5330
Fax: 781-899-2769
Email: info@whfc.org
http://www.whfc.org

U.S. citizens must work with the Ethiopian governmental central authority, the Children, Youth and Family Affairs Department (CYFAD) which is under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Americans who enter into private adoptions that bypass the CYFAD will not be able to take the child out of Ethiopia, and will not be able to obtain a U.S. immigrant visa.

To adopt a child from Ethiopia, you must complete a homestudy and prepare a dossier. Your adoption agency will submit everything to the Ethiopian government. The adoption committee of the Ethiopian CYFAD will review your file and determine whether or not you are eligible to adopt from Ethiopia. Once you are approved to adopt from Ethiopia, you will receive a child referral. After you accept referral of your child, your adoption agency will handle the rest of the paperwork and red tape in Ethiopia. The adoption agency will then arrange to have your child escorted to the U.S. and your waiting arms.

In a Nut Shell

Children Available: Healthy infants and children of all ages, including sibling groups, may be adopted from Ethiopia. Twins – and even triplets! – are somewhat common in Ethiopia! Special needs children are also available for adoption from Ethiopia.


Parent Requirements: Preferably married couples. Parents must be at least 25 years old.

Travel Requirements: Travel is not required.

Time Frame: From the time of your initial application until you bring your child home takes an average of eight to twelve months.

Number of Children Adopted by Americans in 2004: 289

Additional Information: The children available for adoption from Ethiopia live in orphanages.

Credits: The International Adoption Guidebook, © Mary M. Strickert