Contact our office
You can obtain an information packet by filling out our online request for information form, calling us at 478-477-0711 or email us at info@adoptionblessingsworldwide.com. We will be happy to answer all of your questions about our adoption programs.

Send in your Adoption Blessings Worldwide application
Send Application to our office so we can begin to process your application. Please send at least one color photo and your application fee of $250.00 with your application. All of the information requested on your application is strictly confidential and is used solely for the purpose of your adoption. Select this ABW APPLICATION link to download the application in Microsoft Word 2000 format, the file is "read only".

Obtain your INS forms
By calling the INS office toll free at 1-800-870-3676 for the forms or download the forms from the Internet. You will need to order the International Adoption Packet, it will include the forms I-600-A, I-864, and I-600. ABW can also provide you with the INS forms.

ABW reviews your application
Your Application is received and reviewed by Adoption Blessings Worldwide and your character references are checked. For approved families, ABW sends welcome letter, agency contract, INS forms (if applicable), Home Study Information Packet (if applicable), Passport forms (if applicable) & additional information on country/countries of choice to be reviewed.

Once accepted as a ABW client submit INS forms
Adoptive Parents forward completed INS/USCIS Form I-600A including a cashier’s check (personal checks are not accepted) in the amount of $545.00 plus $70.00 per person over 18 years of age residing with you for fingerprinting to INS. You must also include certified copies of your marriage license, birth certificates, and divorce decrees, if applicable. It is recommended that the documents be hand delivered to INS or sent via overnight mail. You will be contacted by your local INS with appointment date & time and place for you to be fingerprinted. See our ABW INS page for additional information on how to fill out the form. The normal processing time for INS clearance is 6 weeks to 3 months, depending on your state office.

Send Adoption Blessings Worldwide Agency fee
Send Agency fee along with signed contract to ABW. ABW assigns appropriate Program Coordinator based on your country chosen. You receive information from Program Coordinator regarding Dossier, INS, etc.

Schedule a home study with a local home study agency
Adoptive Parents have an international home study completed by a licensed social worker either through ABW (only available for Georgia residents) or one in your local area. We can assist you in locating a social worker near you, please contact our office for more information. The Home Study fee is separate from ABW application and agency fees and should be paid directly to the social worker when your home study application is completed.

Begin compiling the necessary documents
For your dossier and adoption. The documents for your dossier vary by the program you choose. We will help you in obtaining all the necessary documents and assist you with the authentication process. For more information on some of the forms you will need see our ABW Required Paperwork page.

Obtain a passport
Forms with instructions can be found at any US Post Office. Passports generally take 6-8 weeks to complete. Passport pictures can be taken at many Walgreens & Walmart stores. If you already have a passport make sure that it is not expiring with the next year and that it has your correct name listed on it.

Read materials about adoption
Read everything you can about your child's country, language, culture, travel, parenting and other relevant information to help prepare yourself for your child. Many adoption books can be found at your local library. If you would like to purchase books see our ABW Book Store for many popular adoption titles.

Work closely with your ABW Program Coordinator
Work with your Program Coordinator about your upcoming referral and trip. She will provide you with information designed specifically for your program country to help keep you organized and moving as quickly as possible.

Wait...Wait...Wait...Wait...
Do some shopping for your child...Decorate the nursery or child's room...Wait...Bite nails...And wait some more. When you get to the point that you get very angry with us, your agency, for our apparent incompetence and angry at yourselves for even considering this crazy adventure...HANG ON...YOU’RE ALMOST THERE...! The hardest part for you and ABW is waiting for your child referral, travel dates and paperwork finalization.

Receive & accept child referral! (*except Ukraine)
The moment you have been waiting for finally arrives and you get to see what your child will look like. The amount of child information that you receive greatly depends on your program country; you may or may not receive videos

Remit one-half International fee
Once the referral is accepted, one-half of the International fee is due (unless otherwise instructed by your Program Coordinator).

Receive your travel date
Adoptive Parents receive travel date. At this time, the balance of the international fee is due to ABW before you travel to child’s country or it is taken to the country by the Adoptive Parents and given directly to appropriate officials/persons; you will be directed by your Program Coordinator.

Obtain your travel visa & prepare to travel
Your Program Coordinator will direct you with the procedure, packing & gift tips and assist you with travel information. You may use the travel agent of your choice.

Travel to meet, adopt & bring home your child
Based on each country’s requirements, the adoption goes forward and the Adoptive Parents travel to child’s birth country and return home with child.

Re-Adoption in U.S.
Once child is home in the United States adoptive parents may need to re-adopt their child/children in the United States depending on the child's country and on the state the parents reside in. Even if re-adoption is not required you may want to re-adopt for the purpose of inheritance, birth certificate, & insurance. Once you re-adopt you will receive a birth certificate from Vital Statistics in English. Adoption Blessings Worldwide highly recommends re-adoption even if it is not required.

Schedule Post Placement Visits
Child/Children and Adoptive Parents are settled in at home, social workers visit and send ABW post placement reports and photos as required by country and state law. See our ABW Post Placement page for more information.

Donate to the Family Builders Fund which provides grants to help cover expenses involved in adoption benefiting both waiting children and adoptive families around the world. All donations are tax deductible.