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The Steps to a Nepal Adoption

The adoption process from Nepal can appear overwhelming initially. However, it is a step-by-step process that is not all that difficult to accomplish.

The Home Study

The first step in adopting from Nepal is to have a home study conducted by a KAS approved agency licensed in your state of residence. The home study agency you choose should be familiar with International adoptions. Kentucky Adoption Services, Inc. will contact the agency that you have chosen to give them the specifics on what the home study should include and the number of pages that are recommended. KAS can provide home studies for Kentucky and Missouri residents.

Immigration and Naturalization Paperwork

The second step, which can be done concurrently with your homestudy, is to file the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) paperwork, form I-600A.. This form is basically your application to Immigration to adopt a child, and in this case, specifically from Nepal.  After the I-600A has been sent to the USCIS office with jurisdiction over your location, you will receive an appointment to be fingerprinted.  Some USCIS offices allow families to hand carry their application and be fingerprinted the same day.  Your local service provider, the homestudy agency, should be able to tell you if this is the case in your state.  After USCIS receives your homestudy and your fingerprints have been filed, they typically render a decision within 60 - 90 days.  Provided you receive approval, called the 171-H, you are ready to submit your dossier.

The Process and Dossier

The Dossier for Nepal is a fairly straightforward compilation of various documents submitted to Nepal to represent your family and seek acceptance as an adoptive family for a Nepali child.  The Dossier only needs notarizations and KAS will complete document preparation after notarization.  KAS, Inc. will provide adopting families with exact direction about how to prepare their Dossier and an up-to-date Dossier document list when they have chosen to adopt from Nepal.  Don't be overwhelmed - we'll help you with this. Families should begin collecting these documents early in the home study process so that when the 171-H arrives they are ready to submit their documents.

Referral

We expect that a referral will be provided within 10-15 months after dossier submission to Nepal and we would anticipate a family traveling within 3-4 months after receiving a referral.  Referral information includes as much detail as we receive from the Nepal Center for Adoption Affairs, including a photograph with medical and social history. 

Travel 

Travel for at least one parent is required, although we encourage both parents to travel.  Length of stay in country is anticipated to be approximately 3 weeks.  Families will be provided with an experienced, bi-lingual guide to assist them on their journey of a lifetime!  Visa processing will occur at the US Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Post Placement Visits 

Nepal requires two post-adoption reports; the first visit and report should arrive to KAS within the first six months after placement and the second should arrive within the second six months following placement.  KAS requires a visit at one month after placement to ensure the family is adjusting well and to answer any questions a family may have post placement. Families are also responsible for annually sending unofficial reports and pictures directly to Nepal until the adopted child is 18 years of age.  This is an important commitment for families to consider before embarking on an adoption from Nepal, as these reports help assure the officials that the children they have allowed to be adopted internationally are thriving in loving and nurturing homes.