Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers by prospective adoptive families.

What should I look for when choosing an adoption agency?
Only consider agencies that are professional, sound, and reliable. Ask other adoptive families to share their experiences with the agency they chose. Above all, make sure the agency you select abides by sound, ethical principles and practices.

How does the adoption process begin? picture of baby
The process begins by requesting information from Frost, who then sends an Informational Packet including general information, application, fees, process outline, references, and general documents required. Once the application is sent to Frost and approved, Frost sends the Acceptance Packet and you begin the paperwork. Our getting started section details the INS filing and other paperwork requirements.

Who can adopt?
Different countries have different requirements for prospective adoptive families. Frost has assisted couples, families and singles in adopting. Each country has different age requirements, but generally single women over 25 years old can adopt as can couples that have been married over one year. Infants are available to couples under 50 years old. Couples over 50 may adopt older children. The specific requirements of each program are detailed in the Frost Acceptance Packet.

How long does it take? Picture of baby
The entire process generally takes less than 12 months. The first three months are spent preparing paperwork for your dossier, including the home study and INS forms. The next three months are usually spent waiting for an assignment and/or referral information. The last 3 months are spent preparing to travel and making the trip to bring your child home.

What paperwork is involved?
The country in which you are adopting determines the required paperwork. Frost will detail your country’s required paperwork in the Acceptance Packet. Generally, it includes, but is not limited to marriage certificates, police clearance, employment verification, net worth statement, passport pages, etc.

How much does it cost? Picture of baby
The fees involved for international adoption vary according to the country in which you are adopting. Frost will include a fee schedule in your Informational Packet, but expect the total costs to range from $22,000 to $30,000. This includes travel and expenses, home study costs, INS fees, and generally all expenses associated with adopting.

How can we make it more affordable?
To help make adoption more affordable, check out our financial assistance section. There are various methods to accomplishing this.

Are we allowed to adopt more than one child at a time?
Families can adopt more than one child at a time, based on home study and INS approvals, although we generally do not recommend it. Adjusting to and getting to know your child takes some time and most families find that they are best suited to adopting one child at a time.

What is a home study?
A home study is written by an authorized agency and is submitted with your dossier to the country in which you will be adopting. It is also submitted to your state government (in some states) and to INS. The home study looks into your background, family life, and your feelings about adoption, adoption issues, and checks references. A social worker meets with you to discuss these things as well as to help determine the type of child that would be best for your family. The home study process typically involves 3-5 interviews and will take 8-12 weeks for completion.

Will Frost prepare our home study?
Frost prepares home studies in the state of Virginia. In any other state, any authorized agency versed in international adoption can write your home study. Frost will be happy to provide you with help in selecting your home study agency.

How long does it take to prepare a home study?
Home studies can be prepared in 8-12 weeks, depending on when families submit the required paperwork to the home study agency.

Are sibling groups available for adoption?
Sibling groups are often available for adoption because it is in the children’s best interest to keep them together, however, sibling groups tend to include older children three years and up.

What travel is involved?
Depending on the country, you may be traveling two times. The first time is to meet your child and commit to adopting him/her, then setting a court date. The second trip is to go to court to adopt, exit through the US Embassy with your child, and then come home. Some countries require one trip, although it is usually longer.

From what countries can we adopt through Frost?
Frost currently has international adoption programs in various regions of Russia, Ukraine, and in Kazakhstan.

What is a dossier?
A dossier is the paperwork required by the country in which you will be adopting. It includes personal and financial information.

Can we specify the age, sex and heath of the child we are wishing to adopt?
You can specify the age, sex and health of the child.

Can a single mom who works adopt a child?
Single moms over 25 years of age are allowed to adopt.

Is adoption allowed by parents who work outside the home?
Adoption is allowed for parents who both work outside the home. This is often the case for many families, adoptive or biological. Of course, initially, it is very important to spend as much time home with your child as possible.

Can we adopt even if we already have biological children?
Families with biological children are allowed to adopt children.

How are children selected for families?
Children are selected for families based on the requests of the family, the information provided by the family, and to best meet the needs of the child.

Will we receive information about the child before we travel to meet him/her?
The information received prior to travel varies from region to region. In some instances, you will receive the medical history prior to travel. In other cases, you will have access to this information when you are in the child’s birth country. Ask for any information that you believe is pertinent if you don’t have it. You will be given all the information available.

Do we have to live in certain states to use Frost?
You can live in any state to use Frost International Adoptions.

Why choose Frost to help us adopt?
Frost International Adoptions has placed well over 500 children with loving families since 1992. Frost’s size allows them to personally tend to each family and their needs throughout the adoption process. Using Frost also gives families the opportunity to benefit from the close, professional, well-established overseas relationships. These relationships are what allow Frost to continue to place children into loving, stable, welcoming homes.

You have been wonderful to work with, and we have highly recommended Frost to several others we have come
in contact with. Thanks, again.
-- Tom & Margaret