Primary Provider Adoption FAQs

I Know the Child I Want to Adopt; Do I Need a Primary Provider?

Yes, a primary provider is needed for all international adoptions, including Relative, Identified Child, and Heritage adoptions. Under the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions and the Uniform Accreditation Act, there must be a Primary Provider in all cases to ensure that the adoption complies with specific standards. New Beginnings will consider assisting families wherever needed. Countries where we have acted as Primary Provider include Morocco, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Tunisia, Algeria, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Togo, Ghana, Jamaica, and Dominica. To learn more about the adoption process from a particular country, we recommend the State Department’s website.

What is the Primary Provider?

A Primary Provider is a Hague-authorized adoption agency. It will oversee the adoption services to ensure they are performed properly and ethically and in compliance with the laws of both the foreign country and the United States. The primary provider is also responsible for identifying the domestic and foreign persons, agencies, or institutions providing each adoption service. Even in Relative Adoptions or Identified Child adoptions where the client knows the child they seek to adopt, they will still need an agency to act as their Primary Provider.

When are Primary Provider Services Needed?

When seeking an adoption or kafala of an identified child, such as seeking to adopt a relative from abroad. A primary provider should be found before you begin the process. So many difficulties are solved by having an agency assess the situation and formulate a Service Plan to ensure that your adoptive child can immigrate to the United States. A primary provider is also needed when a family has completed the adoption or guardianship in a foreign country without a primary provider and is now being told that one is needed. Some families may be filing for the child’s immigration, only to be told by Immigration Services to find a primary provider. New Beginnings does Primary Provider Services for the Identified Child in both situations.

Where Can NB Be a Primary Provider?

New Beginnings will consider assisting wherever needed. Prospective families are invited to submit a free pre-application online so that we can begin to evaluate your situation. In cases where we might not be a good fit, we can try to find an agency that would be.

Do Heritage Adoptions Need a Primary Provider?

Many countries permit international adoption for only citizens of the country or provide a different process for their citizens. If Heritage adoption is permitted and there is no well-established process, New Beginnings will consider providing services in these situations. And we do offer Heritage adoption (or kafala) in our Moroccan and Jamaican programs.

What are the Steps?

In starting the process, the State Departments and New Beginnings recommend finding the primary provider first. If you would like New Beginnings to be your Primary Provider, fill out the free Pre-Application, and a staff member will contact you.

After finding your Primary Provider, that agency will direct the home study and apply for USCIS approval (I-600-A/I-800A forms). After you have I-600A or I-800A approval, the legal process in the foreign country can begin.

When the adoption or guardianship has already been done in the foreign country, the Primary Provider will review your documents to ensure they comply with U.S. and foreign country’s laws. Then will begin the home study and USCIS approval process.

After the necessary documentation is completed from the foreign country, the Primary Provider will assist the family in filing the I-600 or I-800 forms for the adopted child. Once approval is issued from USCIS, the Primary Provider will then assist the family in filing for a U.S. immigration visa at the U.S. consulate/embassy.

Once the child is home, the Primary Provider will ensure that the required post placement or post adoption supervision is completed so that the adoption can be finalized in the family’s local court. The Primary Provider is also responsible for ensuring that the supervision reports are sent in compliance with the foreign country’s guidelines.

Eligibility Requirements

• Nationality — One adopting parent must be a U.S. citizen. For most countries in which primary provider services are being sought, one parent would be a national from that country.
• Age — Minimum age is 25. There is no age limit. Our guideline is there should be no more than a 45-year age difference between the child and the youngest parent. In relative adoptions, individual circumstances are considered.
• Marital Status — If the country allows, single applicants are permitted. When permitted, it is often limited to single females. If married, our guidelines are to be married for at least two years or have evidence of an established relationship. The country’s requirements for the length of marriage may be longer.
• Income — 125% over the poverty guidelines and Financial stability. Link to I-864P, then click “For 48 Contiguous States…”
• Health — Good health without medical concerns.
• Family Composition — All adults and children in the home must be interviewed for the home study. Adults will be required to get clearances.
• Country Requirements — Must meet the requirements of the country adopting from.

Considering New Beginnings as Your Primary Provider

For many countries and types of adoptions, we can help. There are many unique situations and challenges. If you are considering primary provider services, fill out a pre-application, and we will schedule a time to speak.