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Adoption & Foster Care

International Adoption Journey Checklist

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34 items
From decision to bringing your child home. This free international adoption journey checklist gives you a 34-item head start so nothing important slips through the cracks. it's been shaped by real families using it in real moments — the kind you don't get a second chance to prepare for. Use it as-is, or open it in Checkbloom to customise every item, share it with anyone by link (no account required on their end), and tick things off together in real time from any phone. When you're offline, changes queue and sync the moment you're back. Every Checkbloom template is free to preview and free to download as a PDF. Create a list from this template and share it with anyone by link — they can check items off in real time with no account or app download required.
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What's on the list

  • Research countries open to adopters like you
  • Choose a Hague-accredited agency
  • Attend pre-adoption training
  • Complete home study to international standard
  • Gather all documents for the dossier
  • Get documents notarised and apostilled
  • Translate documents into the receiving country's language
  • Submit immigration paperwork
  • Complete child-specific medical reviews with a specialist
  • Plan and budget for total costs in writing
  • Plan for currency conversion and wire fees
  • Update wills and guardianship before travel
  • Get all required vaccinations for travel
  • Apply for or renew passports
  • Plan time off work for two trips if required
  • Book flights and accommodation flexibly
  • Prepare a travel medical kit
  • Pack culturally familiar food and comfort items
  • Learn key phrases in the child's first language
  • Bring small gifts for caregivers if appropriate
  • Attend court or placement appointments
  • Apply for child's visa and entry documents
  • Register the adoption in your home country
  • Apply for citizenship if needed
  • Update social security or national ID
  • Add child to health insurance immediately
  • Schedule a post-arrival pediatric check
  • Connect with a culturally matched community
  • Find a therapist familiar with adoption trauma
  • Begin lifebook with photos from the journey
  • Honour the birth country in your home
  • Allow a long, slow transition for everyone
  • Submit post-placement reports on time
  • Plan how you will speak about adoption from day one

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