The Adoption Process

1. Meet Your Adoption Specialist and Complete a New Client Packet

If this program is a good fit, you’ll submit the application documents and fee and be assigned an adoption specialist. Your adoption specialist will be your primary contact, providing support, answering questions, and offering additional information. You will also receive step-by-step instructions for the initial stages of the adoption process such as the home study, pre-adoption training, US immigration application, and dossier preparation.

2. Complete Training

For families adopting from the Dominican Republic, Gladney's pre-adoption training focuses on understanding the specific challenges faced by these children. It ensures parents are well-prepared to meet their new child's physical and emotional needs.

3. Complete a Home Study

It is essential to begin your home study as soon as possible. Depending on where you live, you may be required to use a Gladney home study partner. A current, valid home study is required to pursue a specific child. Your New Client Packet will include a packet of information to pass along to your social worker at your first home study visit.

4. Prepare Your Dossier

To be matched with a child, you must prepare a comprehensive dossier. Your adoption specialist and Gladney support staff will guide you through the dossier process. A dossier is a collection of essential documents for adoption. It could include an application letter, home study report, notarized references, certified birth and marriage certificates, medical reports, FBI fingerprints, USCIS approval, and various agreements and photos. These documents give adoption authorities a complete overview of your family.

5. Travel

Adoptive parents must travel to Dominican Republic to complete the legal adoption process. Cultural competence is highly valued in the Dominican Republic, and therefore families are required to stay in country for 4-6 months, sometimes longer. During this time, you will be bonding with your new child, and immersing yourselves in your child’s culture.