Vietnam Adoption F. A. Q.
Last edited September 28, 2007Â
I thought I would throw together a small F. A. Q. (frequently asked questions) regarding adoption from Vietnam. If you have something to add or a question you’d like me to address, please let me know! I’ll be adding to it as time goes on, and updating it if laws change.
1) Who can adopt from Vietnam? Single men and women may adopt, and married heterosexual couples. Gay couples (married or not), and unmarried straight couples cannot adopt from Vietnam. Some adoption agencies add additional requirements on top of this, such as no single men, age limits, etc.
2) Does Vietnam have any particular financial requirements for adopting? No, Vietnam does not have any specific financial requirements. Vietnam relies on state and federal governments to ensure the prospective adopter(s) are financially able to raise the child.
3) Does Vietnam allow the prospective adopter(s) to choose the sex and age of the child they would like to adopt? Yes, Vietnam allows the selection of male or female, and allows the adopter(s) to specify an age range. Some agencies choose to impose restrictions on top of this, and some do not allow selection of sex.
4) Does the dossier need to contain the parent(s)’ birth certificate? No, the dossier should not include the adopter’s birth certificate.
5) How long will the trip to Vietnam be when adopting a child? Anywhere from 10 - 21 days, but 14 days seems to be about the average. Some agencies have also experienced delays that have made parents stay in the country for 4 - 6 weeks, so be sure to ask your agency about their track record with travel times and delays.
6) What agency should I work with? Choosing an agency is a very personal choice, and no one can tell you the agency that will best suit your needs. However, whatever you do, please use an agency on this list, which is the official list of LICENSED agencies that are allowed to work in Vietnam.