Help a child with special needs
What’s ahead for Bethany around the world

Caring for children with special placement needs
All children deserve care, love, dedication, and a stable, permanent family.
Some common challenges children may face include:
- Malnutrition
- Physical disabilities
- Emotional abuse or trauma
Regardless of the challenges children face, we've seen the way children grow and thrive in a stable, loving home.
Explore the countries we serve
We connect adoptive families to children in need across the globe, helping navigate the intricacies of international adoption.
- Why should we choose Bethany?
- How will Bethany help us through the adoption process?
- How long does the international adoption process take?
- Where does Bethany provide international adoption services?
- What expenses are involved in an international adoption?
- When will the adoption be finalized?
- Will Bethany help our family adjust to the changes in our lives?
Why should we choose Bethany?
You'll be equipped to help your family thrive. You'll work with a team of experts who will provide you with training, resources, and support to navigate the joys and challenges of adoption. For over 35 years, we've guided families through the international adoption process, and our experience is one reason why we're one of the largest adoption agencies in the U.S.
How will Bethany help us through the adoption process?
Once you have met our staff at an orientation meeting and had the opportunity to ask your questions, Bethany’s staff will work with you through the home study process. Once approved, we will help you prepare a dossier (legal documents necessary to meet international adoption requirements), immigration pre-filing papers, and other paperwork. Bethany also provides high-quality training opportunities to ensure parents are prepared to care for a child.
How long does the international adoption process take?
The average adoption timeline varies by country. In some countries, the process can take as few as 12 months; in others, it can take several years. Your adoption specialist will discuss specific country processes with you.
Where does Bethany provide international adoption services?
Bethany has adoption programs in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Details about adoption programs in specific countries are available here.
What expenses are involved in an international adoption?
There are country fees and expenses related to travel, visas, etc. Adoptive parents are required to travel to the child’s country to complete the adoption. Your adoption specialist will provide detailed information about the fees associated with adopting from your chosen country.
When will the adoption be finalized?
The adoption may be finalized in the country from which you are adopting. Some countries also require you to complete the adoption in the state where you reside, after which you will receive your final order of adoption.
Will Bethany help our family adjust to the changes in our lives?
Bethany is committed to providing post-placement services for adoptive families. Following placement, a Bethany adoption specialist will follow up with your family and will send reports to the country from which you adopted. In addition, we provide post-placement support, guidance, education, and referrals to other resources, if needed, long after your adoption is finalized.
Meet amazing children and families
Meet amazing children and families
In our house, we talk about race
Every parent has deep fears about what could happen to their children. Parents of children of color have a whole other package of fears.
Family is not defined by bloodlines
Johnny's family didn’t talk specifically about adoption—not talking about it was the norm in those days.
No longer abandoned
Adult adoptee Ryan wrestles with the word “abandoned” on his birth certificate.
Resources you can rely on
You deserve information you can trust. Explore our collection of articles and blogs designed to help you and your family thrive.
The changing landscape of international adoption: Where we’ve been and where we’re going
Bethany spearheads efforts to change the emphasis from bringing children to the U.S. to instead finding adoptive homes for children in their home countries.
Tips for searching for birth family information in an international adoption
Discover how to search for birth family information in a way that respects and is sensitive to their desire for privacy.