Procedure for Ethiopian Adoption

Someone on the UK Ethiopia adoption support group, just posted this fantastic list of the procedure we have to go through to adopt from Ethiopia.

• Homestudy
• Panel
• Dossier to DCSF (UK govt dept that oversees ICA)
• Dossier to Notary
• Dossier to Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Dossier to Ethiopian Embassy
• Dossier back to Notary
• Dossier back to DCSF
• Contact Orphange UK families deal with
• Dossier sent to MOWA (Ethiopian govt dept that oversees ICA)
• Referral sent from orphanage UK families deal with
• Referral checked and agreed by LA
• Court date set in Ethiopia (families need to be in Ethiopia for this date)
• Court issue Adoption Order
• Apply for Ethiopian Passport
• Apply for British Visa from British Embassy in Ethiopia
• Return to UK
• Inform LA within 14 days you have child in your custody and intend to apply to adopt child
• Post Placement Reports (via LA) at 3, 6 and 12 months (sent to MOWA via DCSF). Thereafter annual reports prepared by family and sent to MOWA
• Once had custody of child for 6 months can formally adopt under UK laws.
• Once adopted child is automatically a UK citizen and can obtain UK Passport.