How can I get more information on One World Adoption Services? First, please fill out the Information Request Form. You may also use the Online Chat feature in the lower right hand corner of your screen and chat with an adoption counselor. We are also available by email and phone 770.965.3744
I’m ready to start the adoption process. What is my first step? One World Adoption Services now processes all of our adoption applications online. If you wish to apply for adoption services, please use this form to register for a new account. Once you have submitted the form, you will receive an email on how to activate your account and login into complete the application process online. The application fee of $250 is required at the time you file your adoption application.
How much does adoption cost? Do you have a sliding scale? Do you accept credit cards? When are fees due? Our adoption fees vary based on the specific services we provide and the expenses that we have. Each adoption program has a schedule of fees which includes a detailed payment plan outlining each of the fees and when they are due. All fee information is clearly spelled out in the Adoption Services Agreement every family signs before they begin the adoption process. We strive to maintain reasonable and affordable fees.
Adoption can be expensive depending on several factors. Like most non-profit adoption agencies, we are privately funded by service fees to adoptive families. We receive no government funding and operate on fees we receive for services. Often there are many costs associated with an adoption in addition to our service fees. This includes items such as attorneys fees, birth parent expenses, medical care, child care, governmental fees, etc.
We have a sliding fee scale for our Domestic Adoption Program. We accept payment by personal check, credit card, and PayPal.
What kind of licenses / accreditations / associations does One World Adoption Services have? We are licensed by the State of Georgia and our license is in good standing. We also achieved Hague Accreditation by the Council on Accreditation initially in 2008 and became fully Hague Accredited in 2010. The Hague accreditation regulations set standards for accreditation and approval that are designed to ensure that U.S. accredited agencies perform their duties in accordance with the Hague Adoption Convention and the Intercountry Adoption Act (IAA). Only accredited U.S. adoption service providers are permitted to provide adoption services in intercountry adoption cases involving the United States and a Convention country. One World Adoption Services is a member of GALAA (Georgia Association of Licensed Adoption Agencies), the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the American Adoption Congress.
How long does it take to adopt a child? Your waiting time will vary depending on your openness to certain factors such as race, age, and gender. The majority of families who apply to adopt a child through One World Adoption Services are placed within 6-12 months of their homestudy approval for domestic adoptions and 9-18 months on average for an international adoption.
What criteria does One World Adoption Services have for adoptive families? We work with singles and couples in all fifty states. One World Adoption Services does not discriminate based on marital status, religion, age, or sexual orientation. However, there may be other requirements by the USCIS ( US Immigration), local, or foreign government that could affect eligibility. Issues such as income, age, previous marriages are evaluated on an individual basis.
Domestic Adoption
Who are the children you place? Most of the children are Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, or biracial newborns. Occasionally, we will have toddlers and older children for placement.
Can families living outside Georgia apply to adopt from your domestic program? Yes, we do accept applications from a limited number of non-Georgia residents. You can call to see if we are accepting out of state applications at this time.
How do you organize your waiting list? We have a waiting list of families approved for adoption. Once your homestudy is approved, we will help you prepare a profile book that will be shown to birth families who are considering adoption. In most cases, the birth family chooses to select the family.
When is the child placed with us? Most birth families want their babies to go home from the hospital with the adoptive family.
How long does a birth parent have to change their mind? This varies by state and can range from 0 days (relinquishment is irrevocable upon signing) to 30 days. If you are adopting in Georgia, there are two forms of relinquishment processes. One by direct signatures of both birth parents, the other by abandonment as declared by a court of the State. The legal risk period ranges from 10-30 days, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Do you offer open or closed adoptions? Most of our domestic placements are semi-open or open adoptions. The degree of openness, however, is mutually agreed upon between the birth and adoptive families. Openness can range from a telephone conversation with the birth family to regular meetings and/or contact with the birth family. Letters and pictures are usually exchanged after the adoption, and this can be arranged though the agency if both parties agree.
Can you help us with a designated adoption? Absolutely. Please call our office for details. We can help if both parties live in Georgia, or if only the birth or adoptive parent resides in this state. We offer superior service and reasonable fees.
International Adoption
What countries do you currently work with? We are accepting international adoption applications for Belize, Bulgaria, Brazil, DR Congo, Latvia, and Ukraine. In the past, we have also assisted families who were adopting from China, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Russia, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Marshall Islands, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia, Philippines, Thailand, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Laos, and Haiti.
I live in Georgia, but want to adopt a foreign born child from an out of state agency, can you help? Yes. We can provide the state required homestudy, assistance with filing your USCIS petition, required training, post placement, and legal services. We will provide you with itemized fees for the required services. Additionally, we are experienced with working cooperatively with a variety of agencies in numerous states.
What is a dossier, and why do we need one? The dossier is a fancy name for the paperwork the foreign government requires in order to approve a prospective family to adopt one of their children. The countries we work with have an established list of required documents, as well as an accepted form in which it must be presented (i.e. notarized, certified, authenticated). A dossier is essential to completing a foreign adoption.
Will I have to travel? Most countries require at least one adoptive parent to travel. Some allow one parent to travel, and very few will allow the child to be escorted by a third party (i.e. family member, friend, or representative of our agency) to the United States.
Will there be people to help me in the foreign country? Yes. You will be met at the airport by One World Adoption Services overseas staff and and they will escort you throughout your adoption process to all adoption related appointments, court, etc. Our overseas staff works hard to accommodate all of our travelling families.