The process for adopting black and bi-racial children from the United States has changed dramatically since the US signed on to the Hague Convention in April 2008.  If you have been talking to others who have adopted from the States, find out if they adopted under the old system or the new process (some families who started the process before April 2008 were allowed to complete their adoption under the old rules).  If they adopted before the Hague, please realize that their experience will be very different from families who are adopting under the new process.  As of April 2009, we have families who have completed their adoption of a US born child and brought their baby home to Alberta using the new process.

All international applicants  require approval from Alberta Adoption Services before they are eligible to adopt.  Once your home assessment report has been approved by Adoption Services, you must compile a dossier.  You can do this on your own, or get CAS to assist you for a fee of $300.

You may not send a profile/dossier directly to an adoption agency in the States. Hague regulations states that all documents must go from the Central Authority of the receiving country (in Alberta, our Central Authority is Alberta Adoption Services) to the Central Authority of the sending country.  Send your dossier - with copies for the US Central authority, the US agency, and Adoption Services - to Adoption Services.  They will send it to the Central Authority of the States on your behalf.  Let them know which US agency you are working with so the dossier can be forwarded on to your US agency.

When considering this option, always ask the US agency that you are considering, whether they have the authority to place children out of the United States.  Families have had success working with: Adoption by Shepherd Care, Inc. Florida 954-981-2060 www.adoptionshepherdcare.com  and with Adoption attorney James Fletcher Thompson 864-573-5533 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will update this information with other US agencies as we determine which agencies are able to assist Albertan families.

The adoption must be finalized in the State where the placement takes place. We cannot finalize American adoptions in Canada. Ask about “consent periods”. In Louisiana, for example, the birth mother has 2 days to revoke her decision. After that, she cannot ask to have the child returned. In New York, on the other hand, she has 6 months. In some States, a Judge may allow a cost payment to a birth mother, to help her get re-established. This could include rent, medical expenses or school fees. In addition, costs quoted may not include legal fees and foster care (typically $150 a day), so ask for all the possible costs, to make sure that you have an accurate picture before committing to a child. Couples report total expenses of $25,000 to $30,000 Cdn for a black newborn and more for a bi-racial adoption. With Hague regulations one couple reported expenses of over $40,000 with travel and expenses. It is a good idea to be skeptical of published costs of $12,000. An average stay in the U.S. is one week. Some families chose to stay for several weeks to obtain a birth certificate and passport to find it easier to enter Canada. In most cases, you will need to return to the USA, to be present at the finalizing of the adoption, one year later.

The Hague Convention will affect time lines and the availability of infants. Under the Hague infants can only come to Canada if there is no adoptive family in the United States, in a designated amount of time.  Once home in Alberta, post placements reports are required, at a cost of $300 each from CAS. The number of post placement reports required depends on the State from which child was adopted.

To find out about others’ experiences with U.S. adoption, in Calgary, call Nicole Fluker at 403-257-7082 or in Edmonton, call Alice Hermann at 780-467-7857.

We suggest that you do a lot of research. Talk to families who have adopted black infants. Are you prepared to deal with the issues involved in a trans-racial adoption? The Afro-Canadian Adoption Network in Calgary provides opportunities for your child to grow up knowing other black children in white families. Esther Cross at 1-403-337-3471 or Filma Hewitt at 1-403-254-1790 (email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) can tell you about ACAN activities.

In Edmonton, attend the CAS international play group on the last Friday morning of the month - phone Kathy 780-438-3455 for times; in Grande Prairie, call Jodi Lojczyc at 780-766-2716; in Calgary, attend the CAS international playgroup - call the office. Come with your questions, as other participants would love to tell you their story.

Adopting a child of another race is a huge responsibility. It will be important to encourage them to feel good about who they are; to help them develop friendships with other children of similar heritage, to provide race appropriate toys and books. The close proximity of the United States makes it possible for you to return for holidays, visiting areas where your child will have the opportunity to connect with other people of African American heritage. It will be important to talk about racism, and differences as a child who has been prepared will not be “thrown” by it. It is important to be open to learning about hair and skin care. In the Black community, a child with well-lotioned skin and well-cared for hair is a loved child.

Suggested Reading

Adult books

• Inside Trans-Racial Adoption, by Gail Steinberg and Beth Hall (Perspectives Press)
• Talking with Young Children about Adoption, by Mary Watkins and Susan Fisher (Yale University Press)

Children’s Books

• The Skin I’m In, by Pat Thomas (Barrons) about race, colour, and racism
• Dealing with Racism, by Jen Green (Copper Beech Books)
• The Mulberry Bird, the Anne Brodzinsky (Perspectives Press) about adoption
• I’m Brown and My Sister Isn’t, by Robbie O’Shea (RKO Enterprises)
• Amazing Grace, by Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch (Frances Lincoln Limited) a young black girl finds she can become anything she wants, even though she is black. Beautiful illustrations.