Frequently Asked Questions
Are we eligible to adopt intercountry?
ICANZ can assist you through our programmes if:
1. You are New Zealand residents, and
2. You receive a positive, supportive homestudy from the Department of Child Youth and Family (CYF) and
3. You understand the effects of institutionalisation on children and are prepared to accept and work with a needy child of an appropriate age.
4. You meet the requirements of the country you wish to adopt from.
NOTE - Each adoption is viewed individually. Adoption requirements are sometimes flexible if you are applying for older children, sibling groups of three or more children from one family, those with medical needs, or if you have cultural heritage that matches the child's culture. Other conditions may apply in your particular case, so we strongly recommend you talk to us before progressing too far.
What is the first step?
The first step is to undertake adoption education courses and be approved as an adoptive family. Contact your local Dept of CYF Adoptions Service for this.
What other adoption options are there for NZ families?
1. The NZ Dept of CYF runs adoption programmes from some countries. For up to date details contact your local CYF Adoptions Unit. Phone numbers are in the government section (blue pages) of the phone book.
2. The NZ Dept of CYF Adoptions Unit can tell you about local adoptions, and the Permanent Placement Unit can tell you about parenting through Permanent Placement and Fostering.
3. Barnardos and the Open Home Foundation can tell you about parenting through fostering.
4. OPAN (Open Adoption Network) can tell you about openness in local adoptions and support you during a local adoption. Their address is PO Box 13385, Onehunga, Auckland.
Why does it cost money to adopt when so many children need homes?
Adoption involves a complex legal process with court hearing, in another language, another culture, another legal system, on the other side of the world. "Adoption comes from the heart, but the process must follow the law".
There is no government funding to help you in NZ or the child's country of origin.
ICANZ is a not-for-profit organization that must charge fees on a cost-recovery basis.
Many people are involved in each adoption. In New Zealand we employ qualified trained professionals whose sole job is to assist you. They are not volunteers trying to squeeze this work in between other jobs. Our team often travel to the overseas countries to meet with government officials, work with associates and monitor the process.
Your adoption will involve engaging experienced personnel in your child’s region. When parents travel to pick up their child, facilitators, guides and translators meet them at the airport, settle them into hotels, transport them to their pre-arranged meetings and help them as they meet their child for the first time. These overseas service providers guide parents through the legal process and additional people help them obtain the paperwork necessary for their child’s adoption, visa, NZ Citizenship and passport.
Although the ICANZ team and the associated personnel in the child's country of origin view their work as a mission, they must earn a living to provide for their families. Each employee needs a salary, an office, a computer, a phone, office supplies and ongoing training. Along with capital expenditures for equipment, furniture and maintenance, insurance, etc.
All of this and more requires money to pay expenses. So, as you can see, there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes! We welcome your calls and questions so we can help you understand the process and costs involved.
I have adopted a child. How do I meet other adoptive families?
Email ICANZ for contact details of the local ICANZ parent network coordinator. She will be able to introduce you to local families with adopted children for friendship, support and information sharing.
Contact OPAN at the above address.
Contact your local CYF office.
Do we need to apply for New Zealand Citizenship by Grant for our adopted child?
If your child was not adopted through the New Zealand courts, he or she will probably have gained Citizenship by Descent. Citizens by Descent have all the rights of New Zealand citizenship, except that they cannot pass on their citizenship to any children born to them (or adopted) overseas. We recommend that you apply on their behalf for Citizenship by Grant after they have been living in New Zealand for at least three years.
You can download the forms you need at the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website. Internal Affairs have advised ICANZ that you do not need to resubmit your childrens' adoption documents as these have already been sighted and recorded by them.
We recommend that you indicate on the form or in a letter that it is a descent to grant application and send the completed application by courier to:
Attn David Brooker. Citizenship Office, Department of Internal Affairs, Level 1, A.C. Neilson Building, 120 Victoria Street, Wellington 6011.
Their phone number is 04 474 8162
Adoption is not for me, but how can I help children in orphanages?
See How You Can Help.