Adoption Program
Ethiopia
Ethiopia Program currently awaiting licensing approval.
The Ethiopia Adoption Process
Upon receiving your completed application, HIC will begin to complete the necessary forms required by the Ethiopian government, compile your dossier, and send the packet to Ethiopia. The experienced HIC staff will lead you through the entire adoption process. Our staff in Ethiopia will notify us when they are finished processing your paperwork and will alert us when it is time for you to travel to Ethiopia to pick up your child.
Home Study
Your home study must be completed by an agency within your state of residence. HIC will complete the home study for residents of Hawaii. We accept home studies from non-profit, state licensed agencies for HIC clients who live outside Hawaii.
Once the home study has been completed, one original copy must be submitted to USCIS and one to HIC. Your home study should be submitted to HIC as soon as possible for you to receive HIC approval and for translation purposes. Your final home study report should be kept to 4-5 pages.
USCIS (INS) Pre-Filing
The first step in getting approval to immigrate a foreign born child is to submit a form I-600A ("Application for Advanced Processing of an Orphan Petition") to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Approval from USCIS typically takes 1-3 months. HIC can assist you with this process and provide you with forms and instructions.
Adoption Parent Training Classes
HIC offers a variety of pre-adoption training and support groups. Our Mentor Program connects you to a family who has already completed its HIC adoption. HIC follows the Hague mandated 10-hour training requirement, and encourages all families to complete online adoption preparation course work. Detailed information on live and online courses is available to HIC clients.
Traveling to Ethiopia
One or both parents travel to Ethiopia to complete the adoption and bring the child home. An HIC Program Coordinator will accompany parents throughout their stay in Addis Ababa and will assist them with lodging, transportation, official meetings, and document processing. Parents may expect to be in Ethiopia for 7-10 days.
Official U.S. government link for travel information to Ethiopia.
Post Placement / Post Adoption Support
Upon your return home, you will be required to use your home study agency or a licensed social worker to complete 3 post-placement reports. These reports are due at 3,6, and 12 months following placement, and then annually until the child reaches the age of 18. Reports must be forwarded to HIC.
Other post-placement resources available to families include the monthly HIC e-mail newsletter, access to a variety of local and national adoption resources as needed, and access to the HIC staff members who specialize in various aspects of the adoption process. The latter may be done in person or by phone or email.
Post Placement / Post Adoption Packet
Upon your arrival home with your newly adopted child, an HIC Post Placement Packet will be waiting for you. Our Post Placement Packet is designed to help you finalize issues such as ensuring your child's U.S. citizenship, applying for your child's Social Security card, and passport, and re-adopting your child in your state of residence, if necessary.
Other post placement resources available to families include the HIC e-mail newsletter, sent out monthly and access to the HIC staff members who specialize in various aspects of the adoption process in person or by phone or e-mail for consultation.
