Countries that permit parents over 50 to adopt?

Bulgaria allows 45 years between the parents' age and the child's age. However sometimes they are not following that rule either. I have heard of a woman over 50 being referred a 2 year old. If you are open to a child with special needs that might be the easiest way to go.

I would say you need to keep calling agencies - the Russian program people might be a bit touchy right now because Putin and other high government leaders have been making noise about shutting down international adoption. I would still say that Russia is your big bet, all the other countries are tiny and have very few children available for international adoption. Yes, the agencies make their age rules up. That is true about a lot of requirements - agencies set rules, but you probably need to call around until you find one that will work with you.

Many countries will waive certain of their requirements, such as maximum age or number of children, if a family is willing to adopt a school age child and/or a child with significant special needs. Some agencies will advocate for the family if the prospective parents are well-qualified in other ways, so that the country is more likely to make a favorable determination. And if a country is willing, some agencies will assist by reducing their fees in order to bring the school aged child or child with special needs home. My first suggestion is that you continue calling some of the agencies that have been working in Eastern Europe and that have a good reputation. Some of the best agencies have longstanding relationships with countries and regions, and if it is at all possible, they can help you get a waiver if you are well qualified in other respects. My second suggestion is to go to photolistings of waiting children. I do not recommend them for people wanting healthy babies, because good agencies do not need to photolist infant and toddlers, especially girls, with no or minimal special needs; in fact, they have long waiting lists. However, reputable agencies often use them to introduce to families the notion of adopting older children and children with special needs, who are hard to place. Read the profiles and look at the pictures. If you see some children in the right age range, who interest you, in any Eastern European country, do some research on the agencies representing them, including checking with been-there/done-that families on these boards, to make sure that the agencies are reputable, advocate well for their clients, and so on. Then contact the agencies representing the children and ask whether your age will be a barrier to adopting the specific kids who interest you. Indicate that you are otherwise well-qualified, if this is true. If you have an already approved homestudy to show them, great. If you are unlikely to qualify for those children, they will tell you, but a few might indicate that you should take a look at some other countries, or that they might have other children for you to consider. If you really want to adopt internationally, you can make it happen. Just be sure that you are not fooling yourself about your strength and resources, given your age. I say that lovingly, as I adopted my wonderful daughter when she was 18 months old and I was "only" 51. She's 16 now, and I'm 66. We're still having fun, but I've had some health and financial crises that we've had to weather, and my daughter was diagnosed with clinical depression last year, though it's under control at this point. We also are lucky to have terrific relatives who are willing to serve as guardians for my daughter, and whom she likes, although she recently said that if I died before she turned 18, she might ask to be an emancipated minor. She is a very capable young lady, and probably could live on her own, though I don't think it would be in her best interests. Sharon

I would imagine there would be a lot you can do!!! I am in a support group where the oldest parent is 54, and is in process of adopting from a 9 year old. Bulgaria and Hungary seem to have the same rules, checkign our agencies' website just now. heather

Consider the country of Latvia. You can adopt single children ages 9 and up. For younger children you must adopt a sibling group or special needs. Over 50 no problem as long as you are healthy. Best of Luck!

Denise63, Ukraine has waived their requirement relating to maximum age difference between adoptive family and children they want to adopt. It used to be 45 years. Now there is no upper age limit in Ukraine. Indeed Ukraine ceased being a good country for adoption of healthy kids under 5 years old which is impossible there now Also it ceased being a very good country for adoption of single kids under 7 years old, but it is still quite possible to succeed with such criteria in Ukraine. I am a mother to four adopted kids. We adopted twice from Ukraine: in 2009 and 2011. And I can say that Ukraine is a pretty good country for those who have flexible adoption criteria. So if you are open to adoption of a sibling group from 0 to 10, I would say that you have a good chance to succeed in Ukraine. Both times we applied for adoption of up to three kids from 3 to 12 years old in good health or with minor chronic / surgically correctable conditions. And both times we needed just one interview with the SDA (name of central Ukrainian adoption authority) to find such children. That is why I can recommend Ukraine. Now I am helping my relative and our neighbors (who recently decided to adopt) adopt from Ukraine. Our facilitator says that the SDA is not too busy with families at present as it used to be several years ago and that now there is a better choice of kids in Ukraine. Cathy.

I agree with Cathy. Ukraine is a good choice if you are flexible with age and sex.As of October 4, 2011, the adoption authority eliminated the upper age limit for adoptive parents. They have removed the 45 years or less age difference restriction. Going forward, parents of any older age can adopt. This is great for older parents, such as yourselves, as many international adoption programs either do not accept older parents.The US Embassy phrased the change as follows:Age Requirements: Under a Ukrainian law which came into effect on October 4, 2011 prospective adoptive parents must be at least 21 years old, and at least 15 years older than the adopted child (the 45-year maximum age difference requirement has been eliminated). In case of adoption of an 18-year old child, the minimum age difference between the adopted child and the adopting parent must be at least 18 years. If only one of the adoptive parents complies with these age requirements, the adoption can be completed in the eligible parent's name only (classified as IR4 visa type). If the child is being adopted by a relative, the age difference is not considered.I don’t think you will have a problem finding a basically healthy child between 7-10 years old, especially if you would take a boy. Ukraine has many more boys available for adoption than girls because Ukrainians often adopt girls, and most parents adopting internationally also prefer girls. (We are thrilled that we have a wonderful boy!)This change was made at the same time the age of children made available for international adoption was raised to 5 years of age in October 2011. There are 2 important exceptions: 1. If you adopt siblings and one of the siblings is 5 or older, other siblings can be younger than 5, or 2. If you Adopt a Child with a special need according to a list published earlier this year. (You can contact me if you would like this list.)More of the families I am currently helping adopt in Ukraine are not young enough to have met the previous age requirement – now eliminated. Keep the faith! There are options!I hope this helps your particular situation. Best wishes. Susan