Adoption For Canadians

Canadian adoption laws vary from province to province and from territory to territory. No matter where in Canada, adoption laws inevitably require that a home study be conducted. This entails a minimum of three visits with a social worker arranged via the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Canadian law requires that at least one visit be in the home of the prospective adoptive parents. This can be a costly route. Adoption laws in Canada allow more affordable alternatives. For instance, Children's Aid Services (CAS) can be a huge help. CAS requires prospective adoptive parents to attend classes, which are free and last from eight to ten weeks.

Canadians hoping to adopt from the United States must learn the law in their specific province. Chances of adopting improve vastly if parents are willing to adopt an older, special-needs child or an infant of mixed race. In February 2005, the TV show Sixty Minutes aired a segment about a trend in British Columbia where Caucasian families are adopting African-American babies from the United States in record numbers.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) statistics show that of the roughly 4000 children adopted in Canada each year, 1800 to 2000 - about half - are from the U.S. Canadian adoption laws are somewhat simpler than those in the United States, although adopting a foreign child entails navigating both adoption and immigration laws. If one is serious about wanting to adopt in Canada, whether an infant or older child, one's best bet is to contact a reputable adoption agency.

Birthfamily Search in Canada

Quite often, Canadian adoption agencies also assist adoptees in finding their birth parents. There are several excellent websites that can assist the adoptee in their search, as well. A visit to http://www.familyhelper.net can connect adoptees with province-by-province support groups. As in the USA, Canadian adoption laws can be difficult.