Adopting, or rather in Pakistan, taking guardianship of a child is a life-changing journey, filled with hope, anticipation, and sometimes, a few challenges. For families considering adoption (guardianship) from Pakistan, understanding the specific steps and legal requirements is essential. With the right guidance, what may seem complex can be rewarding experience. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the adoption (guardianship) process in Pakistan, helping prospective adoptive parents navigate each stage with confidence and peace of mind.
Research and Preparation
Before starting the child adoption (guardianship) process, we believe it’s important for prospective adoptive parents to do thorough research. In Pakistan, the adoption process operates under a guardianship system rather than a traditional adoption framework. Understanding the cultural, legal, and logistical aspects of adopting (ordered guardianship) from Pakistan is essential. At Hopscotch Adoptions, we recommend beginning by reviewing the guidelines from the U.S. Department of State and working closely with us to make certain you meet all the necessary requirements.
Choose an Accredited Adoption Agency
Choosing the right adoption agency is an important decision. At Hopscotch Adoptions, a Hague Accredited agency with a dedicated program for Pakistan, we offer the guidance and support you need to navigate the adoption process as smoothly as possible. Our experienced team will help you understand Pakistan’s guardianship system, assist with paperwork, and make certain that all legal steps are properly followed through supervision and verification of the prospective adoptive parent’s self-initiated process, necessary for success in Pakistan. We’re here to make your adoption (guardianship) journey as seamless and stress-free as possible, given that any adoption or guardianship process can be fraught with changes which are not within the control of an adoption service provider.
Submit Your Application and Complete a Home Study
Once you’ve chosen Hopscotch Adoptions as your agency (Primary Provider), the next step as an prospective adoptive parent is to submit your application. Upon approval of the application, the prospective adoptive parent is invited to make contract to begin the required adoption (guardianship) services mandated by the Department of State. After you have secured the Primary Provider agency, your next step will require completing a home study, where an adoption service provider, licensed in your state of residence will assess your suitability and readiness to adopt (obtain guardianship) of an orphan through the USCIS intercountry adoption process. The home study includes background checks, medical evaluations, psychological assessments, education specific to the adoption or guardianship of the country program, references, financial records, interviews, home visits, and more; all designed to confirm that you’re prepared to provide a safe and loving environment for your future child. This comprehensive evaluation, is ongoing until the adoption is finalized in your state of residence and is an essential part of making sure that you are fully ready to welcome a new member into your family.
Collaborate with Pakistani Authorities
After your home study is completed and all documents are gathered to create a country specific dossier, the prospective adoptive parent will send the original dossier to Hopscotch for review, and if all is in order, we will submit your dossier to our Foreign Service Provider. Hopscotch’s Foreign Supervised Provider is responsible for verification of documents to be submitted to the appropriate authorities in Pakistan upon receipt of a child referral. Families are required to be “self-starters”; meaning each prospective adoptive family must personally visit and present themselves to any state operated orphanage. The personal introduction may require the prospective adoptive family to provide a complete photocopy of your dossier in order to formally make application with any state operated orphanage director. Upon the offer of a referral, Hopscotch’s Foreign Supervised Provider will ensure that the original dossier is submitted to the appropriate corresponding court. The family court, located where the child legally resides, will review your application, dossier and home study report. If everything is in order, they will issue a guardianship order, granting you physical custody of the child, for the purposes of traveling to the US and finalizing the child’s adoption in your state of residence. This process may take several months, so patience and flexibility is imperative.
During your stay, you may also have meetings with local social workers and the court, recognized as the competent authority in Pakistan. When abroad in Pakistani adoptive parents, this trip is not just about finalizing paperwork; it’s a crucial moment to bond with your child and experience the culture they come from, while your case is processing. During this time, we will be in close communication with you to keep you updated on the progress and next steps, including the provision of Child Specific Counseling, required by USCIS prior to taking physical custody of the child.
Obtain a U.S. Visa for Your Child
After gaining guardianship, a new birth certificate, NICOP card and Pakistani passport, the next step for a prospective adoptive parent is to secure a U.S. visa for your child. Each document will be scanned to our Foreign Supervised Provider and the Hopscotch office for the purpose of verification. A family is prohibited from making a visa application until the verification has been substantiated. If all is in order, Hopscotch will assist you in completing the necessary USCIS forms, (I-600, I-864, Supplement 2, and DS-260) . These specific forms and the documents you received for your child’s guardianship, will be combined and submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan through a designated courier service. Next you will wait to be summoned by the Embassy for the visa interview. The wait for the visa interview appointment can be a few days to a few weeks before you will be contacted by the US embassy. Both parents and the child must be present at the embassy visa interview. Once you receive an invitation to the visa interview, the visa officer will review your case to make certain all USCIS legal criteria are met. Once approved, you’ll be contacted and requested to return to the embassy to physically pick up your child’s Pakistani passport with a US Visa, The type of visa your child will be issued, either an IR-4 or IR-3 visa, depending on whether both parents traveled to Pakistan to meet the child prior to the guardianship order issue date. Receipt of the visa is the final step in bringing your child home to the United States.
Finalize the Adoption in the U.S.
Once you’re back in the United States, With the guardianship order in hand, you will travel to your state of residence with your child under guardianship and finalize the process through your county’s family court. Finalizing your child’s adoption grants a full and final adoption decree recognized by the state and federal government. Once finalized, your child is eligible for US Citizenship, Social Security and a US passport.
The process that leads to your child’s eligibility to finalize the adoption typically involves having spent a minimum of 6 months in your state of residence with your child, your adoption service provider completing a minimum of 2 or more post placement reports, and attending a court hearing.
Your adoption service provider’s home study worker, located in your state of residence is most familiar with what your state will require to finalize the adoption. They will help you through this step, or refer you to an attorney if your state requires this. Finalizing the adoption is a significant milestone that legally completes your journey as a new family.
Post International Adoption Support
An international adoption doesn’t end when you bring your child home. At Hopscotch Adoptions, we offer ongoing support to help you and your child adjust to your new life together. This includes counseling, support groups, and educational resources tailored to your family’s needs. Our commitment is to be there for you as your family grows and navigates the beautiful journey of adoption.
Embracing Your New Family Journey with Hopscotch Adoptions
Adopting a child from Pakistan is a journey filled with rewards and challenges, requiring careful planning, endurance, and commitment. By understanding each step and working closely with Hopscotch Adoptions, you can navigate the process confidently and bring your child home with joy. Every step you take brings you closer to creating a loving, permanent family. We are honored to be part of your overseas adoption journey and are here to support you every step of the way. For more detailed information, please visit our Pakistan adoption page on the Hopscotch Adoptions website.
