3,110

International Child Placements

3,976

International Families Served

90%

Of Children in Orphanages Are Social Orphans

18 sec.

Another Child Becomes Orphaned

More Than 140 Million Vulnerable Children Need Help

There is a global crisis that is spreading at an alarming rate. It pays no attention to location or nationality. And it cannot be solved by humanitarian aid alone.

More than 140 million children have no one to call “family” and no place to call “safe.” They need a caring family, loving support, and the only cure that is eternal — a relationship with Christ.

We know adoption is one of the ways God places children into forever families, but it is not the only solution to the orphan crisis. Of the more than 140 million children, less than .5% will ever be adopted.

The need is great. We look forward to walking with you as you discern God’s call on your life to care for the vulnerable.

“We believe that adoption is a faith journey — one that you are called to by the Lord. We believe that whatever God calls you to, He will equip you for.”

— Herbie Newell,
President & Executive Director

“We knew there would never be a perfect time for our family to begin the process, but knew that if we were obedient to His calling He would provide all that we need.”

— Lifeline Family

“We aren’t a perfect family … but we were willing to open our home. We used the waiting times to ensure our family was as healthy as possible and prepared for the challenges that come with adopting a child internationally.”

— Lifeline Family

Where We Serve

Country: Macedonia

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 1-18 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Healthy to Significant

Lifeline has had an adoption program in Macedonia since January of 2015. North Macedonia allows families the opportunity to pursue children available for adoption between ages of 1 year and 15 years. We anticipate children who are older with minor to moderate and significant special needs to be made available for adoption. Matches are made through a computer generated system. The Macedonian Adoption Authority is the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

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Country: Peru

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 2-18 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: minor to significant

Many of Peru’s children live in poverty, which generates some of the country’s biggest issues, including children withdrawing from school to find work, the likelihood of malnourishment and the probability of being swept into life on the streets.

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Country: Kyrgyzstan

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 6 years and older
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Moderate to Significant

Lifeline has had an adoption program in Kyrgyzstan since May 2014 and has had a very strong and positive start in this adoption program. Kyrgyzstan allows families the opportunity to pursue adoption of children with significant medical and developmental special needs as well as children with more minor special needs. Lifeline’s Kyrgyzstan team has developed strong relationships with the Ministry of Social Development.

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Country: Haiti

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 3-16 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: minor to significant

Haiti is a special country inhabiting the western third of the island of Hispaniola, a short 2-hour flight from Miami. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living below the poverty line. The Haitian culture is a mix of African and European elements as displayed in their language, music, and religion. The Haitian people are warm and welcoming, with a deep love for family and community.

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Country: Colombia

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 0-18 Years Old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Minor to Significant

Lifeline has had an adoption program in Colombia since 2012. This is one of Lifeline’s largest and most stable programs in international adoption. We have a positive relationship with the central adoption authority (ICBF), which is in favor of international adoption. Colombia is an excellent program for families open to children 9+ years old, sibling groups, or children of all ages with medical needs. Children in Colombia are typically of Latino, Indigenous, European, or Afro-Colombian descent.

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Country: Dominican Republic

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 0 – 18 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Minor to Significant

The Dominican Republic has one of the largest economies in the Caribbean and Central American region, and it is known for its great biological diversity and great tourist attractions. Tourists come from all over to the world to partake in activities such as: scuba diving, snorkeling, golf, surfing, and deep sea fishing. Nevertheless, despite all the country has to offer, the DR still has various social issues that have resulted in many children needing forever families.

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Country: Romania

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 5-18 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes, occasionally

Lifeline has had an adoption program in Romania since 2013 and works very closely with the National Authority for the Protection of the Child’s Rights, which is the central authority of adoption in the country of Romania. Lifeline has a positive relationship with the National Authority. The most important qualification to adopt from Romania is that one parent must be a Romanian citizen, proven by passport and/or identity card.

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Country: Taiwan

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 1-14 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Minor to Significant

Taiwan is a small country with a population of only 23.46 million; however, it is not immune to the orphan crisis. Taiwan is not a member of the Hague Convention, which makes the process of adopting from Taiwan unique and, at times, uncertain. In fact, a Taiwan adoption process resembles that of a domestic adoption process. Birth families are often actively involved in the adoption process, which is uncommon in international adoption. However, the involvement of the birth families gives adoptive families a unique opportunity to minister to a birth family who lives oceans away.

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Country: China

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 2-14 years old
Sibling Groups: No
Needs: minor to significant

Lifeline has had an adoption program in China since 2000 and maintains a positive relationship with the CCCWA (China’s central authority on adoption), working with orphanages all over the country. China allows families the opportunity to pursue the adoption of children with minor to significant medical and developmental special needs. Overall, the Chinese authorities are in favor of U.S. citizens adopting Chinese children, and are very supportive and helpful during the adoption process. China is Lifeline’s largest international adoption program.

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Country: Brazil

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 2-18 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Minor to Significant

Brazil is a large, beautiful country in South America. It is incredibly diverse, both geography and ethnically. It is divided into many regions and is overseen by a federal government, just like in the United States. Brazil created a federal central authority, ACAF, to oversee adoptions on the federal and state level. We will be seeing this new policy play out more in the adoption process.

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Country: Poland

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 3 – 18 years old
Needs: minor to significant

Lifeline has had an adoption program in Poland since 2012 and maintains a positive relationship with the National Adoption Center, working with orphanages all over the country. Poland allows families the opportunity to pursue the adoption of children with minor to significant medical and developmental special needs. Overall, the Polish authorities are in favor of U.S. citizens adopting Polish children, and are very supportive and helpful during the adoption process. Poland is one of Lifeline’s most active adoption programs in Eurasia.

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Country: Costa Rica

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 2-18 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Minor to Significant

Lifeline has had an adoption program in Costa Rica since 2011. We are currently the only licensed U.S. adoption agency working in Costa Rica. We have a positive relationship with the central adoption authority (PANI), which is in favor of international adoption. Costa Rica is an excellent program for families open to children 7+ years old, sibling groups, or children of all ages with more significant medical needs. Children in Costa Rica are typically of Latino, Indigenous, or Afro-Costa Rican descent.

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Country: Ukraine

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 5-18 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes, common
Needs: Minor to Significant

Ukraine is a beautiful country with a distinct culture and abundant history in Eastern Europe. With a population of over 40 million people and its significant size, there are plenty of opportunities to serve this unique country. Lifeline has been supporting missional families through international adoption and our (un)adopted partnerships for decades.

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Country: Hong Kong

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 0-14 years old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Minor to Significant

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative State of the Republic of China. Hong Kong was a British colony for many years before returning to Chinese rule in 1997. Approximately 7 million people inhabit the densely populated region. Hong Kong is known to be a melting pot of numerous cultures including: Chinese, British, Vietnamese, Americans and various other ethnic groups. Due to it’s long-term association with Great Britain, Hong Kong is very westernized and enjoys a high level of autonomy and maintains a separate political and judicial system from that of China.

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Country: Hungary

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 4 years and older
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Minor to Moderate

Hungary allows families the opportunity to pursue adoption of children with minor medical and developmental special needs. Our on the ground team has more than 20 years of experience with adoption in Hungary. Hungary has a strong foster care system, so the majority of children are adopted out of foster homes.

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Country: Bulgaria

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 2 and older
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Moderate to Significant

Lifeline has had an adoption program in Bulgaria since 2010 and is partnered with multiple foundations in this country. Bulgaria allows families the opportunity to pursue adoption of children with significant medical and developmental special needs as well as children with more minor special needs. This country offers a well-defined, consistent adoption process. Children in Bulgaria are of Bulgarian, Turkish, and Roma descent.

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Country: India

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 12 Months – 16 Years Old
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: Moderate to Significant

There are at least 20 million orphaned and vulnerable children in India, the second-most populous country in the world. Located in South Asia, India’s population is about 82% Hindu, 14% Islamic, 2% Christian and 2% Sikh.

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Country: Honduras

Ages Eligible for Adoption: 2-18 years old
Accepting Applications: No
Sibling Groups: Yes
Needs: minor to significant

Honduras is a country with a population of more than eight million people. The warm Honduran culture prides itself on kindness and hospitality to others. Festivals, carnivals, and other special celebrations are an important part of Honduran culture, many of which are religious in nature.  Children with and without special needs are eligible for adoption within this beautiful country. At Lifeline, we are ready to assist you in your adoption journey.

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How to Get Started

Pray

We encourage families to set aside intentional time to pray through how God would lead your family.

Prayer Guide

Attend

Join us for an info meeting or webinar to gather information on the process and structures in place to support your family.

View Webinars

Connect

Once you feel affirmed in moving forward, connect with a specialist to get all of your questions answered.

Contact Us

Apply

This non-committal, 5-minute application helps us get to know you, your interests, and your desires as you search for the right agency.

Pre-Apply Today

Other Ways To Serve International Children
Other Ways To Serve International Children
Grow Your Family

If you sense God’s leading to grow your family through international adoption, we encourage you to pre-apply today or schedule a call with one of our adoption specialists.

Gift for a Family

As you discern God’s will for your family, consider making a contribution to the Hope Adoption Fund, a financial scholarship for families in the adoption process.

Global Orphan Care

We know adoption is not the only platform God uses to care for the vulnerable, that’s why we walk with local international churches as they minister to vulnerable children in their communities.

We Are Here to Help Before, During, and After Your Adoption

We’re committed to discipling, encouraging, and supporting couples through the adoption process. We educate, equip, and pray for you at every step. After your child is home, we continue the relationship as we offer post-adoption support and resources like Parent Coaching, Counseling, and Bridge Educational Services.

Hear from one of our families after they came home: “Working with Lifeline gave us hope when we were at the end of our rope. We didn’t know what we didn’t know and we didn’t understand that our daughter needed a different parenting approach. It’s not easy and it’s a process. We’re working hard and we’re glad God put us together and blessed us with Lifeline.”

If you’re interested in moving forward in international adoption, we invite you to complete a pre-application.

apply for adoption
Welcomed 179 families into the adoption process in 2020

Though the circumstances of the year impacted international travel, families still felt God calling them to grow their family by adoption. We continued to equip and empower them to move forward on this path.

Helped Parents Adopt 102 Children in 2020

Even in the middle of a pandemic, God made mountains move for more than 100 children who were able to come home to their forever families.

Developed 40+ partnerships in 18 Countries

We work with amazing in-country partners who understand their culture, and understand the best ways to see children be placed in forever families. These partnerships are long-term and make all the difference in the international adoption process.

apply for adoption

“We are committed to growing the Kingdom through growing families.”

— Herbie Newell,
President & Executive Director

How to Fund Your Adoption

One of the biggest hesitations families express as they approach adoption is the financial cost. Lifeline is here to support you as you take the next step in faith. About 80% of the families we serve receive financial assistance to aid the completion of their process through scholarships, grants, and loans. Download our free How to Fund Your Adoption eBook for helpful tips as you begin your adoption process.

see financial resources

Answers to International Adoption Questions

Answers to Your Questions About International Adoption

We understand you have questions about who we are and what we can do. Please browse through the questions we have below to find answers to the questions we get asked most frequently.

Some families start of their process with precise clarity on which country the Lord is leading them to. For others, the call to adopt is rooted in their understanding of the global need.

We encourage families to review the Quick Looks to see which programs they might be eligible for. Important factors to pay attention to include marriage length, age of parents, number of children in home, time of in-country travel and also the cost of the process. Another important factor would be the age and need level you feel like the Lord is calling you to.

Some of our programs are better suited for families pursuing sibling groups or older children, while others might be a good fit if the Lord is leading you to adopt a younger child.

There are so many factors to consider when determining which agency is best equipped to serve your family. Here are a few important points to evaluate:

  • Pick an agency that is Hague accredited.
  • This credential means that you are working with an agency that has been inspected, reviewed, approved and is monitored by agencies and groups that require legitimacy and ethical procedures.
  • Pick an agency that has a successful track record of completing adoptions.
  • The international adoption process is extremely complex and you do not want to be an agency’s “guinea pig” If an agency does not have a long, successful history of completing adoptions, and if they cannot offer you recent families for recommendation, consider crossing them off of your list.
  • Pick an agency that offers 24/7 support while you are in country.
  • What is the agency’s contingency plan for prospective adoptive parent support if a “worst case scenario” happens? By support we are talking about emotional, medical, mediation with the US Embassy, DOS, etc.
  • Pick an agency that lists all known fees and cost (not just the agency fees).
  • Does the agency know the average cost of adoption within the specific country you are pursuing? What are the court costs, facilitation cost, documentation costs, translation costs, etc.? Are the fees for USCIS, etc. included? Are the specific fees charged by the agency reasonable in regards to the specific country’s average?

We anticipate children coming home internationally will have some level of special need, even if it is only a developmental delay they sustained due to a lack of proper nutrition or loving care. The needs range from minor/correctible to more moderate and severe. Severity of needs depends on the country program and age of child that you are pursuing.

Following their adoption, one Lifeline family created a blog called No Hands But Ours. This is a wonderful resource that gives a realistic peek into the everyday lives of families who have children with medical needs. Additionally, we recommend families consult with International Adoption Clinics, pediatricians and other specialists when considering specific special needs.

We know making the decision to move forward can be the hardest step. We’d love to share the story of a Lifeline family as they stepped out in faith to pursue adoption of their daughter. We pray you find their story an encouragement as you consider where the Lord is leading your family.

Lifeline believes finances should not stand in the way of the call to adopt a child. But we understand that fees associated with adoption can feel overwhelming. One of the ways we work to support our families throughout the process is connecting you with organizations who provide grants, loans, and scholarships.

There are so many resources available- especially for families who are adopting an older child, a child with special needs, and sibling groups. I encourage you to explore the Fund Your Adoption page for more information. Many of these organizations require families to complete a home study before applying. This leads many families to focus on fundraising first.

For ideas on how to fundraise and other helpful information on the financial side of adoption, check out our recent webinar.

Welcome home!

Celebrate with families as they welcome their children home through international adoption!

LEARN MORE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

Roadmap to International Adoption Webinar

As your family considers international adoption, you probably have a lot of questions. Join us for this free, no commitment webinar as we guide you through what the process will look like. We’ll discuss the beginning steps of the application process, home study, travel, finances, and more details about the individual country programs.