Pakistan Adoption

If you are adopting an infant from Edhi, the whole process from the time you submit an application to when you can bring the baby home takes 10-15 months in most cases. This time is based largely on the agency from which you are adopting and their referral times. It typically takes 3-6 months for the in-country process, from the time you receive custody of the baby till you get the immigration paperwork completed and get the child’s visa.

I am in the US wanting to adopt a child from Pakistan, where do I start?

In order to adopt a child from overseas and bring him/her to the US, you need to satisfy BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services) requirements. At least one of the adoptive parents needs to be a US Citizen. You have to engage an adoption agency registered in your state to conduct a home study for you.

Once the home study report is finalized, you submit that along with supporting paperwork and form I-600A Advance Petition to Adopt and Orphan to BCIS. More information on this process can be obtained from the BCIS website. Once the I-600A application is received by BCIS, you receive an appointment for finger printing. It takes 1-3 months to get I-600A approval in most states.

Can the Application to Edhi be filed before we get an I-600A approved?

You can contact Edhi and other organizations and submit your application to them in parallel with the home study process. You don’t need to wait till I-600A approval to apply to Edhi. It is a good idea to have that process at least started though. Adoption is easier if your I-600A is already on file with BCIS or approved BEFORE you get custody of your child in Pakistan.

How would we move forward after doing the home study and I-600A form to actually get a baby?

You typically wait to get your I-600A approved before you can get a baby through Edhi. In some cases, they do place a child before you have your approval but may not release the baby for legal paperwork till the approval is on file with them. Once your application is on file with Edhi, it is a good idea for your local contact in Karachi to keep in touch with Edhi on a regular basis. Typically, after the initial face-to-face meeting, a phone call every other week is sufficient. When they have a baby available for you they will call your local representative to come and claim the child on your behalf.

How does Edhi determine the interest and commitment of an adoptive family?

Edhi gages your interest and commitment to the adoption by the diligence with which you and your local contact keep in touch with Edhi. They prefer to interview the adoptive parents face to face, but if you are overseas, they determine it by the commitment of your family/local contact in keeping in touch with them on your behalf. It is a good idea to have one or two people meet Mrs. Edhi in person on your behalf to get her satisfied about your case, and then follow up regularly and aggressively.

Once in Pakistan, do you choose a baby or does a baby somehow get assigned to you?

It is a combination of both, they call you when they have a baby that meets your requests, on the application they ask whether you want a boy or girl and the skin color you prefer. And they try to match babies with similar physical features as the parents, that is one of the reason they want your pictures. However, it is hard to tell on a baby who is a couple of days old. Once they call to let you know a baby is available for you, you have the choice to accept or reject the referral. The official Edhi stance is that the baby was left in a jhoola but they run many women’s shelters where pregnant girls stay & there is a maternity ward at the mithadar center where we get the babies for adoption, so for all you know you get a baby whose mom looks like you!

The State Dept. document stated that the I-600 could be filed in Islamabad. Is there a consulate in Karachi these days that can accept the application?

There is a consulate in Karachi but the I-600 applications are only accepted at the US Embassy in Islamabad.

Does Edhi typically place newborns? If so, is there an additional wait to get a newborn child? (I can't imagine they have enough newborns at any one time).

Edhi typically only places newborns for adoption, especially overseas. There is usually a 2-6 month wait for a newborn child from the time you submit your application to Edhi. They have a lot of applications from prospective adoptive parents and don’t always have babies available to meet their needs. Also, they only place one child with a family at a given time. You have to apply again after a couple of years if you want more than one child.

How much is the typical cost for the entire process, including expenses there and here (for families adopting and bringing children to US)?

The cost of a typical adoption in Pakistan is between $8-10k, which includes home study, I-600A application and finger-printing, round-trip airfare for 2 adults and baby’s one-way air-fare, attorney’s fees, court fees, both in Pakistan and here for the adoption in your state, passport fee, visa fee, travel to Islamabad for I-600 application and visa application, and any other expenses associated with the process.

10.

Are the babies in Pakistan healthy? If moms are living in poverty, do they have adequate nutrition and prenatal care?

Most babies placed for adoption are healthy and full-term, although some are low birth weight due to inadequate nutrition and pre-natal care. Once they get proper nutrition, they tend to catch up and lead normal healthy lives.

11.

Once we get a baby, what is the paper work that needs to be done in Pakistan?

After you get a baby through Ehdi, there is typically a three-month waiting period before Edhi issues you documents certifying that this is an abandoned baby and has been placed with you. Recently, Mrs. Edhi has been allowing oversees couples to have a shorter, approximately 2 month wait period for release of paperwork. This shorter wait time is a privilege that is secondary to Mrs. Edhi's personal satisfaction after the child's placement. You then need to get a birth certificate from the Mithadar office of registrar of births & deaths. The area councilor will approve your application. The lawyer you engage in Pakistan can help you with this process. You are then ready to apply for guardianship of the child in a civil family court in Pakistan. After you have a guardianship decree from the court you will have to obtain a “B” form, also called CRC (Child Registration Certificate), from the offices of NADRA and get a national ID card number issued for the baby. (It is just a number, they can get the card after they turn 18). Once you have the “B” form with the ID number you can apply and get a passport made for the child. You are then ready to proceed with the filling of I-600 in Islamabad. You will have to make two trips to the US embassy, once to file the I-600 and the second for the issuance of the visa when your application is approved.

12.

I am interested in adopting a child orphaned by the October 8, 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. Are these children available for adoption?

The Government of Pakistan imposed a temporary ban on the adoption of children orphaned by the earthquake. As of March 2006, the ban is still in place. However, this group has put together a petition requesting the Government of Pakistan to reconsider its decision and open up adoption of these orphans so they can be placed with carefully screened adoptive families. We plan to present this petition to the Government of Pakistan and hope that these children can ultimately find happy and stable homes and loving adoptive families as a result.

13.

Any other advice to help expedite the process in Pakistan?

In order to get the baby’s passport, at least one of the parents has to submit an application with his/her ID card. New computerized ID cards have been issued to all Pakistanis over the past 3-4 years. It is a good idea for you to have your CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) or NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) made through NADRA so you do not have any delays due to the processing of your NICOP. It takes 4-6 weeks to get the new card.

14.

When is the best time to let a child know they are adopted?

This is not an easy question to answer as every child and every situation is different. We believe it is important for the child to know who they are and where they came from right from the very beginning, in age appropriate ways, of course. I want my daughter to know that she was chosen as a loved and cherished child, before she finds out from others that she was abandoned by her birthparents and adopted by you through Edhi. There are a lot of resources on adoption, Here is alink to some books that discuss the subject. http://www.tapestrybooks.com/catalog/text/b_talk.shtml#talkchld

Do discuss among yourselves the way you are going to tell your child she was adopted from the Edhi Foundation or elsewhere. The main concern is to make sure she knows how much you wanted her and how she filled a void in your hearts no one else could. That is why you decided to name her what you did because of what her name means to you. Sometimes people assume there in an emotional distance between adopted children and their parents that isn't an issue among birth parents and their biological children. Our view on this is that heart not helix makes a family. You want to instill in your child that adoption and procreation are TWO routes that lead to the SAME place--a complete family. The variables are different, but EQUAL just as 2+2=4 and 3+1=4. You want your child to fully understand that she by no means holds an inferior status on the "how much we love you" scale because you didn't give birth to her. When the situation presents itself, plan to give a short and sweet answer to a "short and sweet" little girl/boy. "Allah makes mommies and daddies two ways. Some babies are born to them and some babies are adopted. Babies who are born grow under their mommies' hearts. Babies who are adopted grow in their mommies' hearts. Do you want to see how you grew in our hearts?

It is a good idea to keep a photo journal or scrapbook of your adoption journey to share with your child when you discuss this with her. Sit down together with her and show her the photo journal of each step of the way in her adoption. Take pictures of yourselves mailing the adoption papers to the Edhi Foundation, snapshots of meetings with social worker, and pictures of you talking to Mrs. Edhi on the phone, etc. Under each photo, have simple captions like,

We are telling Mrs. Edhi how much we love you", "We are getting our home ready for you" and so forth. It is always very important to maintain good communication with children, whether adopted or not. And communication is really the key in this situation as well. You want your child to have the confidence that you love her very much, before you broach this subject with her. She will probably not comprehend much of it till she is 4-5 years old, but it is important for that "story" to be consistent. It is important to let her know that she is your gift from God. We believe that nothing good ever came from a lie, so plan to be as honest as possible with her from the beginning but use age appropriate terms. You don’t your child to come to you with tears streaming down her face because she overheard a friend or relative saying something that should have come from her parents in a loving way. After all, we don't live on an island and many people are aware of her adoption. It would be silly to tell one lie after another her entire life. The way she joined your family is a blessed event to be celebrated, not hidden or apologized for. "He has given you everything you have asked Him for. If you tried to number Allah's blessings, you could never count them all.." (Ibrahim 34).

15.

How can I adopt a relative child from pakistan?

Under the American law you can adopt the child upto the age of 16 yrs. The particulars of child need to be included in the homestudy and it has to be mentioned that the present real mother or father is incapable of maintianing the child giving reasons.

16.

What is the process for adopting a child for persons residing in Pakistan?

The process for families in Pakistan consists of only getting the guardianship and birth certificate of the child after receiving the baby. Contact the local adoption agency and see what they say about the possibility of getting a child through them.

Edhi only place children for adoption through the Mithadar Karachi center, but there may be local Edhi offices which could be contacted to see if they can help in the process. Edhi typically has a 2-3 month waiting period after you submit your application till you get placed with a child, and they give you custody of the child right away. They call your local contact to pick up the baby, usually you don't have more than a couple of hours response time before they call the next family on the list, so it is important to have someone lined up who can take custody of the child till you can get there. Edhi releases the child for legal paperwork after a 2-3 month waiting period, and at that point you get a provisional birth certificate from them.

With this document in hand, you can apply for the baby's birth certificate in Saddar / Mithadar Union Council (the governing body for the Edhi office). Once you get the release from Edhi you will need to apply to the family court for guardianship of the baby, under the Guardians and Wards Act of 1890.

You will need to hire a lawyer to represent your case in family court. Once you have the legal guardianship order, you can apply for the baby's CRC with NADRA to get the child registered in NADRA database and also to get his/her passport if desired. The passport is a must for people residing outside Pakistan, since they need to get a visa to bring the child home with them, but not a necessity if you are living in Pakistan.

17.

How can i get guradianship decree from pakistan court while staying in US?

You can get the court decree directly while staying in USA. For this, you must have the home study with the name of the child and under whose foster care child is. Your home study must be approved by USCIS with child name written on it and power of attorney in the name of the person who will represent you and your spouse in the court of law.

18.

Is it important to have a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) to make our child's CRC/CNIC, as I think for overseas Pakistanis the requirement is just NICOP?

For overseas residents, only NICOP is required to make child's CRC. It may help to go to another NADRA office in the city as sometimes the clerks are confused about the matter.

19.

Can you guide me about the induced lactation? How long does it take, what medicines are involved?

You may want to speak with a lactation consultant. Information on the induced lactation is also provided at http://www.asklenore.info where the provide all the protocols for adoptive breastfeeding.

The accelerated protocol requires 20 mg of Motillium 4 times a day along with the birth control Yasmin (active pills only) for about six weeks. Then stop the Yasmin and start the pump. A Medela's Pump 'n Style (about $300) is recommended. You may want to use a sippy cup if the child is older.

The herbs Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle are also recommended to increase quantity.

20.

Do you need an appointment to file the I-600 in Islamabad or do you just show up?

You do not need an appointment to file I-600 in Islamabad, they accept applications Monday through Thursday, but it is a good idea to confirm requirements over the phone or email before showing up to appply, to make sure you have all your documents in order..

21.

How long does it take from the time you file the I-600 in Islamabad to the time that you are given a visa appointment?

The average time is 3-6 weeks, however, it can vary from a day to 9 weeks.

22.

Is this right that you need to file the I-600 BEFORE you can make an appointment with the doctor?

The sealed medical exam is a requirement for I600 when filed in Islamabad. Getting your child's medical exam done before applying for I600 will expedite your process. The doctors office in Islamabad is highly recommended as they already have all the necessary paperwork, all you would have to do is make the appointment and let them know its for an adoption case.

23.

Can you go home as soon as the child gets the visa or do you need to hang around Pakistan for something else?

You can go home right away after the child's visa is stamped in his/her passport.

24.

How does the Power of Attorney works for adoption in Pakistan?

Power of attorney is a legal tool that many adoptive parents utilize in the adoption process. Power of attorney basically grants one party the ability to act on the behalf of another party. This eases the process of getting all supporting documents made along with being able to gain guardianship.

Many couples find that only one spouse (the petitioner) is able to make the commitment of the lengthy in-country stay required to complete and adoption. The petitioner should get power-of-attorney from their spouse before embarking on their journey to Pakistan and have it notarized by any local notary. It may be prudent to also have the spouse print and pre-sign all forms that are available for download.

Another use for power of attorney is when neither adoptive parent is able to complete the complete in-country stay and wish to designate someone to act on his or her behalf. In this situation, it is important to get the power of attorney document notarized by a local Pakistan consulate or the embassy. Also important is to ascertain that your attorney in Pakistan has experience in handling such cases.

25.

I am still uncertain whether it is better to file the I600 locally vs. Islamabad?

When one applies locally it takes them a week to decide (varies from city to city). After which you will receive an 171H approval which signals applicant to contact the Immigrant Visa Section in Islamabad and make an appointment for an interview out there. Homeland Security forwards the notice to the National Visa Center in New Hampshire which records and relays the information to Islamabad. See Pakistan in country process for Islamabad application.

26.

Do we need to take original documents with us to Pakistan or only Notarized copies?

You need to take all original documents with you, as well as notarized copies. When you submit I-600 they keep all originals for review and return them when you get your baby's visa.

27.

Is ther an "expiration" date on Home Studies?

Your home study typically expires in 18-24 months. You
would need to get an update done if there is a change in status, like a new job, move to a different home, a change in family status (addition of a new baby), etc. You may want to talk to a social worker/adoption agency in your state to get specific details.

28.

Is a single women able to adopt from Pakistan?

There is nothing in the law that prohibits single women from adopting, if they can satisfy the requirements for the organization placing the babies. Incidentally, Hadiqa Kiyani, a famous pop singer in Pakistan, has recently adopted a little boy from Edhi. She is a single mom and a high profile one!

29.

How long does it normally take to get the court order of guardianship (or judges letter)?

This varies greatly based on your lawyer and their experience with adoption cases. It can vary from one day to several weeks. Before engaging a lawyer in Pakistan ask them how many adoption cases they have handled and their timeframes for guardianship orders.

30.

Our adoptive child will be non-mahram. How can we induced lactation to address this issue?

The mahram subject is a real and very important issue to many adoptive parents. The good news is that lactation can be induced. In fact, several of our members have successfully undergone adoptive breastfeeding. It is a good idea to talk with a lactation consultant who can guide you through the process. Some ideas from our members include pumping about 9-10 times a day for 30-60 minutes using a hospital-grade breast pump, taking the medications Yasmin and Motillium, along with natural milk-producing herbs such as Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle.

31.

What does Islam says about inheritance and an adoptive child?

32.

Can I adopt my niece/nephew/relative?

Yes. You can adopt a relative if one or both of the birth parents are deceased and the other parent willingly relinquishes parental rights through the Pakistani Family Court. It is best to consult an adoption lawyer in Pakistan. Several lawyers are listed on our website.

33.

Can I adopt an older child?

Yes. As long as the child is less than sixteen years of age.

34.

How can I help earthquake orphans?

The Pakistani government has banned the adoption of children orphaned by the 2005 earthquake. We are trying to change this so that these children, who have already lost so much, can be adopted into loving homes and families. If you would like to see this change please sign our petition.

35.

What if I do not have a local contact in Pakistan?

Unfortunately, Edhi Foundation does require a local contact. They rely on this contact to pick up the child once a baby becomes available. If a local contact cannot/does not pick up the baby, Edhi Foundation will call the next couple on the waiting list.

36.

Should I tell the child the truth about adoption?

Yes, absolutely. We, at Pakistan Adoption, feel that nothing good can ever come out of a lie. Imagine the devastation it would cause your family if your child found out that he or she was adopted from someone else. Secrets like this do get out and the level of trust between you and your child would be gone forever. Adoption is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a beautiful way to build a family. Celebrate it!

37.

We are not Muslim. Can we still adopt from Pakistan?

Yes. Christians can adopt in Pakistan as they are governed by Christian laws. Muslims, on the other hand, do not "adopt" a child but gain guardianship of the child according to Muslim law. However, it is important to note that most Pakistani orphanages will only allow a Christian couple to adopt a child born to a Christian mother. One option for couples would be to look into Christian orphanages/NGOs in Pakistan.

38.

I and/or my spouse converted to Islam. Can we still adopt from Pakistan?

Yes. In addition to all the regular paperwork, you will need a Certificate of Conversion to prove that the conversion took place, your Islamic marriage certificate (Nikka Namah), and a letter from a religious leader or imam vouching that you and your spouse are Muslims in good standing and that you intend to raise the child in the Islamic faith.

39.

Do I need a NICOP card for the adoption or will a CNIC or POC card suffice?

The NICOP card is required to get a passport for the child so that he/she can go home with you. We have talked to the Pakistani Embassy and NADRA on several occasions to determine if the POC card would be sufficient for this purpose, but have not received a clear answer. Since the U.S. now allows its citizens to hold dual nationalities, your best bet would be to apply for a NICOP to avoid any potential problems with the adoption process. If a NICOP card is not possible the second best choice would be to apply for a CNIC card.

40.

How can I get more involved with Pakistan Adoption?

Join our Pakistan Adoption Yahoo! Group. It is a safe and supportive community for people who have adopted from, or are interested in adopting from, Pakistan.

41.

What is the best time to call Mrs. Edhi?

The best time to call Mrs. Edhi is early morning, she is usually in the office 8-10 am.

42.

Everytime we call Edhi Foundation, someone named Almas answers the phone. Who is she and can she help us?

Almas is Mrs. Edhi's right hand. She keeps a record of how many times a family calls to gauge the level of interest in adoption. If you can't get a hold of Mrs. Edhi, Almas is the next best person to talk to regarding your adoption.

43.

Does the No Objection Authority Letter need to be translated into English?

Edhi Foundation should give you the letter in English. If they do not, you may request a translated copy in English.

44.

We live in a rented, one bedroom apartment. Will this affect our adoption?

Many families who do not own property have successfully adopted from Pakistan. Orphanages look for families that can provide a child with a loving, caring environment more than anything.

45.

How frequently should I update on orphanage on the progress of my child?

It varies. Edhi Foundation requires that you send updates along with a few current photographs every three months. Most members send an update and photographs every month until the child is six months old, after which they send updates every three months until the child's first birthday, after which updates can be sent once or twice a year. And once your child can write, have him/her send an update letter him/herself!

46.

How long does it take to adopt?

47.

How much does it cost to adopt?

48.

I will be staying at a hotel while I am in Pakistan. Can I give this address to the orphanage?

Yes, if your stay in Pakistan is temporary. You should, however, eventually give them the permanent address of someone you know.

49.

Can we adopt privately?

50.

What is the legal definition of an orphan?

Under U.S. immigration law, an orphan is a foreign child who does not have any parents because of the death or disappearance of, abandonment or desertion by, or separation or loss from, both parents. An orphan can also be a foreign-born child with a sole or surviving parent who is unable to provide for the child's basic needs, consistent with the local standards of the foreign sending country, and has, in writing, irrevocably released the child for emigration and adoption. For such a child to gain immigration benefits, an orphan petition must be filed before his or her 16th birthday. The only exception to this is when a child is adopted with or after a sibling who is considered a "child" under the Act who has been or will be adopted by the same adoptive or prospective adoptive parent(s). In this type of case, the petition must be filed before the child reaches age 18.

51.

We have a baby available but do not have any of the paperwork done. What do we do?

It is strongly recommend that you complete your home study and submit the I-600A before you go to Pakistan to receive custody of the child. Although you can apply for the I-600 directly (without first getting the I-600A approved), it is not recommend, especially in Pakistan, because of the length of time it takes for approval. You must have the home study completed and the I-600 approved in order to apply for an immigrant visa to bring the child back to the US. If you go to Pakistan and take custody of a child without having your home study done, you will need to come back to US to complete your home study and then apply for I-600. In such "private adoption" cases, the US Embassy in Pakistan may not accept the child as an orphan and you will have a very difficult time bringing that baby home.

52.

We can not go to Pakistan for the adoption process. What are our options?

You can give someone you trust in Pakistan Power of Attorney to represent you throughout the adoption process.

53.

How often should we call Edhi to show how interested we are in adoption?

That depends entirely on you. Some of our members called two or three times a week. Your local contact should also call frequently to further your case. In fact, Mrs. Edhi has said in several cases that the diligence of the local contact was the deciding factor for her to offer the child for adoption. The more interest you and your local contact show, the more likely it is that you will get your baby sooner.

54.

Does Edhi accept faxed applications? Do they require an original signature?

Edhi Foundation does not currently accept electronic applications. They do accept faxed applications, however, they also require photographs and other documents. One option is to scan the completed application form and other documents and email them along with your photographs to your local Pakistani contact who can then print the documents and photographs and submit them to Edhi foundation. Edhi Foundation does not require original signatures on the application form.

55.

If and when we get the call for the baby and if my husband is unable to go, will I need to get the power of attorney from him?

Power of attorney authorizes the designee on behalf of the giver. Yes, if your husband is unable to go, it is a good idea to have him give you a power of attorney to act on his behalf in all matters pertaining to the adoption. For legal purposes, it then does not require his presence at all in Pakistan, you can work through the system with that piece of paper in hand. However, it is important for emotional reasons that he be with you at least through a couple of steps.

60.

Is it safe for the child to get BCG vaccination?

Some studies say that though BCG vaccination is not harmful, some people who have received the BCG vaccine are tested positive for TB using the mantoux test (This is the test where a small bubble of fluid is injected just under the skin of the forearm and have you return in 2 days to have it read). People who have received the BCG vaccine usually have to get a chest x-ray to confirm that they do not have TB. Most children are tested for TB before they start school. The chest x-ray is not a big deal, but just a hassle. It is not known if the newer BCG vaccines are any different, however, in US BCG vaccine is not given.

DISCLAIMER: All listings, information, links, and personal opinions on this web site are collected and compiled by an informal group of individuals and provided as a community service to people planning to adopt a child from Pakistan. The information may not be current or accurate nor is it intended to be an endorsement for any agency, organization, individual etc. You may use this site solely at your own risk. This website assumes no liability for any damages resulting from the use of any information on this site. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be copied or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the group.