New Zealanders can no longer adopt in Russia as the NZ Ministry of Social Development has failed to negotiate a satisfactory bilateral agreement with the Russian authorities. All queries should be directed to the Minister of Social Development.
Lithuania is a small, independent, democratic European country next to Poland, Latvia, Belarus, and Russia. Its population is 3.6 million people, a little smaller than NZ. Lithuania is mostly a Catholic country with many beautiful churches. Families must be prepared to help the children understand the importance of where they came from, Lithuania's rich history, language and heritage, and to respect the children’s cultural and religious background.
This programme is especially suitable for New Zealanders wishing to adopt children from the following groups:
1. An individual child from 5 to 14 years with some possible health or behavioural problems. Younger children 5-6 years are more likely to have more serious health problems. Older children may be healthy, but have some learning difficulties or behavioural problems that are common to the children growing up in the orphanages. Children over 8 years might not have any health, learning or behavioural problems but have experienced sadness in their past.
2. A sibling group of two children. This might be two children up to about 10 years, where one of them might have some health problems. It might also be two children with the older sibling up to about 12 years and the younger sibling up to about 5 years; they might be healthy or have some learning difficulties or health problems. Another option could be two children over 8 years that may have no health problems.
3. A sibling group of three or more children. These sibling groups can consist of children from 4 to 14 years. The most common case is three children from 5 to 10 years. Usually such children do not have any identified health or behavioural problems.
4. In some rare cases, it is possible to adopt an individual child or a sibling group without any health problems, but where the adoptive family are required to maintain regular contact with biological siblings of the child/children in Lithuania.
Statistics on adoptions from Lithuania including numbers (in age groups) of children available can be viewed here.
As in other European countries, children are cared for in orphanages after coming into government care earlier in their lives. Children are usually of European ethnicity, aged 1-15 years of age, with many older family groups waiting for adoption. Children may have backgrounds of abandonment, neglect or abuse. Families should be comfortable dealing with post-institutionalization issues and possible developmental delays in the children. Children often need personal attention from a dedicated parent to reverse the developmental delays caused by living in an institution. The developmental needs of institutionalised children are well documented and we advise you to educate yourself on this so you can offer wise parenting and have realistic expectations.
Prospective adoptive parents must be
All adoptions are approved by the Lithuanian State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service, under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the Central Authority for Adoption in Lithuania. At the New Zealand end the adoption is approved by the New Zealand Central Authority for Adoption (NZCA).
In Lithuania ICANZ works through its representative, an attorney-at-law in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania. The Attorney liaises with the Lithuanian Adoption Service on behalf of ICANZ and the adoptive parents, and represents parents during the legal process, including the court hearing.
The adoption process is very well regulated and adoptions are typically completed in under a year.
You'll need to pay for all costs associated with ICANZ work for you in NZ, the work of the ICANZ Attorney who represents you in Lithuania, translation work in Lithuania, travel, accommodation, personal costs and post placement reporting costs. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for details. Also see our article on why there are costs involved in adoption.
Thailand's known as the land of smiles, elephants and Buddhism. Although it's one of the most developed countries in the region, it remains a fascinating blend of ancient cultures and traditions. Thais like to avoid anger and criticism and have a philosophical attitude towards life and the world.
NOTE: In order to keep waiting times reasonable, from time to time ICANZ may put a limit on the number of applications for children under 5 based on our knowledge of children waiting for adoption and we may need to implement the pre-registration process. Currently there is no waiting for prospective adoptive parents - we can accept new applicants immediately.
We can help with adoptions of individual children or siblings from around 1 1/2 years to 10 or more years old. There are more boys than girls placed for adoption and applications to adopt a girl take longer. First time parents for the youngest children (under 3) cannot specify gender. There are also children with medical needs that need a loving home.
Many of the children were relinquished by single birth parents at, or shortly after, birth, but each child's story is individual. As in most developing countries, some families in Thailand struggle with providing basic needs for their children. Poverty, difficult social circumstances and lack of opportunity conspire against families, often resulting in great need for some children.
Before a child is referred for international adoption, the authorities have confirmed that it is not possible to reunite the child with the birth family, an appropriate extended family member or a local Thai adoptive family.
Adoptions between New Zealand and Thailand are conducted according to the Hague Convention. ICANZ carries out all the steps for the adoption, with the Child Adoption Board of Thailand, which is the Central Authority for Adoption in Thailand, approving each adoption. At the New Zealand end, our own New Zealand Central Authority (NZCA) also approves each adoption.
For some adoptions ICANZ works with an accredited organisation called Friends For All Children Foundation, established in 1977. Thai law prevents adoptive parents approaching FFAC directly to adopt. Adoptive parents must work through their partner accredited organisation in NZ, ie ICANZ. FFAC runs small child care centres in both Bangkok and in the north of Thailand, which provide a variety of services to local families. Aside from care and adoption planning for some children, FFAC also provides educational support, food and material aid and entertainment programs for local children. Children may also be cared for in smaller group homes or in foster homes.
Other children reside in a variety of larger government run children's homes throughout Thailand.
Timeframes for adoption from Thailand vary significantly. Each child's case is unique. Although some adoptions are much quicker, in general, the time from application to ICANZ to bringing your child home is about 2 years. Please do not apply for adoption in Thailand unless you're willing and able to cope with variable timeframes and can be very patient!
You'll need to pay for all costs associated with ICANZ work for you, travel accommodation, personal costs and post placement reporting costs. Contact ICANZ for details. Also see our article on why there are costs involved in adoption.
The Philippines is a tropical country made up of 7,107 islands. Here you'll find active volcanoes
New Zealanders can adopt children who don't have a family to care for them, are living in the care of "Child Caring Agencies" and approved for adoption by the Philippines Inter Country Adoption Board (ICAB). As in most developing countries, some families in the Philippines struggle with providing basic needs for their children. Poverty, difficult social circumstances and lack of opportunity conspire against families often resulting in great need for some children.
Contact ICANZ to discuss your situation as each case is considered individually and the above generalised requirements can vary, especially if you are applying for older children, or family groups, the "waiting children".
Children are cared for by an authorised Child Caring Agency. Some Child Caring Agencies are authorised church based organisations. Other children are cared for in facilities run by the Government.
All adoptions are approved by the Inter Country Adoption Board (ICAB), the Central Authority for Adoption in the Philippines. At the New Zealand end, ICANZ represents you and carries out the adoption work, and all adoptions are approved by our Central Authority for Adoption (NZCA). ICANZ works with our Liaison Partner agency, Samaritan's Place, to assist with the applications of adoptive parents.
Timing is very variable, from 12-24+ months to referral, depending on the age, number of children, characteristics of child(ren) you are applying for. For those wishing to adopt older children or large family groups the wait may be far less. Contact us to chat about this.
You will need to pay for costs associated with ICANZ and Samaritans' Place work for you, the ICAB fees in the Philippines, the ICAB approved contribution fee to the Child Caring Agency, travel, accommodation and personal costs. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Also see our article on why there are costs involved in adoption.