As the US marches past its first year of being a Hague Country, we are able to better evaluate and outline the criteria making adoption programs desirable for our families. Recently we have met with several officials from the Department of State and the USCIS and discussed provisions and regulations of the convention, and we are fully confident offering this program to our families.

Latvian authorities respect and uphold the spirit and the letter of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption and are working in the best interest of children. In accordance with the standards of the Convention, and coinciding with our own commitment to transparency, this program offers clear and defined understanding of the process and includes governmental checks and balances throughout the stages of the process.

Overall, Latvian adoption program is a wonderful opportunity for parents looking to adopt from a Convention Country.

We are accepting applications for this program.

CHILDREN:
until December 31, 2010 Latvian Ministry Of Welfare will only accept foreign adoption cases for adoption of:

three or more siblings;

children over the age of 9; children, who were diagnosed with serious diseases or with severe health (mental/physical development) interferences;

Direct quote form Latvia Ministry of Welfare “children, about whom orphan's court has made a decision about adoption to foreign countries and for whom it was not possible to find foreign adopters (in accordance with the adoption applications which already are submitted in the Ministry) and about whom the information is given at the Ministry`s web page.”

There may be some special considerations, but Latvian authorities review those situations on a case by case basis.

PARENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Age Requirements: Latvia does not have any age requirements for intercountry adoptions.
• Marriage Requirements: Both single individuals and married couples are eligible to adopt.
• Income Requirements: Latvia does not have any income requirements for intercountry adoptions.

REFERRAL TIME: You should receive a referral within 9 to 12 months after your documents are registered in the country.

ADOPTION PROCESS
Because Latvia is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from Latvia must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention's requirements.

1.Complete the dossier

2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt

3. Be Matched with a Child by Latvian Authorities

4. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States

5. Adopt the Child in Latvia

6. Bring your Child Home

ASSOCIATED EXPENSES:

Homestudy fees:

Homestudy fee is $1500, document expertise fee is $500.
If your Homestudy is prepared by another agency World Links charges $650 Review and Approval fee.

Adoption expenses in the United States:

Apostillization of your documents	Depends on state; ranges from FREE to $25 per document.
USCIS approval	$670, plus $80 per every household member over the age of 18 for fingerprinting.
FBI clearances	$18 per every household member over the age of 18
State criminal clearance	Depends on state
Sexual abuse clearances	Depends on state
Medical exam	Your medical practitioner's standard fees.
Child's immigration visa	US Embassy charges $400 per visa
Child Medical (this is a requirement of the US Embassy	US Embassy approved clinic chargers about $125 per child for evaluation, varies with age

Foreign country program expenses:

International Program Fee of $14,800.

Expenses incurred in care of the child:

This category applies if you request extra care for your prospective child.

Translation and document expenses:

The amount is $2050.00, it is already included into the International Program Fee

Contributions to child welfare service programs in the child's country of origin

You are not required to make donations to child welfare programs, to orphanages or other institutions. You may do so if you choose and your donations will be greatly appreciated.

Fees for Post Placement and Post Adoption reports:

Post Adoption Report processing fee is $250 per report. Post Adoption Report preparation fee is charged by your homestudy agency.

Third Party Fees

There aren't any third parties fees that aren't paid for by the agency, that are a direct expenses for the adoption process. You may incur some 3-rd party fees for sightseeing and other tourist activities or transportation expenses.

Travel and accommodations expenses:

World Links bases these estimates on the average amounts associated with the minimal required travel and accommodations, and can not account for personal taste and preferences of airlines, hotels, meals, and entertainment.
Airfare to Latvia is approximately $1,000.00 per person round trip.
Accommodations in Latvia for the course of 3 weeks averages between $2,500.00 and $3,000.00. Accommodations costs must be wired to Latvia prior to travel to prove your self-sufficiency for the duration of the stay.

Agency Fee:

Agency Fee is $6,400.00 for all programs.

SCHEDULE

The following payment schedule details stages of your process and the amounts due for services to World Links and foreign providers.

Please note that following World Links' "Commitment to Transparency" all fees, except outlined above third party fees, are paid to World Links and then World Links pays foreign service providers.

Description	Amount	When	Comment
Application Fee	$250	with application	check #1
Agency Fee (part 1)	$1,200	with signed agreement	check #2
Homestudy Review	$650	upon submission of homestudy to World Links	check #3
Agency Fee (part 2)	$5,200	upon submission of dossier to World Links	check #4
Program Fee (part 1)	$4,800	upon submission of dossier to World Links	check #5
Program Fee (part 2)	$6,000	upon approval by Latvia Central Adoption Authority	check #6
Program Fee (part 3)	$2,000	upon approval by Latvia Central Adoption Authority	check #7
Program Fee (part 4)	$2,000	upon invitation to travel to Latvia	check #8

Estimated total cost of your adoption from Latvia is around $26,000.00 to $29,000.00 depending on your choice of airfare and accommodations.