International Adoption
General Eligibilty Requirements
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Please note the following eligibility guidelines are general - each country's requirements vary.

Age
In most cases, applicants must be at least 25 years old and under age 50 to adopt an infant. Fewer age restrictions exist for families interested in older or special needs children.

Marital Status
Singles and couples may apply to LFS for international adoption. Married couples must have been married for at least two years, and if divorced, may not have been divorced more than two times.

Financial
The family income and assets must be sufficient to meet the family´s needs including any prospective adoptive children´s needs.

Health Status
The prospective adoptive parents and other household members need to be free of communicable diseases and physical and mental disabilities which would interfere with their ability to care for children. A written statement from a physician is required to affirm your ability to parent.

Medical Insurance
Adult members of the prospective adoptive family must have medical insurance. Medical insurance must be available, for a child with pre-existing conditions, at the time of placement.

Legal Restrictions
Applicants should not have been convicted of child abuse or neglect, or any felony.

Religious Affiliation
The prospective adoptive family must be active members of a Christian church in the community of family residence. Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska defines Christian as "one who believes in the Triune God and confesses that Christ is Lord."

Cultural Issues
Adoptive parents need to have the capacity to honor and respect their child´s racial and cultural background, particularly if it differs from their own. They should be able to help the child integrate his or her genetic and adoptive identities.

Homestudy
All household members need to participate in the hometudy. The applicant´s home must meet the physical requirements for adoptive homes established by the state of Nebraska´s licensing regulations indicating there is adequate space and health and safety issues are sufficiently addressed.