Primary Provider Services
What is a Primary Provider?
The Primary Provider is a Hague authorized adoption agency that oversees the six adoption services to ensure they are performed properly and ethically in compliance with the Hague Convention on International Adoption. They are also responsible for identifying the domestic or foreign agency or institution that will provide each of the adoption services. Every international adoption (whether a Hague or Non-Hague country) requires an Accredited Adoption Service Provider to serve as the Primary Provider.
Your first step is to learn about adoption from a particular country. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website to find out more about country-specific eligibility requirements.
ACI as your Primary Provider
Family Resource Center may be able to serve as the Primary Provider for your international adoption in the cases of parent-initiated and relative adoptions.
Family Resource Center (DBA Adoption Center of Illinois) has been Hague-accredited since 2008. This accreditation allows us to act as an accredited Adoption Service Provider (ASP) for international adoptions: Hague adoptions, non-Hague adoptions, Incoming adoptions, and Outgoing adoptions.
Adoptions from non-Hague countries
Families that have not completed an adoption are asked to contact an agency that offers placing services to identify and adopt a child from the country you seek to adopt.
State Department Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 – Excerpt from State Department: You may still act on your own behalf in your own adoption case if permitted under the laws of the state in which you reside and the laws of the country in which you seek to adopt. Although you do not need accreditation or approval to act on your own behalf, your actions need to comply with applicable law, and you will still need to work with an accredited agency or approved person to act as the primary provider in your case.
A primary provider helps to ensure that non-Convention adoption services are provided reflecting the same standards of practice and ethical conduct as in Convention cases. The Department strongly recommends working with an accredited or approved adoption service provider that will act as primary provider from the outset of each intercountry adoption case. Proceeding with your intercountry adoption case without an accredited or approved primary provider may delay or impede the completion of the case and may increase the overall cost of the case.
International Home Study
In addition to requiring a Primary Provider, families must also work with a qualified Home Study Agency. Illinois residents may utilize ACI’s Primary Provider services and our International Home Study Services. These two services are independent and separate from one another and require separate fees.
Our non-Illinois families will also need an adoption agency in their state to complete the international home study. ACI can support you in finding a qualified agency in your area.
Fees
The fee for FRC’s Primary Provider Service for the adoption of ONE child is $6,450. This includes a $815 Monitoring and Oversight (M&O) fee paid directly to CEAS, the accrediting entity. PLEASE NOTE: Families who adopt more than one child will pay an additional $1,100 fee per child which includes the CEAS fee. If you would like to move forward, please review the sample Primary Provider Agreement.
Next Steps
Please email Jane Turner jturner@adoptillinois.org and Michelle Setka msetka@adoptillinois.org to discuss your specific case. We would be happy to speak with you, answer any questions you may have and help you determine if FRC would be able to support you as the Primary Provider for your international adoption.