Adoption Adoption process Adoption Counselling Adoption Cooperation Countries Bulgaria Colombia India South-Africa Thailand Questions about Adoption Costs of the Adoption Process Requirements married couples (also same sex couples) and a restricted number of single applicants can apply the applicant family can have biological or adopted children in the family good physical and mental health at least five years’ duration of the relationship (applicant couples) the age of the applicants correlates with the adoptive child’s age adoption preparatory course Families are sought for children aged 0–6 years mild special needs are possible, most commonly prematurity children with more severe special needs and older children also need families Estimated waiting time approximately one year’s waiting time to send the application to South Africa 1–3 years in South Africa the waiting time depends on the child’s needs and the applicants’ abilities Adoption trip usually the family leaves for South Africa in two weeks after the child proposal the trip takes about four weeks Our cooperation contact in South Africa Abba Specialist Adoption & Social Services (Abba) More information of South Africa: Marika Elmeranta, Senior Adoption Coordinator, marika.elmeranta(at)interpedia.fi or 050-919 5380.