I get many request from readers and friends on what the adoption process is. It is cumbersome, I won’t lie to you but its not as bad as one might think.
I’m going to link you to several different agencies so that you can get an idea of how they do things differently. Our first agency, Adoption Associates, was fantastic at processing paperwork and “crossed every t” before papers went overseas.

We finally got an email today from the Consulate that indicates our DNA is final…finally. So, basically, the Guatemalan USCIS has issued our case Pre-approval and when we get the social worker to finish up the family court documents our case can now move to PGN (unless there is an issue with our family court papers).
Prospective adoptive parents must receive receipt of “pre-approval” from the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHS/USCIS) office in Guatemala before their attorney can submit their dossier to the Guatemalan authorities. After obtaining clearance from a social worker under the supervision …read more

The more and more I read on the tabloids (thanks Brit) and on the Internet I feel that celebrities are playing the adoption card. Even Britney Spears, who was recently forced to share custody of her biological children with Kevin Federline is in the final stages of a China adoption. (ummm…not happening according to China time-lines and the Chinese adoption laws. Does anyone do their research?)
According to the agency The Great Wall of China the requirements to adopt from China are as follows: (I have highlighted circumstantial issues that pertain to Britney’s case.)