Dossier & Documentation
A dossier is the official adoption file submitted to the child’s country of origin. It must be accurate, complete, and prepared according to strict legal, administrative, and country-specific requirements. Families will be supported and guided during this more detailed and technical stage of the adoption process.
What Is a Dossier?
A dossier is the official file that represents your family to the child’s country of origin. It includes documentation about your identity, family background, health, finances, readiness, provincial approval, and eligibility to adopt.
Each country has its own dossier requirements. The Children’s Bridge and your Program Manager will provide country-specific instructions when it is time to begin. Families should not begin detailed dossier preparation until they have received the correct country-specific instructions from their Program Manager.
Common Dossier Components
While requirements vary by country, many dossiers include a combination of personal, legal, medical, financial, and adoption-related documents.
Possible Documentations:
- Home Study approval
- Medical documents
- Financial documents
- Police clearances
- References
- Identity documents
- Immigration/citizenship paperwork
- Country-specific forms
- Family profile materials
Because each program is different, a general checklist should not be treated as complete or final. Your Program Manager will confirm what is required for your program and when documents should be prepared.
Dossier Requirements
These steps help confirm that documents meet the legal and administrative standards required by the country of origin.
The Children’s Bridge provides instructions for the applicable process and helps families understand how documents should be prepared and submitted. Accuracy matters. Incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly prepared documents may delay the process.
Dossier documents may require:
1
Notarisation
2
Authentication
3
Apostille
4
Legalisation
5
Translation
How Countries Vary
India, Thailand, and the USA each have different dossier requirements and submission processes. Some programs may require additional assessments, specific forms, annual updates, or time-sensitive documents.
Families should review the relevant country program page for a high-level understanding, then follow the specific instructions provided by their Program Manager.
Questions about your dossier?
Once the dossier is submitted, the file is reviewed according to the requirements of the country program. If accepted or approved, the file may become active for matching, depending on the program.
Active status does not mean an immediate referral or proposed match. Timelines vary by country, child profile, family openness, acceptance factors, and program process. Some documents may also need to be updated while a family is waiting.