Does anyone have any experience of adopting in France

[franceadoption]

My husband and I are both English and living in France. We have decided we would like to adopt and as this is not possible via the UK system we have do it here. Does any one have any experience of the system and process in France they can share? We have already been in contact with our local department and had first group meeting and now at the initial form filling stage.

Our French isn't too bad but this process would be daunting in English, let alone a second language so if anyone can share I would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Have you heard of any English couples adopting in France at all? I would have thought that if you were not fluent in French and you don't have a really deep understanding of the French culture, it would be impossible for you to adopt a French child? I find it hard to understand how they would be able to fully assess you if you are not fluent. Were they positive at the first meeting?

Thanks for the reply but not really seeing how your comments are helpful timeswingchariot? Based on what you are saying no non-native people would ever be suitable as adoptive parents! As I said our French isn't too bad, we have a good understanding of the culture, we are well integrated where we live and of course we were able to be understood at the first adoption meeting. As it happens we are unlikely to be adopting a French child and like thousands of other adoptive or potentially adoptive parents we will be working with international agencies. We just have to get the approval in France since we are resident here.

Like a lot of people going through the adoption process I would like to exchange experiences so I am very interested to hear of anyone who actually is non-French and has experience of the process here. Or even French people who have been through the adoption process in France.

Thanks

I haven't sorry.
But are you aware that in the UK there are more adopters waiting than children needing adoption? It would be highly unlikely you would be able to adopt a British child to take to France...for this reason alone.
However in terms of international adoption from other countries outside of Europe I can only guess it would be the same from France or the UK.
I'm not aware of anyone here who is French...but I may be wrong.

Have you tried Adoption UK website? They attract more people.

hope thats helpful.

PS
I really would try to find someone nearer you to help you through the process - reach out through friends of friends - even facebook ask for friends of friends to PM you privately if they know someone who could walk you through the process? It is so much easier with a friend or a sounding board, for emotional support, and paperwork etc.....you will also have to provide references and it helps sometimes if you know other adopters who are nearby!

Thanks for the reply bostonkremekrazy. Indeed, we are pretty much resigned to the fact that we will need to expand our international search well beyond Western Europe for the reasons you mention. The international process is the same here as it would be in the UK, the difference being that we have to have the approval in France since we are permanent residents here. Then we are free to go off and chose whichever approved international agency we like in theory and the local department (council) supports us through the process as well.

Thanks for the site recommendation, I will check that out for sure and see if I can start a thread there. We do know a few people who have adopted so are lucky to be able to talk to them about the process in general when we want to... just that no one we know has been through the French system before!

Have you an assigned SW? I wonder if he/she could put you in touch with other people she's worked with? My SW did this so I've a little group of people locally I'd have never known about otherwise.

@franceadoption Hi did you get anywhere with your adoption in France? My husband and I have recently moved here with our two children, and are considering adopting here in France. I wonder if you have any information on it please.

Hi my husband and I are starting to look into the adoption process in France. We have been living here for 4 years and have an 18 month old girl. Would be great to hear any useful tips / info. Thanks