In December, the U.S. Department of State released their FY 2010 Annual Report on Intercountry Adoptions.  The State Department first published this report for FY 2008 in response to a requirement put in place by the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000.

The report shows that the total number for FY 2010 is 11,059 adoptions.  For the 6th year in a row, intercountry adoption has been on a steady decline.  Over the past decade, intercountry adoption saw a peak at 22,990 in FY 2004, however, the past two years we have seen numbers lower than they were in FY 1999.

Again this past year, China has been the top sending country at 3,401 total adoptions.  The second and third sending countries also remained unchanged from FY 2009 with Ethiopia at 2,513 total adoptions, and Russia at 1,082.

To assist Americans in adopting internationally, the State Department has a list of Hague Accredited Adoption Providers, as well as country-specific information that explains the requirements and process of each country.