For childless and charitable couples in the United States, tsunami orphans are irresistible. State Department and international adoption organization officials say the calls are pouring in - people seeking information about adopting the children.

The answer is short and disappointing: They're off limits.

The instinct to adopt is common after catastrophes, said Susan Stockham, an international adoption lawyer in Sarasota.

However, an international adoption after a natural disaster isn't realistic because even in good times, most countries have strict rules and regulations on the process.

``People are calling for it, and it's too early for those countries impacted to make any decision,'' Stockham said. ``Their first concern is to care for children in the country in crisis. They need to locate parents and relatives.''

Reports of child trafficking for illegal adoptions and the sex trade have surfaced in regions affected by the tsunami. UNICEF in Malaysia received an e-mail offering 300 orphans for adoption, according to wire news reports.

Because of the danger to children, most of the countries temporarily shut down all adoptions. The U.S. temporarily takes countries dealing with abductions and sale of children off the international adoption list, Stockham said.

Still, the calls come, said State Department spokeswoman Kelly Shannon, and callers are directed to the department's Web site.

It states, in part: ``The State Department believes it will take many months before the situation in those countries affected by the tsunami stabilizes to the point where it will be possible to identify children who are legitimate orphans in need of intercountry adoption.''

International adoption proceedings generally are a long, drawn out process, said Jeanne Tate, a Tampa adoption lawyer for 20 years. Tate said there is no rapid remedy outside of providing relief funding for those affected by the devastation.

``Essentially, the country of origin has to terminate parental rights,'' she said. ``It is slow. We can't just run over there because our heartstrings are telling us to save them from the awful disaster.''

Just four children from Sri Lanka, 72 from Thailand and 472 from India were adopted by U.S. parents in 2003, according to the State Department. China was the No. 1 country for U.S. foreign adoptions that year with 6,859 children. Russia and Guatemala were second and third, respectively.

Adoption procedures vary by affected country. Adoption is illegal in Bangladesh, but Bangladesh citizens may apply for guardianship of children, according to the Joint Council on International Children's Services, an affiliation of nonprofit international adoption organizations.

Prospective adoptive parents may be required to live in Malaysia for two or more years during the process, and non- Muslims may not adopt Muslim children, the joint council says.

High cost also is a consideration. Adopting a foreign child typically costs $20,000 to $30,000, according to Stockham and several international adoption agencies' Web sites.

After tsunami-affected countries establish children are orphans, and if the children are not adopted domestically, they can allow adoption by foreigners, Tate said.

``There are screenings and assessments,'' Tate said. ``The parents have to get a visa to travel, and the child has to get a visa to come back with them. That process has become cumbersome.''

The best thing is to look elsewhere, said one voice of experience. Susan Merrill and her husband, Mark, have five children, two of them adopted from a Siberian orphanage in September.

Merrill, 42, said it's only right that the tsunami orphans aren't up for international adoption.

``If you have that heart, do it now wherever you can,'' Merrill said. ``Indonesia will not release them for adoption. They will not lose their children, and it's understandable. That's their future. Many children were lost, and they can't afford to lose more.''

Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached at (813) 259-7920.