Colombia's adoption program is a wonderful option for individuals and couples seeking to impact the life of an older child, siblings, or a child with special needs. The program is long-standing, reliable, ethically run and the country is politically stable and close to the US. IAN is one of several US agencies accredited in Colombia by ICBF (Colombian Institute of Family Welfare/Instituto Colombiano de Bienstar Familar), a branch of the Colombian Central Authority.
Want to host before you adopt? Learn about the benefits of the Colombia host-to-adopt program!
There is no residency requirement to adopt in Colombia. However, prospective adoptive parents (PAP's) must be able to be in Colombia during the adoption process, which is a minimum of four to five weeks, sometimes longer. US citizens living outside the US (expats) are no longer able to adopt from Colombia, per ICBF's guidelines.
Citizenship
The U.S. Department of State requires Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) to be U.S. citizens in order to immigrate a chlid to the United States through the intercounty adoption process.
For married PAPs, only one parent must be a U.S. citizen.
Single adoptive parents must be U.S. citizens.
Age Requirements
PAPs must be between the age of 25-60.
The oldest parent cannot be more than 45 years older than the adopted child.
Marital Status
Married heterosexual and same-sex couples who are married, and in the relationship for at least 2 years.
Single women and single men can adopt.
Income
PAPs must demonstrate the means to support the physical and educational needs of the child.
Health
PAPs must not have a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Other: IAN offers the Heritage Program for Colombian Citizens
Colombian citizens living in the US may qualify for the Colombian Heritage Adoption Program, allowing them to adopt the youngest, healthiest children in need of families in Colombia. IAN will help you determine if you meet criteria, and notify you where to get the paperwork needed to prove Colombian citizenship. If single, the Colombian citizen must also be a US citizen.
Children In Need
Sibling groups can be adopted with one child being 10 years or older and the other child being younger, and sibling groups of 3 or more.
Age
Children in need of families range from 1-15 years old.
Gender
ICBF requests that parents be open to a child of either gender.
Health
Children available for adoption in Colombia will have minor to severe special needs, or may be healthy older children. It is important to note that if the child is older, the child may still have a history of trauma or behaviors due to their past and institutionalized living.
Adoption Process and Timeline
Timeframes will vary per adoption. In general it can take between 18-36 months from starting your adoption journey to when you complete your adoption. If the family has hosted the child(ren) they are adopting, the adoption process will be shorter.
1
Choose an Adoption Agency
Choose an accredited Adoption Service Provider (ASP) who is accredited by ICBF in Colombia such as IAN. IAN's Colombia team has decades of experience navigating the Colombian adoption system and providing guidance to clients.
2
Apply to be found eligible to adopt
First complete a home study. You will have to hire an external agency if you do not reside in Colorado. IAN will be able to provide you recommendations. If you reside in Colorado, IAN can be your home study agency as well.
After home study approval, apply for U.S. Immigration approval. (3-4 months). While waiting on USCIS approval, complete dossier for Colombia.
Once U.S. Immigration approval is received, submit dossier to ICBF. They will determine suitability to adopt in Colombia. If approved, go on waiting list for referral, or choose a child from the Waiting Child list of older kids or kids with special needs.
3
Accept Child Referral
The wait to receive a child referral from the ICBF greatly varies depending on the number of children you want to adopt, age, and type of special needs.
When you accept referral of the child proposed by ICBF, you will file I800 to USCIS and then you are approximately 2.5-3 months away from traveling to adopt your child.
4
Obtain Necessary Approvals to Immigrate the Child into the U.S.
5
Travel to Colombia and bring the child home
6
Post Adoption Visits and Reports
There is a requirement from Colombia to submit Post Adoption reports at regular intervals. Visit "Post Adoption" to learn more.
Travel Requirements
Adoptive parents are expected to take 1 trip to Colombia that lasts around 4-6 weeks. Your trip could be longer due to a variety of reasons, but the majority of families will complete their adoption within that timeline.
During your time in Colombia, you will have a facilitator to help you through each adoption- and immigration- related process.
You will be required to spend 7-10 business days of bonding with your potential adoptive child in your child's region before going to court in La Mesa, and then to Bogota for the immigration procedures.
A married couple will be required to both be present for the first two weeks in-country, once the court is over, one parent can go back to the U.S. while the other parent stays for the rest of the process.
Cost Estimates
It can vary from $40,000 to $60,000. Not all the costs will necessarily apply and all fees can change at any time. To receive IAN's Colombia fee agreement and schedule, click on "Contact a Coordinator" and fill out the contact form.
Ready to start or have questions? Our coordinators are here to help!
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