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How to Adopt from Costa Rica

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Source: cia.gov.

Adoption Authority

Costa Rican Adoption Authority

The Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI), the Costa Rican child welfare authority, oversees adoptions of abandoned orphans who are in public institution.


The Process

Because Costa Rica is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from Costa Rica must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention's requirements. A brief summary of the Convention adoption process is given below. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all necessary legal requirements.


NOTE: If you filed your I-600a with Costa Rica before April 1, 2008, the Hague Adoption Convention may not apply to your adoption. Your adoption could continue to be processed in accordance with the immigration regulations for non-Convention adoptions. Learn more.


  1. Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider
  2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
  3. Be Matched with a Child
  4. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
  5. Adopt the Child in Costa Rica
  6. Bring your Child Home


1. Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider:

The first step in adopting a child from Costa Rica is to select an adoption service provider in the United States that has been accredited not only in the United States but also in Costa Rica. The accreditation of agencies in Costa Rica is done by the Costa Rican Central Authority, PANI. Prospective adoptive parent(s) seeking to adopt in Costa Rica need(s) to check with the Costa Rican Central Authority to find a current list of these agencies, You can find PANI's contact information at the end of this document. Only these agencies and attorneys can provide adoption services between the United States and Costa Rica. Learn more.

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