Advice needed

Ruth, I tried to do an independent adoption, without help of any agency, and the US and Colombia government rejected the idea. Go to the [URL="http://www.icbf.gov.co/Nuestros_programas/english_version.html"]ICBF website[/URL] and look for agencies in US. They will help you with all the steps you have to follow in US and in Colombia. Also, the orphanage that you are thinking to work with, sure have contacts with US agencies, they can help you select one. I'm not sure if ICBF will allow private parties to match you with children in Colombia. They have a very well establish adoption program and private adoptions are not allowed. But of course, I can be wrong and a placement agency here in US can give you a better answer. BTW, it is essential to go through paperwork to bring the child here. No offense, but you have to prove that you are not stealing the child from Colombia, and that you got him/her just right. Colombia and US are Hague countries that have a lot of regulations to avoid child trafficking, and that Ruth is a very good thing. Welcome to this journey!

Ruth, It is illegal in Colombia to have a private party match you with a child. Additionally, because Colombia is a party to the Hague Convention, you are required to use an agency in the US, and only this agency -- under ICBF rules -- can send your documents to ICBF. Private orphanages are authorized by ICBF and therefore must follow similar guidelines. If you or your husband are Colombian -- with a CEDULA. You should join the Yahoo Groups called --Colombians Adopt Colombians There is more information there. Good luck on your journey.

Hi Ruth, If you contact agencies that adopt through Colombia, they will send you packets of information. The information should clearly explain cost, paperwork, steps, et cetera... Good luck!

love the posts - very informational The us agency costs are killing me! I know we can't discuss costs but there must be some non-profit agencies that are more interested in saving kids than $$. I am still doing reseach on agencies. Does anyone know where I can find pictures of what columbians look like. I heard there are all types of ethnicities and looks vary. What does that mean? One of my friends is from columbia and she is beautiful. Cheers!

There are 17 approved agencies. You must choose 1 one them as your agency that will send your dossier to Colombia. ICBF has a list of 16 of them on their website. Since they posted the list in April of last year, one other agency has been accredited. I am placing a link to the ICBF list and then a link to the additionally approved agency. [URL="http://www.icbf.gov.co/Nuestros_programas/adopciones.html#organismos"]ICBF - Nuestros programas - Adopciones[/URL][URL="http://www.childrenshopeint.org/"]International Adoption Agency :: Child Adoption Services :: China Adoption :: Adoption Informations[/URL] This is not an endorsement for any of the agencies -- simply a statement of fact. These are the 17 authorized agencies. It would behoove you to contact each of them and compare prices, service, details of the program -- what are they offering you for that price, etc. Once you have narrowed down your list, ask people here and on other forums for their opinions about the agency, their staff in the US and their staff in Colombia. There is often more to the experience than just the price -- however, a higher price does not necessarily correspond to better service and vice versa. First, you should know that COLOMBIA is spelled with 2 O's and no U. Second, Colombians are of all races -- from blond and blue eyed to Native American to African American and every combination in between. All of them are beautiful :). Here is a video where you can learn more about Colombia and it's people. [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXtvGsYS0UM"]YouTube - colombia is passion[/URL] [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgW8Y7F8DN8&feature=related"]YouTube - COLOMBIA: Would you take the risk?[/URL] Also feel free to learn more about Colombia at:[url=http://raisingcolombiankids.blogspot.com/]Colombia Adoption -- Raising Colombian Kids[/url]