Latest revision as of 16:36, 8 July 2021

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

The official coat of arms.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Panamanian children.
Source: flickr.com.

Santo Domingo Church.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

The Old Quarter of City.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Mitre type lock gates at Gatun Lock, Canal.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Chiriquí.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Embera-Wounaan women dressed for a dance.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.

About Panama

Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). To learn more please read About Panama.

Hague Convention Information

Panama is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore, all intercountry adoptions between Panama and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention. To learn more please read about Panama and the Hague Convention.

Who Can Adopt

Adoption between the United States and Panama is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Panama, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn more. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Panama.

Who Can Be Adopted

Because Panama is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Panama must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. In accordance with the Convention, the Central Authority of Panama determines whether possibilities for placement of the child in Panama have been given due consideration. In addition to Panama's requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Panama.

How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

Panama's Adoption Authority

Panama's central adoption authority under the Hague Adoption Convention is the Secretaría Nacional de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (SENNIAF).

The Process

Because Panama is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from Panama 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 Panama 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. [1].

Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider
Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
Be Matched with a Child
Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
Adopt the Child in Panama
Bring your Child Home

To learn more about this process please read How to Adopt from Panama.

Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Panama. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. To learn more please read about Traveling Abroad in Panama.

After Adoption

What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.

Here are some good places to start your support group search:

Child Welfare Information Gateway

North American Council on Adoptable Children

Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons

Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Panama

Clayton Building #783 Ave. Demetrio B. Lakas Panama City, Republic of Panama Panama-Visas@state.gov

Panama's Adoption Authority

Secretaria Nacional de la Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (SENNIAF) Plaza Edison Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro Segundo Piso Panama City, Panama Tel: 500-6079 Fax: 500-6075 Internet: Panama's Adoption Authority

Embassy of Panama

Embassy of the Republic of Panama 2862 McGill Terr., NW Washington , DC 20008 Tel: 202-511-3800 Fax: 202-483-8413

Panama also has consulates in: Mobile, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, Honolulu, Chicago, New Orleans, New York, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Houston, and San Juan.

Office of Children's Issues

U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 E-mail: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)

1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)

SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=panama

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/pm-lgflag.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''The official flag.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/pm-map.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/locator/cam/pm_large_locator.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Coat_of_Arms_of_Panama.svg/543px-Coat_of_Arms_of_Panama.svg.png|410x579px|thumb|'''The official coat of arms.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7409385142_92fb91a798.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Panamanian children.'''<BR/>Source: flickr.com.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Arco_chato.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Santo Domingo Church.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Architecture_in_Panama_City.jpg/600px-Architecture_in_Panama_City.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''The Old Quarter of [[Panama]] City.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Gatun_lock_gate.JPG/450px-Gatun_lock_gate.JPG|410x579px|thumb|'''Mitre type lock gates at Gatun Lock, [[Panama]] Canal.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/VistaBoquete.jpg/800px-VistaBoquete.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Chiriquí.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Panama_Embera_0617.jpg/800px-Panama_Embera_0617.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Embera-Wounaan women dressed for a dance.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
-{{#eimage:|410x579px|thumb|'''.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+'''Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating [[international]] adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry [[Universal Accreditation Act]].'''
+The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.
+=About Panama=
+Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, [[Panama]] broke with [[Spain]] in 1821 and joined a union of [[Colombia]], [[Ecuador]], and [[Venezuela]] - named the Republic of Gran [[Colombia]]. When the latter dissolved in 1830, [[Panama]] remained part of [[Colombia]]. With US backing, [[Panama]] seceded from [[Colombia]] in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the [[Panama]] Canal Zone). To learn more please read [[About Panama]].
 =Hague Convention Information=
+[[Panama]] is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry [[Adoption]] ([http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/overview.php Hague Adoption Convention]). Therefore, all intercountry adoptions between [[Panama]] and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention. To learn more please read about [[Panama and the Hague Convention]].
 =Who Can Adopt=
+[[Adoption]] between the United States and [[Panama]] is governed by the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention. Therefore to [[adopt]] from [[Panama]], you must first be found eligible to [[adopt]] by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/Judicial-Assistance-Country-Information/Panama.html Learn more]. To learn more please read about [[Who Can Adopt from Panama]].
-==Residency==
+=Who Can Be Adopted=
-==Age of Adopting Parents==
+Because [[Panama]] is party to the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention, children from [[Panama]] must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for [[adoption]]. In accordance with the Convention, the Central Authority of [[Panama]] determines whether possibilities for placement of the child in [[Panama]] have been given due consideration. In addition to [[Panama]]'s requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States. To learn more please read about [[Who Can Be Adopted from Panama]].
-==Marriage==
-==Income==
+=How to Adopt=
-==Other==
+==Adoption Authority==
+'''[[Panama]]'s [[Adoption]] Authority'''
-=Who Can Be Adopted=
+[[Panama]]'s central [[adoption]] authority under the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention is the Secretaría Nacional de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (SENNIAF).
-=How to Adopt=
+===The Process===
+Because [[Panama]] is party to the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention, adopting from [[Panama]] 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.
-==    Adoption Authority==
-==The Process==
+'''NOTE:''' If you filed your [[I-600A]] with [[Panama]] 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.  [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/Intercountry-Adoption/Adoption-Process/how-to-adopt/hague-transition-cases.html].
+# Choose an Accredited [[Adoption Service Provider]]
+# Apply to be Found Eligible to [[Adopt]]
+# Be Matched with a Child
+# Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
+# [[Adopt]] the Child in [[Panama]]
+# Bring your Child Home
+To learn more about this process please read [[How to Adopt from Panama]].
 =Traveling Abroad=
@@ Line 54: / Line 75: @@
 '''Applying for Your U.S. Passport'''
-A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Panama. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports.  Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The [https://pptform.state.gov/ Passport Application Wizard] will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print-all in one place.
+A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave [[Panama]]. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports.  Getting or renewing a passport is easy. To learn more please read about [[Traveling Abroad in Panama]].
-'''Obtaining Your Visa'''
+=After Adoption=
-In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation.  To find information about obtaining a visa for Panama, see the Department of State's [http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html Country Specific Information].
+'''What resources are available to assist families after the [[adoption]]?'''
+Many [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] find it important to find support after the [[adoption]]. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.
-'''Staying Safe on Your Trip'''
-Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department is a good place to start.  The Department of State provides [http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html Country Specific Information] for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.
+Here are some good places to start your support group search:
-'''Staying in Touch on Your Trip'''
+[https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_postadoption.cfm Child Welfare Information Gateway]
-When traveling during the [[adoption]] process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there's a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Panama, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.
+[http://www.nacac.org/ North American Council on Adoptable Children]
-=After Adoption=
+[http://www.adoptionservices.org/adoption_support_groups_family/index.htm Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons]
+=Contact Information=
+'''U.S. Embassy in [[Panama]]'''
+Clayton Building #783
+Ave. Demetrio B. Lakas
+[[Panama]] City, Republic of [[Panama]]
+Panama-Visas@state.gov
+'''[[Panama]]'s [[Adoption]] Authority'''
+Secretaria Nacional de la Niñez, Adolescencia y Familia (SENNIAF)
+Plaza Edison
+Avenida Ricardo J. Alfaro
+Segundo Piso
+[[Panama]] City, [[Panama]]
+Tel: 500-6079
+Fax: 500-6075
+Internet: [http://senniaf.100freemb.com/ Panama's Adoption Authority]
+'''Embassy of [[Panama]]'''
+Embassy of the Republic of [[Panama]]
+McGill Terr., NW
+[[Washington]] , DC 20008
+Tel: 202-511-3800
+Fax: 202-483-8413
+[[Panama]] also has consulates in: Mobile, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, Honolulu, Chicago, New Orleans, [[New York]], Cleveland, Philadelphia, Houston, and San Juan.
+'''Office of Children's Issues'''
+U.S. Department of State
+CA/OCS/CI
+SA-17, 9th Floor
+[[Washington]], DC 20522-1709
+Tel: 1-888-407-4747
+E-mail: AskCI@state.gov
+Internet: [http://adoption.state.gov U.S. Department of State]
+'''U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)'''
+For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)
+-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
 ==SOURCE==
-'''Intercountry [[Adoption]], Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information'''
+'''Intercountry [[Adoption]], Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information''' [[adoption]].state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=[[panama]]
 [[Category: International Adoption]]

Difference between revisions of "Adopting from Panama"