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Difference between revisions of "Adopting from Bahamas, The"

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=Hague Convention Information=
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/bf-lgflag.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''The official flag of The Bahamas'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov}}
  
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/bf-map.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map of The Bahamas'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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The Bahamas is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore, when the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force for the United States on April 1, 2008, intercountry adoption processing for The Bahamas did not change.  
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/locator/cam/bf_large_locator.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map of The Bahamas'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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Bahamian law allows adoption by any person with legal status in The Bahamas (even foreign tourists). However, the number of children available for adoption is very small and the waiting list for prospective adoptive parents is very long. Bahamian citizens or legal permanent residents are generally given preference in adopting children, especially if they have a blood relationship to the child.
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Beachsunsetdog.jpg/800px-Beachsunsetdog.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Sunset on the north part of pink sand beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org}}
  
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=Who Can Adopt=
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{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/photo_gallery/bf/images/BF_006.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''The Bahamas from space.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
  
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/BahamianParliamentPanorama.jpg/800px-BahamianParliamentPanorama.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''The Bahamian Parliament.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
  
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To bring an adopted child to United States from The Bahamas, you must 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.  
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Gold_Rock_Beach_Grand_Bahama_Island.jpg/800px-Gold_Rock_Beach_Grand_Bahama_Island.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Gold Rock Beach Grand Bahama Island.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
  
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In addition to these U.S. requirements for prospective adoptive parents, The Bahamas also has the following requirements for prospective adoptive parents:  
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{{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Coat_of_arms_of_the_Bahamas.svg/490px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_Bahamas.svg.png|410x579px|thumb|'''The official coat of arms for The Bahamas.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
  
  
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==Residency==
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'''Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating [[international]] adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry [[Universal Accreditation Act]].'''
  
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There are no residency requirements for prospective adoptive parents.
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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.
  
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==Age of Adopting Parents==
 
  
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At least one prospective adoptive parent must be at minimum 25 years of age and more than 21 years older than the child except for cases of relative adoption. The Bahamas requires relatives who pursue adoption to be at least 18 years of age.
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=About the Bahamas=
  
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==Marriage==
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Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. To learn more, read [[About Bahamas, The]].
  
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Single people as well as married couples may adopt. According to the laws of The Bahamas it is extremely difficult for single men to adopt girls, though the courts may make exceptions based on special circumstances.
 
  
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==Income==
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=Hague Convention Information=
  
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N/A
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The Bahamas is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry [[Adoption]] (Hague [[Adoption]] Convention). Therefore, when the Hague [[Adoption]] Convention entered into force for the United States on April 1, 2008, intercountry [[adoption]] processing for The Bahamas did not change. To learn more, read about [[The Bahamas and the Hague Convention]]
  
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==Other==
 
  
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N/A
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=Who Can Adopt=
  
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=Who Can Be Adopted=
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To bring an [[adopted]] child to United States from The Bahamas, you must 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). To learn more, read about [[Who Can Adopt from Bahamas, The]].
  
  
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The Bahamas has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in The Bahamas unless he or she meets the requirements outlined below.
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=Who Can Be Adopted=
  
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In addition to these requirements, a child must meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. law for you to bring him or her back to the United States. Learn more about these U.S. requirements.
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The Bahamas has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for [[adoption]]. You cannot [[adopt]] a child in The Bahamas unless he or she meets specific requirements. To learn more, read about [[Who Can Be Adopted from Bahamas, The]]
  
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'''Abandonment Requirements:''' Children may be adopted by foreigners, if they are orphans (both or only known parent deceased), if they have been abandoned (the court must be satisfied that parents cannot be found), or released for adoption by their parents or legal guardian (if the child was born out-of-wedlock, only the mother needs to release the child for adoption).
 
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'''Age Requirements:''' A child must be at least 6 weeks old to be eligible for release for adoption.
 
  
 
=How to Adopt=
 
=How to Adopt=
  
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==Adoption Authority==
  
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==    Adoption Authority==
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The Department of Social Services in the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development is the [[adoption]] authority in The Bahamas. To learn more about this process, please read about [[How to Adopt from Bahamas, The]]
  
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==The Process==
 
  
 
=Traveling Abroad=
 
=Traveling Abroad=
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Learn more about [[Traveling Abroad Bahamas, The]].
  
  
 
=After Adoption=
 
=After Adoption=
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'''What does The Bahamas require of the [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] after the [[adoption]]?'''
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We strongly urge you to comply with the wish of The Bahamas and complete all post-[[adoption]] requirements in a timely manner. Your [[Adoption Agency|adoption agency]] may be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to that country's history of positive experiences with American parents.
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'''What resources are available to assist families after the [[adoption]]?'''
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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.
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Here are some good places to start your support group search:
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[https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_postadoption.cfm Child Welfare Information Gateway]
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[http://www.nacac.org/ North American Council on Adoptable Children]
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'''NOTE:''' Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
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=Contact Information=
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'''U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas'''
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U.S. Embassy Nassau
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42 Queen Street
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Nassau
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Phone: (242) 322-1181
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Fax: (242) 356-7174
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'''The Bahamas' [[Adoption]] Authority'''
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Tel: 242-356-0765
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Fax: 242-323-3883
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'''Embassy of The Bahamas and Consulate in the United States'''
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'''Embassy of The Bahamas'''
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2220 [[Massachusetts]] Ave NW,
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[[Washington]], DC 20008
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Phone: (202) 319-2660
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''The Bahamas also has consulates in Miami and [[New York]].''
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'''Office of Children's Issues'''
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U.S. Department of State 
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CA/OCS/CI 
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SA-17, 9th Floor 
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[[Washington]], DC 20522-1709
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Tel: 1-888-407-4747
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E-mail: AskCI@state.gov
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Web: [http://adoption.state.gov U.S. Department of State]
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'''U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)'''
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For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)
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1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
  
  
 
==SOURCE==
 
==SOURCE==
  
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'''Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information'''
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'''Intercountry [[Adoption]], Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information''' adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=the_bahamas
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[[Category: International Adoption]]

Latest revision as of 01:43, 18 February 2018

The official flag of The Bahamas
Source: cia.gov

Map of The Bahamas
Source: cia.gov.

Map of The Bahamas
Source: cia.gov.

Sunset on the north part of pink sand beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas
Source: Wikipedia.org

The Bahamas from space.
Source: cia.gov.

The Bahamian Parliament.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Gold Rock Beach Grand Bahama Island.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

The official coat of arms for The Bahamas.
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 the Bahamas

Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. To learn more, read About Bahamas, The.


Hague Convention Information

The Bahamas is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore, when the Hague Adoption Convention entered into force for the United States on April 1, 2008, intercountry adoption processing for The Bahamas did not change. To learn more, read about The Bahamas and the Hague Convention


Who Can Adopt

To bring an adopted child to United States from The Bahamas, you must 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). To learn more, read about Who Can Adopt from Bahamas, The.


Who Can Be Adopted

The Bahamas has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in The Bahamas unless he or she meets specific requirements. To learn more, read about Who Can Be Adopted from Bahamas, The


How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

The Department of Social Services in the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development is the adoption authority in The Bahamas. To learn more about this process, please read about How to Adopt from Bahamas, The


Traveling Abroad

Learn more about Traveling Abroad Bahamas, The.


After Adoption

What does The Bahamas require of the adoptive parents after the adoption?

We strongly urge you to comply with the wish of The Bahamas and complete all post-adoption requirements in a timely manner. Your adoption agency may be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to that country's history of positive experiences with American parents.


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


NOTE: Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.


Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in The Bahamas

U.S. Embassy Nassau 42 Queen Street Nassau Phone: (242) 322-1181 Fax: (242) 356-7174


The Bahamas' Adoption Authority Tel: 242-356-0765 Fax: 242-323-3883


Embassy of The Bahamas and Consulate in the United States

Embassy of The Bahamas

2220 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 Phone: (202) 319-2660


The Bahamas also has consulates in Miami and New York.


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 Web: 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=the_bahamas