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Adopting from Trinidad and Tobago
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: flickr.com.
Contents
Hague Convention Information
Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago did not change.
Please note: There are two ways of gaining custody of a child from Trinidad and Tobago: obtaining an Adoption Order or legal guardianship.
- Adoption Order: The first option is to go through the adoption process and obtain an Adoption Order. If the prospective adoptive parent(s) is a resident of Trinidad and Tobago, then the Adoption Board acts as the lead agency in the adoption process. (See Adoption Authority Section below for contact information). If the prospective adoptive parent(s) are not residents of Trinidad and Tobago, they must contact an adoption agency that handles intercountry adoption. Since intercountry adoptions are adjudicated through the High Court and not the Adoption Board, prospective adoptive parents are advised to contact an attorney since these are done through the High Court and not handled by the Adoption Board. An Adoption Order issued by the Court carries different rights to the adopting parents than Guardianship/custody Order, in the latter cases, the birth parents still retain parental rights. With an Adoption Order the birth parents are required to relinquish their rights.
- Legal Guardianship: The second option is to seek legal guardianship of a child from the courts in Trinidad and Tobago for the purpose of adopting the child in the United States. While considerably less burdensome than seeking a formal adoption in Trinidad and Tobago, prospective parents need to keep in mind that legal guardianship is not as secure as an adoption order. Legal guardianship does not provide full parental rights to the adopting party. Legal guardianship is also vulnerable to revocation by the courts if the biological parents or other relatives subsequently petition the courts for a change of guardianship.
Who Can Adopt
To bring an adopted child to United States from Trinidad and Tobago, 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.
In addition to these U.S. requirements for adoptive parents, Trinidad and Tobago also has the following requirements for adoptive parents:
Residency
Applicant(s) for Adoption Orders should be residents of Trinidad and Tobago and must have residential status proof from Trinidadian immigration authority in order to establish residency. Foreigners may apply to the High Court for an Adoption Order for a child born in Trinidad, Orders are granted in certain limited circumstances as outlined in Adoption of Children Act 2000. This act was amended with an updated definition of the word "court" in 2003.
Age of Adopting Parents
The adoptive parent(s) must be at least 25 years old and 21 years older than the child they are adopting. Individuals seeking legal guardianship must be at least 25 years old and there is no specification as to an age difference between the guardian and the child.
Marriage
The government of Trinidad and Tobago allows married couples and single women to adopt. Single men may not adopt. A married couple or unmarried individuals, either male or female, are allowed to gain legal guardianship.
Income
None.
Other
First preference is given to citizens/nationals of Trinidad and Tobago to adopt a child.
Who Can Be Adopted
Trinidad and Tobago has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in Trinidad and Tobago unless he or she meets the requirements outlined below.
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.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Relinquishment Requirements: The adoption board confirms consent of the birth parent(s) or current guardian(s) to relinquish custody of the child.
Abandonment Requirements: If the child is orphaned due to the death of the birth parent(s), the official death certificate of the parent(s) must be provided.
Waiting Period: Adoption in Trinidad and Tobago includes a probationary period, during which the prospective adoptive parents are granted temporary custody and the Adoption Board keeps close supervision of the child and monitors the child's reactions to the new family.
How to Adopt
Adoption Authority
The Process
Traveling Abroad
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Trinidad and Tobago. 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 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.
Obtaining Your Visa
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 Trinidad and Tobago, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.
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 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.
Staying in Touch on Your Trip
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 Trinidad and Tobago, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you. Registration is free and can be done online.
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
SOURCE
Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information