How to Adopt from Dominica

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Source: Wikipedia.org.

This page is for steps 1-5 of How to Adopt from Dominica. To learn about step 6 please read How to Adopt from Dominica Part 2.

Adoption Authority

Dominica's Adoption Authority

The Welfare Division is the adoption authority in Dominica. It is part of the Ministry of Community Development and Gender Affairs .

The Process

The process for adopting a child from Dominica generally includes the following steps:

Choose an Adoption Service Provider
Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
Be Matched with a Child
Adopt the Child in Dominica
Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption
Bring Your Child Home

1. Choose an Adoption Service Provider

The first step in adopting a child from Dominica is usually to select a licensed agency in the United States that can help with your adoption. Adoption service providers must be licensed by the U.S. state in which they operate. Learn more about choosing the right adoption service provider.

2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt

To bring an adopted child from Dominica to the United States, you must apply to be found eligible to adopt (Form I-600A) by the U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn how. In addition to meeting the U.S. requirements for adoptive parents, you need to meet the requirements of Dominica as described in the Who Can Adopt section.

3. Be Matched with a Child

If you are eligible to adopt, and a child is available for intercountry adoption, the central adoption authority in Dominica will provide you with a referral to a child. Each family must decide for itself whether or not it will be able to meet the needs of a particular child and provide a permanent family placement for the referred child.

The child must be eligible to be adopted according to Dominica's requirements, as described in the Who Can be Adopted section. The child must also meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. law. Learn more.

4. Adopt the Child (or Gain Legal Custody) in Dominica

The process for finalizing the adoption (or gaining legal custody) in Dominica generally includes the following:

ROLE OF THE ADOPTION AUTHORITY: Parents are not matched to children. An adoption process begins when a child has been identified for adoption. Prospective adoptive parents must submit to the Welfare Division a copy of their home study report and W2 tax form.

TIME FRAME: There is no specified period. A short hearing is required after all requirements are met and all documents are in order.

ADOPTION FEES: Adoption fees vary from lawyer to lawyer but an adoptive parent can expect to pay at least US $700 to $1000 for an adoption, including stamp duty.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: The following are required documents:

1. Petition for Adoption (from country of adoptive parents);

2. Affidavit of support (from country of adoptive parents);

3. Consent of biological parents;

4. Birth certificate of child;

5. Application to appoint Guardian Ad Litem;

6. Guardian Ad Litem Report;

7. Home study report from prospective adoptive parents' country if not a citizen of Dominica and W2 tax forms to be submitted to the Welfare Division;

8. If married a marriage certificate and if one spouse is adopting the consent of the other spouse;

9. Application for Adoption and Draft Adoption Order.

NOTE: Additional documents may be requested. If you are asked to provide proof that a document from the United States is authentic, we can help. Learn how.

5. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption

After you finalize the adoption (or gain legal custody) in Dominica, the U.S Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) MUST determine whether the child is eligible under U.S. law to be adopted (Form I-600). Learn how.

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