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Adopting from St. Kitts and Nevis
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: cia.gov.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: flickr.com.
Source: flickr.com.
Contents
Hague Convention Information
St. Kitts and Nevis 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 St. Kitts and Nevis did not change.
According to the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis , applicants for adoption must be resident and domiciled in St. Kitts/Nevis. The adoption of a female child by a single male is not permitted unless a family tie exists. In addition, American prospective adoptive parents need to understand that there may be significant differences between the U.S. and St. Kitts/Nevis definitions of "orphan," and that a finding of adoptability by a St. Kitts and Nevis authority will not necessarily mean that the child will be able to immigrate to the United States.
Who Can Adopt
To bring an adopted child to United States from St. Kitts and Nevis, 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 prospective adoptive parents, St. Kitts and Nevis also has the following requirements for prospective adoptive parents:
Residency
Prospective adoptive parents must be resident and domiciled in St. Kitts/Nevis in order to be eligible to adopt a child.
Age of Adopting Parents
Prospective adoptive parents must be at least 25 years old and must be no less than 21 years older than the child to be adopted.
Marriage
None.
Income
None.
Other
The adoption of a female child by a single male is not permitted unless a family tie exists.
Who Can Be Adopted
St. Kitts and Nevis has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in St. Kitts and Nevis 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:
Abandonment Requirements: According to the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis, children do not have to be orphans to be adopted. An orphan is defined as a child who has no biological parents, legal guardians or other persons responsible for his/her maintenance, care, and upbringing. Children do not have to be abandoned for purposes of adoption.
As noted at the beginning of this flyer, these definitions may not always be sufficient to permit the child to immigrate to the United States. Prior to concluding an adoption of a specific child from St. Kitts/Nevis, American citizens should consult with the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, regarding the possible eligibility or ineligibility of that child for a U.S. immigrant visa.
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 St. Kitts and Nevis. 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 St. Kitts and Nevis, 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 St. Kitts and Nevis, 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