Revision as of 20:21, 9 April 2014 (view source) Admin (Talk | contribs) (→‎Hague Convention Information) ← Older edit		Revision as of 20:22, 9 April 2014 (view source) Admin (Talk | contribs) (→‎Who Can Adopt) Newer edit →
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	=Who Can Adopt=		=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.
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		+	In addition to these U.S. requirements for prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]], St. Kitts and Nevis also has the following requirements for prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]]:
	==Residency==		==Residency==
		+
		+	Prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] must be resident and domiciled in St. Kitts/Nevis in order to be eligible to [[adopt]] a child.
	==Age of Adopting Parents==		==Age of Adopting Parents==
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		+	Prospective [[Adoptive Parents|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==		==Marriage==
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		+	None.
	==Income==		==Income==
		+
		+	None.
	==Other==		==Other==
		+	The adoption of a female child by a single male is not permitted unless a family tie exists.
	=Who Can Be Adopted=		=Who Can Be Adopted=

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Revision as of 20:22, 9 April 2014

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

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