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| − | {{#eimage:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Carnival_002_4412.JPG/800px-Carnival_002_4412.JPG|410x579px|thumb|'''Carnival.'''<BR/>Source: Wikipedia.org.}}
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| − | '''4.Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for [[Adoption]]:'''
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| − | After PAPs accept a match with a child, they then apply to the U.S Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for provisional approval to [[adopt]] that particular child (Form I-800). USCIS will determine whether the child is eligible under U.S. law to be [[adopted]] and enter the United States. Learn how.
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| − | Once approved, the child's file will be transferred electronically to the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. A staff member of the U.S. Embassy will contact the PAPs or their ASP to ask for a completed visa application and two photographs of the child. Once received, a Consular Officer will review the child's information and evaluate the child for possible visa ineligibilities.
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| − | If the consular officer determines that the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States, he or she will send a letter (an "Article 5 Letter") to CONANI. PAPs are cautioned not to [[adopt]] or obtain [[custody]] of a child before a U.S. consular officer issues the Article 5 Letter.
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| − | '''''Remember: The Consular Officer will make a final decision about the immigrant visa later in the [[adoption]] process.'''''
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| − | '''5. [[Adopt]] the Child in the [[Dominican Republic]]:'''
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| − | '''''Remember: Before PAPs complete the [[adoption]] or obtain [[guardianship]] of a child in the [[Dominican Republic]], they must have completed the above four steps. Only after completing these steps, can PAPs proceed to finalize the [[adoption]] in the [[Dominican Republic]].'''''
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| − | The process for finalizing the [[adoption]] in the [[Dominican Republic]] generally includes the following:
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| − | *'''Role of The Central Authority:''' After the prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] receive and accept the referral of a child, CONANI reviews the prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]]' file for required documents and, if satisfied, issues a Certificate of Suitability.
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| − | *'''Role of the Dominican Court of Minors (the Court):''' Dominican [[adoption]] law is governed by the Dominican Code of Fundamental Protection and Rights for Children and Adolescents, Law 136-03, Articles 111-167. The Dominican Court of Minors receives the formal, legal application for [[adoption]]. If the application is approved, the Court issues a Final Order of [[Adoption]].
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| − | *'''Role of [[Adoption]] Service Providers:''' The [[Adoption Service Provider|adoption service provider]] (ASP) forwards the prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]]' application to CONANI. The ASP also is responsible for obtaining further permissions from the U.S. and Dominican authorities as well as ensuring that the PAPs are fully versed in the remaining procedures to be completed.
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| − | *'''Time Frame:''' An [[adoption]] can be completed within nine to ten months of U.S. and Dominican requirements being met. It should be noted that many variables can affect the total time it takes to complete the intercountry [[adoption]] of a Dominican child.
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| − | *'''[[Adoption]] Application:''' The prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] initiate contact with CONANI (via their attorney) and begin the process of locating a child who meets the definition of "Convention [[adoptee]]" under both Dominican and U.S. law.
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| − | *'''[[Adoption]] Fees:''' Attorney fees for the [[adoption]] of a Dominican child range from $5,000 to $8,000 USD. All [[adoption]]-related expenses, including court costs and document fees, are included in this estimate. These expenses should have been itemized in the fees and estimated expenses section of the [[adoption]] services contract. [http://adoption.state.gov/adoption_process/how_to_adopt/agencies.php Learn more] about [[Adoption Service Provider|adoption service provider]] responsibilities.
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| − | '''SOCIALIZATION:''' If the PAPs accept the child placement, then the socialization period begins. This is the first contact between the child and prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]].
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| − | ::::1. CONANI and the PAPs sign an act of consent
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| − | ::::2. CONANI issues a certificate of completion of the administrative phase of the [[adoption]] process and refers the case to the Court of Children and Adolescents territorial [[jurisdiction]]. This begins the judicial phase of the [[adoption]] process.
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| − | ::::3. Once the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has approved the PAPs (I-800 approval) CONANI can continue the process and start the period of co-habitation between the PAPs and the candidate for [[adoption]].
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| − | '''THE JUDICIAL PROCESS:'''
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| − | ::::::1. Requests from future [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]] are treated in strict chronological order, starting from the date of entry of the file to the [[Adoption]] Department.
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| − | ::::::2. All documents coming from abroad should be legalized or authenticated by the competent authority, and they should be translated into Spanish by a certified court interpreter.
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| − | ::::::3. Currently, the waiting time for [[records]] that are complete and on the waiting list for [[adoption]] is between two years to two and half years until being assigned to prospective [[Adoptive Parents|adoptive parents]].
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| − | '''NOTE:''' In [[Dominican Republic]], the Law of Minors and Adolescents 136-03 states that only after completing an official [[adoption]] can a child be taken out of [[Dominican Republic]] for purposes of [[International Adoptions|international adoptions]]. Thus, PAPs must complete the full and final [[adoption]] in Dominican courts before the child can be taken to the United States. In essence, there is no such thing as an IH4/IR4 visa for [[Dominican Republic]]. While [[guardianship]] exists for [[domestic]] purposes, it does not exist for intercountry adoptions.
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| − | '''CONTACTS:''' For more information or guidance on the process of [[Adoption]] in [[Dominican Republic]], please contact the Department of Adoptions CONANI (see at bottom of page). In the [[adoption]] services contract that PAPs sign at the beginning of the [[adoption]] process, the ASP shall itemize the fees and estimated expenses related to the [[adoption]] process.
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| − | '''NOTE:''' Additional documents may be requested. If PAPs are asked to provide proof that a document from the United States is authentic, we can help. [http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/checklist.html Learn how].
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| − | Back to [[Adopting from Dominican Republic]]
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