At Adoption by Shepherd Care, we understand that
researching adoption can be a confusing, overwhelming, and sometimes even
discouraging process. While most would agree that international adoption is a
complicated process, a good agency will walk with you through every step and
allow you to focus on your true goal—bringing a child into your family. In this
information packet, you will find comprehensive information about adopting from
Colombia, and you will gain a clear picture of what the process would look like
for your family. As an agency, Adoption by Shepherd Care is committed to
serving the children of Colombia, and we are grateful for your interest both in
this program and in the lives of these children.
Adoption by Shepherd Care (ASC) was founded in 1980 and
has been operating as a licensed child-placing agency in the State of Florida
since that time. ASC is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency and is accredited by the
Hague Convention and the Council on Accreditation. ASC is licensed in Colombia
through the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), the government entity
that oversees adoptions in the country. Our staff in the U.S. and in Colombia
are experienced, competent, and dedicated to helping families through the
process of adoption.
the children
In Colombia, the need for adoption is great as there
are currently over 9,000 children legally free for adoption and awaiting homes.
Children are available for adoption for a variety of reasons—some were placed in
orphanages at birth due to the mother’s living situation, some were brought into
care as a result of abandonment, and some were removed from their homes because
of the parents’ inability to care for them properly. Adoptions in Colombia take
place through ICBF, and when a child comes into the care of ICBF, all attempts
are made to reunify the child with their birth family or with other family
members prior to the child becoming available for adoption. In light of this,
you can feel confident that for the child you adopt from Colombia, adoption is
the best option for their future.
The children available for adoption are cared for in well-run government orphanages and foster homes. Our experience has shown that, unlike some institutions across the world in which children receive little to no stimulation or human contact, the Colombian orphanage staff members and foster parents make significant efforts to engage with the children and show them love. Certainly this is no substitute for the love and security of a family, but it does provide the child with a basis for forming loving and attached relationships. The age range of available children is from four months to teenage years.
who can adopt?
Applicants to adopt from Colombia should be over 25 years of age and heterosexual, and married couples must be married for a minimum of one year. ICBF utilizes the following guidelines for matching children with adoptive parents:
- Ages 25-38: qualify for a newborn-2 years of age (0-35 months)
- Ages 39-41: qualify for a child 3-4 years of age (36-59 months)
- Ages 42-44: qualify for a child 5-6 years of age (60-83 months)
- Ages 45-55: qualify for a child 7+ years of age
Single female applicants are accepted and must be open to adopting a child seven years of age or older. Colombian female singles are matched on the same age basis as couples (see above). All applicants must be physically, emotionally, and economically capable of supporting the adopted child, areas which will be addressed during the home study evaluation.
overview of process
The first step in the Colombian adoption process is the completion of an orientation, which reviews the entire adoption process in detail. Next, families begin the home study process which involves meetings with a social worker, adoption training, and the gathering and completion of necessary paperwork. This process results in your social worker creating a detailed report on your family’s suitability to adopt, which is known as a home study.
During this time, the family is also responsible for applying for I-800A approval through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This process is required for the adopted child to be able to enter the United States. Several documents including the home study are required with the application to USCIS.
Next, several documents must be gathered, notarized, and apostilled for your Colombia dossier. A dossier is a collection of documents which are sent to a foreign country for their assessment of an adoptive family, and the apostille process refers to state certification of notarized documents. ASC will assist you in the preparation of your dossier so that it meets Colombia’s requirements. When the dossier is complete, it will be sent to our representative in Colombia to be translated and submitted to ICBF for their review and approval.
Upon ICBF’s review of a family’s dossier, the family is notified of their approval and of the age of the child they are approved to adopt. The family will then be placed on a waiting list, awaiting the referral of a child. The current wait times vary greatly depending on the type and age of child the family is hoping to adopt. The wait for a child from zero to two years of age is approximately 3 to 4 years, while the wait for a six to seven year old is approximately 6 months. Wait times are generally shorter for children over 7 years of age and older sibling groups.
When a referral comes for a family, it will include photographs of the child, medical information, and social history information. Upon a family’s acceptance of the referral, some additional documentation must be completed and the family can travel to Colombia to meet their child in approximately six to eight weeks. During their stay, the legal process will be completed and the adoption will be finalized in Colombia. Both parents should plan to stay in Colombia for the first week, and at least one parent must remain in Colombia for two to three weeks thereafter for the legal proceedings to be completed. While in Colombia, ASC’s representative will assist them with arranging housing, transportation and managing the various legal and administrative requirements during their stay there.
Upon the family’s return to the U.S., they are responsible for completing four post adoption reports and for finalizing the adoption process in the U.S. as well. ASC is prepared to assist families with each step in the process, and will be there to provide any support needed upon the family’s return home.
cost of adoption
ASC is a private, nonprofit agency, and our services are financed almost entirely through adoption fees, with some costs offset through donations from individuals and churches. ASC receives no funding from the government or state.
The fees due to ASC for the adoption of a child zero to six years of age are approximately $18,100. Costs are reduced to $12,100 for the adoption of a child seven years of age or older. Costs are also reduced for the adoption of sibling groups.
Please see the fee schedule for more details on fees for our various programs.
Other fees, in addition to those paid to ASC, will be required during the process, and examples of those estimated costs are:
- international home study ($2,000-$3,000)
- post adoption reports ($300-$400 per report)
- USCIS application fees ($670)
- background checks ($200)
- psychologist reports ($400-$600)
- apostilling documents ($200-$400)
- and travel to Colombia ($3,000-$5,000)
More detailed information on fees and the intervals at which they are due will be provided to families during the consultation.
next steps
If you are interested in learning more about adoption from Colombia, we encourage you to attend one of our information meetings (see www.adoptionshepherdcare.com) or call and speak with one of our Colombia program representatives, who will be happy to speak with you about any questions you may have.
The next step in working towards an adoption from Colombia is to schedule a one-on-one Adoption Orientation meeting. In order to do so, please print and complete the attached application, Affidavit of Personal Disclosure, and Adoption Disclosure and mail the documents to our Hollywood office along with the consultation fee of $200. We will then contact you to schedule the orientation either in person or by phone.
Thank you for your interest in Adoption by Shepherd Care, and best to you as you continue your adoption journey.
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