How to Adopt a Child From Haiti

International adoption is an option for many prospective adoptive parents, but deciding to adopt internationally means knowing what to expect. Adopting a child from Haiti can take as long as two years or more, as it's an extremely complicated process. As a result, you must be absolutely certain you are willing and able to handle such a long wait.

Things You'll Need

• Dossier
• Haitian passport
• Documents for immigrant visa interview

Instructions

1. Select an adoption agency in the United States. Research the adoption agency thoroughly by checking with the Better Business Bureau to ensure you're dealing with a reputable organization.

2. Put together a complete dossier with specific documents, including a statement of intent, three photos of each adoptive parent, birth certificates, marriage certificate (if applicable), two reference letters, the results of a physical examination and financial statements.

3. Contact the justice of the peace when you've found a child you want to adopt. You must contact the justice of the peace in the child's jurisdiction to obtain a release form from the child's legal guardian or parent.

4. Provide your complete dossier to the Institut du Bien Etre Social et de Recherches, most commonly referred to as the IBESR. Once you've submitted your dossier, be prepared to wait, because this is generally the longest step of the entire adoption process.

5. Wait for approval. If your adoption is approved, you will be given an authorization of adoption.

6. Go to Haiti to present the authorization of adoption to the court in the jurisdiction in which your new child lives. The adoption will be finalized at the court when you, or your representative, is presented with a copy of the Adoption Act.

7. Apply for a passport for your new child. You, or your representative, must apply for a Haitian passport for your new family member so she can leave Haiti and enter the United States. It generally takes between two and three months for the passport application to be processed after the adoption has been finalized.

8. Comply with U.S. requirements for issuing an immigrant visa. In addition to having an I-600 petition approved, your child must undergo a medical examination at your expense.

9. Provide the U.S. Embassy with required documentation during the immigrant visa interview, including your child's Haitian passport, birth certificate, authorization of adoption, Act of Adoption and two identification photos.

Tips & Warnings

• Married couples are eligible to adopt from Haiti provided they meet certain conditions: One spouse must be 35 or older. If one spouse is younger than 35, the couple must have no biological children and must have been married for a minimum of 10 years.

• Single individuals are allowed to adopt.

• You are not required by U.S. law to go to Haiti during the adoption process. However, the Haitian government may require you to appear in Haiti during the process.

• Generally, adoptive parents pay about $3,000 for the adoption. That number can fluctuate depending on the circumstances.