LONG-STANDING PROGRAM, open to new families
CHILDREN IN COLOMBIA
Children may have been relinquished, abandoned or have had a termination of parental rights due to abuse or neglect. Children are generally between the ages of 3 months and 15 years at the time of referral. Families in our Heritage Track are eligible to adopt young children with no known needs.
Colombia’s central authority, Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), determines a child’s eligibility for international adoption. The greatest need is for families in all tracks to be open to school-age children, siblings groups and children with identified needs that range from minor/correctable to lifelong.
Host Colombian Children in your home
We partner with Kidsave to help older children from Colombia experience the joys of summer and to help them find permanent, loving, adoptive families through their Summer Miracles Program. Colombian children eligible for adoption stay with host families in designated communities for a 4-5 week summer visit. While the children are here they learn about the U.S. culture, experience life in an American family, and build lasting relationships with caring adults. Children who participate in the program are already eligible for international adoption and generally range in age from 10-14. Some may have siblings.
We are here to help with the required education for hosts, preparing the hosting assessment report and to assist in the adoption process should these children find adoptive families.
Learn More About Becoming a Host FamilyTHE CARE IN COLOMBIA
Children in Colombia are cared for in government-run orphanages, foster care or private adoption homes. Children receive medical care, adequate nutrition and education. As numerous studies have demonstrated, institutional care is not conducive to optimal development, therefore children may experience orphanage-related delays.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Like all international adoption programs, Colombia has its own unique eligibility requirements for adoptive parents. The basic requirements indicate applicants should be between the ages of 25-55 and have no serious physical or mental health concerns. Couples should be married a minimum of two years at the time of home study approval. Singles are eligible to adopt older children and children who have identified needs. Gay and Lesbian applicants welcome. There can be no more than a 45-year age difference between the oldest adoptive parent and the youngest child (additional age restrictions are outlined below). Applicants must be able to travel to Colombia.
To be considered a heritage family, at least one parent must be of Colombian heritage and able to provide a Colombian birth certificate, passport and ID card (cedula). Heritage applicants who are ages 25-45 at the time of child referral are eligible to adopt a child age 0 to 59 months, or a sibling group where the oldest child is under 6 years and 11 months. Heritage applicants who are 46-50 years old are eligible to adopt a single child age 5 years and up or sibling groups in which the oldest child is age 7 years and up.
For non-heritage families, couples and singles who are 25-45 years old at the time of referral are eligible to adopt a single child age 0 through 59 months, or a sibling group where the oldest child is under 6 years and 11 months. Couples who are 46-55 are eligible to adopt a single child age 5 years and up, or sibling groups in which the oldest child is age 7 years and up. Single applicants who are 45-55 years old are eligible to adopt children over the age of 10. Applicants’ ages are considered at the time of child referral.
Additional flexibility regarding age criteria may be available to families adopting a child age 10+ years or sibling groups of 3 or more. Please contact us to discuss your individual eligibility.
THE PROCESS
The first step is to apply and begin the home study process. If you live in MN, Western WI, MD or VA, Children’s Home and LSS can complete your home study. If you live elsewhere, you need to find an agency licensed in your state to complete your home study and we will serve as the primary provider/placing agency. We will then guide you to apply for USCIS approval and compile a dossier that is sent to our representative in Colombia. After dossier approval, we anticipate the wait for referral to be 6-18 months. Recently, families have traveled to Colombia approximately 5-9 weeks after official referral acceptance. Applicants need to travel to Colombia; at least one parent must stay for the duration of the 3-6 week trip. Post-placement reporting is required 3, 9, 15 and 21 months after the adoption date (as indicated on adoption decree/resolution/sentencia).
View Colombia Fees and ExpensesCompare International Programs Side-by-Side Global Family Support
