part of our east Caribbean program
We can assist with relative/identified-child adoption through Procedural Consultation Services (PCS). Additionally, there is a traditional adoption program whereby families match to children who are Wards of the State in SVG. This program may close to new applicants occasionally, due to the size of the population being served in SVG.
CHILDREN IN svg
Children are generally infant to 8 years of age. Identified children, both relatives and non-relatives, may be adopted. Or, you may choose to be matched with a child who is a Ward of the State. Children are cared for in supervised or private foster homes approved by the Adoption Committee of SVG. The SVG Adoption Committee affirms each child’s legal eligibility for adoption.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Like most international adoption programs, SVG has its own unique eligibility requirements for adoptive parents. Jamaica is open to heterosexual couples and single women. At this time, LGBTQ families are unlikely to be approved. All applicants must be at least 25 years of age. While there is no official maximum age for applicants, those who are 50 years of age or older are assessed on a case-by-case basis. There is typically flexibility for kinship/relative cases. There is no country marriage requirement.
THE PROCESS
You may contact us any time with questions. To begin the paperwork part of your process, please complete our free Application Part 1 so we can get to know a little more about you and your situation. If you are adopting a relative or identified child, please complete this specialized Application Part 1 – Identified Child.
If you are adopting an identified child then we will set up a one-on-one consultation about the SVG adoption process, your individual eligibility and circumstances and your specific designated child/relative situation. If it is recommended that you proceed with international adoption from SVG, you will complete Application Part 2 and being your required education and home study. If you live in MN, MD, VA or W. WI, Children’s Home can complete your home study. If you live elsewhere, you will need to find an agency licensed in your state to complete your home study and we serve as the primary provider.
Families waiting to be matched with a child typically receive a referral within three years. If you are open to a child with moderate or lifelong conditions, you can expect the way time to be shorter.
Your SVG case must be reviewed and recommended for adoption to the Family Courts by the SVG Adoption Committee.
Placement of the child typically occurs 6-9 months after a family’s case file has been submitted to the SVG Adoption Committee. Traditional Program Families typically travel twice to SVG, the first trip is for 2-3 days, and the second trip is approximately a week and a half. Procedural Consult Families who have already met the child/ren they are adopting typically need to travel only once to SVG for a week and a half.
One or Two trips to SVG will be required. If you are adopting a child(ren) who is a Ward of the State (not identified/relative child) you are required to take two trips to SVG. The first trip is to begin bonding and attachment with the child. The second trip will be to complete the child’s immigration process. The SVG Adoption Committee will confirm the length of time required for the first trip, this usually depends on the age of the child and is typically 2-3 business days. If the child is already known to you, the SVG Adoption Committee does not typically require any further visitation, but they reserve the right to do so. Typically, your case attorney in SVG will represent you in family court. To date, the physical presence of the adoptive parents has been viewed, however the judge reserves the right to require adoptive parents be in attendance.
Post Placement reports, completed by a social worker, are required; 3, 6 and 12 months after placement of child(ren). Families may need to submit self-reports annually thereafter until the child reaches 18 years of age.
