services for colombian adoptees and their families
We are happy to provide Colombian post adoption services to adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents whose adoptions were completed by Children’s Home or LSS.
Once an adoption has been completed in Colombia, all adoption records are centrally located at the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) regardless of which Colombian agency/home was involved in the adoption. Due to the location of the files, post adoption requests are no longer handled directly by the private Colombian adoption agencies/homes.
Most requests for services can be instigated by direct contact with ICBF (see information below). Children’s Home Society and LSS work with our in-country representatives to assist families who wish to obtain a notarized birth certificate or copies of documents from their local agency file.
birth family searches & document copy requests
ICBF requires all birth family searches and requests for copies of adoption file documents be initiated by the adopted person 18 years or older, or parents of an adopted minor. Children’s Home and LSS are not able to act as intermediaries with ICBF. Services from ICBF are free.
Visit the ICBF website to initiate search services.
u.s. document copies, update checks & other special requests
Adopted adults, birth parents, adoptive parents or other family members are able to request that their local agency file be checked for updates or requests for contact from other individuals connected to the adoption. Requests for allowable file copies and specific requests, such as information about naturalization are also honored.
obtaining a notarized colombian birth certificate
Requests for Colombian birth certificates are made to the notaries identified on the original birth certificate and not to ICBF. We can help you to obtain a Colombian birth certificate, additional fees for this service vary depending on notary fees, location of notary and number of copies requested.
arranging an orphanage visit
Adopted adults and parents of adopted minors can request Children’s Home and LSS to help facilitate a visit to their Colombian orphanage. Our staff will provide you with pre-travel counseling and support and will communicate directly with our in-country representative to make arrangements. Rush fees will apply for requests made within 15-30 days of travel. All requests must be made a minimum of two weeks prior to travel.
To get started with any of these services, complete the packet below or contact us at pas@chlss.org or 651.255.2371.
Colombia Service Packet
