:: Adoptions
 
The focus of our business is assisting North American and European prospective parents and adoption agencies with the adoption of Colombian children (boys and girls) from a Colombian orphanage or from the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar - ICBF). The following outlines the major components of the adoption process.
 
:: Adoption Process
 

Prepare Adoption Request Letter which specifies:

  • Colombian attorney to represent family in Colombian acourts and with Colombian government agencies.
  • Adoption Agency
  • Certifications
  • Powers of Attorney

Compiling Dossier containing forms and documents

Prepare a Petition to Adopt: I-600A

Visit to Colombia and interview with parents

Court visit and completion of judicial process
 
   
 
:: Age Criteria for Parents and Children  
 

The Colombian adoption law requires that at least one of the adopting parents be over 25 years of age.

  • Couple married four years and under 35 years old may adopt children six months to two years old.
  • Couples 36 to 45 years old may adopt a child 3 to 7 years old.
  • Couples 46 to 50 years old may adopt a child age 8 years old and older.
  • Single woman may only adopt a special needs child.
  • One divorce each is permitted for each adoptive parent.
  
   
     
 
 
:: Adoption Time Lines
 
The Colombian Government has stated that their target time for the adoption process from receipt of adoption documentation to approval of adoption is 6 months. However, adopting parents should be prepared for the entire adoption process to last 18 to 24 months.
 
:: Adoption Costs
 

Agency fees

Attorney fees

Communication and Translation costs

Room and Board expenses

Other expenses

    
Additional information is available from the US State Department Internet site at:

http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/adoption_485.html

FEES

Consultation (2 hours) by phone, e-mail or in person on any topics of interest is offered at a cost of $20.

 

- 1 day (5 hours) of personal assistance is offered at a cost of $50.

- 2 consecutive days (5 hours per day for a total of 10 hours) of personal assistance is offered at a cost of $95.

- 3 consecutive days (5 hours a day for a total of 15 hours) of personal assistance is offered at a cost of $135.

- 4 consecutive days (5 hours a day for a total of 20 hours) of personal assistance is offered at a cost of $170.

- 5 consecutive days (5 hours a day for a total of 25 hours) of personal assistance is offered at a cost of $200.
 
       
   
 
 
       
 
       
FEES AND PAYMENT

       
For Adoption services, there is a monthly record keeping and client fee of $100. Monthly fees are payable at the beginning of each calendar month. This monthly fee is non refundable. Adopting parents are required to maintain on deposit a retainer of at least $500 for personal assistance services. (Maintaining a retainer account balance of $1000 or more is recommended to ensure uninterrupted support.) Unused retainers are refundable in full upon receipt of written request from the adopting parents