Dominican Republic Adoptions

The Dominican Republic is a small Caribbean country home to approximately 10 million people, most well-known for its tourism and home to Christopher Columbus’s New World landing in 1492.  Dominican Republic’s land contains many forests, swamps, beaches, and savannas. Once ruled by Spain, Dominican Republic achieved independence in 1884.  While considered one of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean, poverty is still an issue in the rural areas outside the areas of tourism.  The capitol is Santo Domingo.  Dominican Republic is party to The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore, all intercountry adoptions between Dominican Republic and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.  Hague countries have additional safeguards to ensure ethical adoptions and tend to be more stable and predictable in processing adoptions.

  • Both boys and girls are available for adoption; gender preference may be specified.
  • Available children range in age from around 1.5 to 15 years.
  • Sibling groups are available in the Dominican Republic.
  • Children are of Hispanic, Haitian, and bi-racial descent.
  • Children with special needs, including those with known needs ranging from correctable to severe, are available for adoption, including older children, some with and some without correctable to severe special needs (6 and older)

Couples who have been married five years or more can adopt from The Dominican Republic. Both parents must be a minimum of 30 years old and neither spouse may be older than 60 years old. Adoptive parents must also be at least 15 years older than the adopted child.

  1. Submit your application to Nightlight Christian Adoptions.
  2. Begin your adoption home study and submit form I-800A to USCIS.
  3. Begin to assemble your dossier. We will give you detailed instructions.
  4. Once USCIS has approved you to adopt from Dominican Republic, you will receive your I-797C approval notice.
  5. Once your USCIS approval has been received your dossier is translated, registered in Dominican Republic.
  6. You will be added to the list of waiting families and it can take 18-24 months to receive a match from the central authority.
  7. Complete official referral review with Nightlight’s Social Services Department
  8. Upon referral acceptance, Nightlight will begin assisting you with processing of your I-800.
  9. Upon provisional approval of your I-800, Your file is submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Dominican Republic and the Article 5 letter is issued.
  10. Your legal adoption process is completed in Dominican Republic.
  11. You will then travel to Dominican Republic for a period of 1-2 months to meet your child and complete a cohabitation period to begin the finalization process.
  12. The final step is to obtain the US visa for your child, obtain exit approval, meet with the central authority and judge, then return home with your adopted child.
  13. The children reside in orphanages while awaiting adoption.
  14. Dominican Republic adoptions will take approximately 4-6 months to be finalized after a referral is accepted.
  15.  
  • Often these countries require an official referral and bonding trip. You may be required to complete a home study by the country, of the home you will be residing in while completing the bonding Countries vary in this requirement although many require 3-6 months of bonding prior to the court approving a guardianship or adoption.
  • If only guardianship was given by the child’s country, upon arriving back in the U.S. you will need to complete a legal US adoption if your child entered the country under an IR4 VISA and Once you have completed the legal adoption, you can apply for Citizenship for your child. If your child travels home under an IR3 VISA, the child will receive the Certificate of Citizenship within 6-9 weeks after you go through US Immigration when you enter the USA following your adoption.
  • After being matched with a child, adoptive parents are required to make one trip to the Dominican Republic. The trip begins with a 1-week interaction period, followed by a 60-day cohabitation period for adopting a child under 12 years old and a 30-day period for a child over 12. Children with special needs of any age may be approved for the 30-day cohabitation at the judge's discretion. During their stay, adoptive parents are reunited with their child and attend several appointments, including a judicial hearing. These appointments facilitate the child's departure from the country and return to the U.S. with their new family. The total travel duration is approximately 4.5 to 5.5 months. If necessary, one parent may return home after the cohabitation period while the other remains in the country to complete the adoption process.

Nightlight Christian Adoptions is committed to preparing families for the adoption of a child with special needs. We provide pre- and post-adoption education and information regarding medical resources.

Please contact Liana, liana@nightlight.org,  (502) 423-5780 with any questions.

Visit our Waiting Children Page
There are children around the world waiting for a family like yours. Tell us a little about yourself and receive periodic e-mails featuring waiting children.
Visit Now
Start Your Adoption Inquiry Today
Do you have questions about which adoption program is right for you? We have answers. Complete this brief inquiry form. It’s the first step in getting started with your adoption today!
Get Started

To learn more about our Dominican Republic Adoption Program, you may contact us, call our office at (502) 423-5780, or email inquiries to Liana, at liana@nightlight.org.

More Information on Dominican Republic Adoptions

Dominican Republic Adoption Overview and Fees
Dominican Republic U.S. Relations
Intercountry Adoption Information on Dominican Republic

View or Submit
a Family Photo
Talk with our experts:
Donate
© 2024 Nightlight Christian Adoptions | Sitemap