INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION


DOMINICA


April 2008


Disclaimer: The following is intended as a general guide to assist U.S. citizens who plan to adopt a child from a foreign country.  Three sets of laws are particularly relevant: 1) the laws of the child’s country of birth govern all activity in that country including the eligibility of individual children for adoption, as well as the adoption of children in that country in general; 2) the laws of the adoptive parents’ state of residence establish qualifications they must meet in order to adopt; and 3) U.S. immigration law governs the immigration of the child to the United States.  In addition, the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, to which the United States became a party on April 1, 2008, establishes legal and regulatory requirements for intercountry adoption. 

The adoption of children from countries that are party to the Hague Convention must follow the procedures outlined by the Convention, and its U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA).  More information on the IAA and the Convention can be found at travel.state.gov on the Children and Family pages on intercounry adoption.

The information in this flyer relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is based on public sources and our current understanding.  It does not necessarily reflect the actual state of the laws of a child’s country of birth and is provided for general information only.  Moreover, U.S. immigration law, including regulations and interpretation, changes from time to time.  This flyer reflects our current understanding of the law as of this date and is not legally authoritative.  Questions involving foreign and U.S. immigration laws and legal interpretation should be addressed respectively to qualified foreign or U.S. legal counsel.


THE HAGUE CONVENTION ON INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION:

 Dominica is not a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Convention).  Therefore the entering into force of the Convention for the United States on April 1, 2008, will not change intercountry adoption processing for Dominica .


PATTERNS OF IMMIGRATION OF ADOPTED ORPHANS:  Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans from Dominica :

Fiscal Year

Number of Immigrant Visas Issued

FY 2007

0

FY 2006

3

FY 2005

4

FY 2004

2

FY 2003

1

 

ADOPTION AUTHORITY IN Dominica :   The Welfare Division is the adoption authority in Dominica .  It is part of the Ministry of Community Development and Gender Affairs.   The address is:

Welfare Division
Government Head Quarters
Roseau, Dominica . 
Telephone: 767-448-2401 extensions 3019, 3020, 3334 or 3254.


ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS:   Adoptive parents should not be under the age of twenty-five (25) years old.  The adopting parent(s) should be employed or have means of supporting the child. There is no specific income requirement.  The adopting parent(s) should submit a home study report from the appropriate office of his/her home country.


RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS:  The Dominica government has no specific residency requirements for prospective adoptive parents.


TIME FRAME:   There is no specified period.  A short hearing is required after all requirements are met and all documents are in order.


ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS:  Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services.  For U.S.-based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adoptive parents contact the Better Business Bureau and/or the licensing authority in the U.S. state where the agency is located or licensed.  Please also see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs web site travel.state.gov .


ADOPTION FEES IN DOMINICA: The U.S. Embassy in Barbados discourages the payment of any fees that are not properly receipted, “donations,” or “expediting” fees, that may be requested from prospective adoptive parents.  Such fees have the appearance of “buying” a baby and put all future adoptions in Dominica at risk.

Adoption fees vary from lawyer to lawyer but an adoptive parent can expect to pay at least US $700 to $1000 for an adoption, including stamp duty.


ADOPTION PROCEDURES:   Parents are not matched to children.  An adoption process begins when a child has been identified for adoption.  Prospective adoptive parents must submit to the Welfare Division a copy of their home study report and W2 tax form.


DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION IN DOMINICA :

  • Petition for Adoption (from country of adoptive parents)
  • Affidavit of support (from country of adoptive parents)
  • Consent of biological parents
  • Birth certificate of child        
  • Application to appoint Guardian Ad Litem
  • Guardian Ad Litem Report
  • Home study report from prospective adoptive parents’ country if not a citizen of Dominica and W2 tax forms to be submitted to the Welfare Division
  • If married a marriage certificate and if one spouse is adopting the consent of the other spouse
  • Application for Adoption and Draft Adoption Order

 

AUTHENTICATING U.S. DOCUMENTS TO BE USED ABROAD:  For more information on authenticating U.S. documents to be used abroad, please see the Judicial Assistance section of our website.


 DOMINICA   EMBASSY AND CONSULATES IN THE UNITED STATES:

Embassy of Dominica
 3216 New Mexico Avenue, NW
 Washington, DC 20016
Telephone: (202) 364-6781
Fax: (202) 364-6791

Consulate General of Dominica in New York :

E-mail: Embdomdc@aol.com


U.S IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS:Prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service publication The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children, as well as the Department of State publication, International Adoptions.  Before completing an adoption abroad, prospective adoptive parents are strongly encouraged to read the requirements for filing Form I-600A, Petition to Classify Orphan as Immediate Relative and Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative in the State Department flyer “How Can Adopted Children Come to the United States .”

Parents who do not have an approved I-600A must file their Form I-600 (Petition t Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative) with the USCIS office having jurisdiction over their place of residence in the United States . In general, a parent who has an approved I-600A may file Form I-600 either in the U.S. or at a USCIS office in the country where the immigrant visa will be issued.   If there is no USCIS office in that country, the I-600 may be filed with the consular section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the adoption case is being processed.


APPLYING FOR A VISA AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN BARBADOS :  The United States does not have an embassy in Dominica .  The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados covers Dominica and processes immigrant visa cases for residents of Dominica .  The Embassy requests that prospective adoptive parents contact them directly as soon as they have received their approved I-600A or I-600 from the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Upon receipt of the approved I-600A, I-600, telegraphic or faxed approval from the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Embassy will send the prospective adoptive parent (also known as the “petitioner”) instructions on how to apply for the child’s U.S. immigrant visa.  Once the petitioner has completed several forms, the U.S. Embassy will schedule an appointment and mail the petitioner a letter confirming the appointment.  The petitioner can also call the U.S. Embassy at 246-431-0225 and request an appointment to coincide with their visit to the island to complete the adoption.  Appointments may also be requested via e-mail at:  ConsularBridge2@state.gov.

At the time of the visa interview, the prospective adoptive parents must present the following documents:

  • The child’s certified adoption certificate from Dominica ;
  • Court documents;
  • Release documents from the biological parent(s), if any;
  • Child’s valid passport from Dominica ;
  • Four (4) full-face color photographs (2 x 2 on white background);
  • Medical examination (instructions will be given to the adoptive parents); and
  • Visa fee.  

If the Embassy is not in possession of the approved I-600 petition or confirmation from USCIS, the petitioners must present a copy of their home study and evidence of support.  If the petitioner has all the required documents and the applicant seems otherwise eligible under U.S. immigration law, the visa can be issued the day following the application.

Prospective adoptive parents should expect that they and their adoptive child will have to remain in Barbados for at least two days, as the visa process requires processing time. 

Note: Visa issuance after the final interview now generally takes at least 24 hours and it will not normally be possible to provide the visa to adoptive parents on the day of the interview.  Adoptive parents should verify current processing times at the appropriate consulate or embassy before making final travel arrangements.


U.S. Embassy Accredited to Dominica :  As mentioned above, there is no U.S. Embassy in Dominica .  However, as soon as prospective adoptive parents know they will be visiting and adopting in Dominica, they should register their presence with the U.S. Embassy in Barbados by registering on-line, at:  https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/.

The U.S. Embassy in Barbados is located at:

U.S. Embassy
 Wildey Business Park
Wildey
St. Michael, BB 14006
 Barbados , W.I.
Phone: 246-431-0225

The mailing address is:

 U.S. Embassy
 P.O. Box 302
Bridgetown BB  11000
 Bridgetown , Barbados

Phone: 246-431-0225
Fax: 246-431-0179


ACQUIRING U.S. CITIZENSHIP:  Please see the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 for further information on acquisition of U.S. citizenship for adopted children.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Citizens Services - For information on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction, and security information for U.S. citizens traveling abroad, call Toll Free 1-888-407-4747. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST/EDT, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-202-501-4444.
  • U.S. Department of State Visa Office - For information on immigrant visas for adopted orphans, call (202) 663-1225. Press 1 for additional information on visas, and press 0 to speak to a Visa Information Officer, available 8:30 a.m.  - 5:00 p.m. EST/EDT, Monday through Friday (except Wednesdays 11 a.m. - 12:00 noon)
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - recorded information for requesting immigrant visa application forms, 1-800-870-FORM (3676).
  • National Visa Center (NVC) Public Inquiries (603) 334-0700, Email: nvcinquiry@state.gov.
  • Country Specific Information - The State Department has general information about hiring a foreign attorney and authenticating documents that may supplement the country-specific information provided in this flyer. In addition, the State Department publishes Country Specific Information for every country in the world, providing information such as location of the U.S. Embassy, health conditions, political situations, and crime reports. If the situation in a country poses a specific threat to the safety and security of American citizens that is not addressed in the CSI for that country, the State Department may issue a Travel Alert alerting U.S. citizens to local security situations. If conditions in a country are sufficiently serious, the State Department may issue a Travel Warning recommending that U.S. citizens avoid traveling to that country. These documents are available on the Internet at travel.state.gov or by calling the State Department's Office of Overseas Citizen Services Toll Free at 1-888-407-4747. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours.
  • USCIS web site