Factsheet

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IN THIS CIRCULAR RELATING TO THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN COUNTRIES IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN COUNSEL.

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 licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located.

GENERAL: While the Dominican Republic permits adoptions by foreigners, the process is difficult and time-consuming. New changes to the child custody law require adoptive parents to reside in the Dominican Republic at least 90 days (and in some cases longer) while the Oversight Agency of the System for the Protection of Children and Adolescents reviews their case. In cases where the Dominican Republic has already declared a child abandoned, adoptive parents may be given legal guardianship with the intent of adoption in the United States. A child may only be removed from the Dominican Republic after the adoption has been granted by the Dominican court if the adopting parents present a U.S. immigrant visa to the Dominican Attorney General, who then provides an exit authorization letter.

AVAILABILITY OF CHILDREN FOR ADOPTION: Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans:

FY - 1995: IR-3 Immigrant Visas Issued to Dominican Orphans Adopted Abroad - 10
IR-4 Immigrant Visas Issued to Dominican Orphans Adoption in U.S. - 5
FY - 1996: IR-3 Visas - 11, IR-4 Visas - 2
FY - 1997: IR-3 Visas - 18, IR-4 Visas - 1
FY -1998: IR-3 Visas - 139, IR-4 Visas - 1
FY -1999: IR-3 Visas - 8, IR-4 Visas - 2

DOMINICAN ADOPTION AUTHORITY:

The Oversight Agency of the System for the Protection of Children and Adolescents is the government agency responsible for overseeing adoptions in the Dominican Republic. Their main office is located at Calle Moises Garcia No.7 esq. Calle Galvan, Ensanche Gazcue, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, tel: (809) 685-9257. Inquiries should be in the Spanish language.

DOMINICAN ADOPTION LAW:

Adoption is governed by Articles 27 through 96 of the Código para La Protección de Niños, Niñas, y Adolescentes - Ley 14-94. (Code for the Protection of Children and Adolescents - Law 14-94.)

Credits: U.S. Department of State