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Honduras Adoptions
Honduras adoptions - are they possible to complete without an agency?
This was a question posed to me recently by a reader who feels led to adopt and is fortunate enough to have a large and supportive family in Honduras.
While I want to state upfront that I am not a legal expert on international adoptions, I do know it is indeed possible to adopt from many countries without using an adoption agency.
And in fact, the adoption agency we used to adopt our daughter was founded by a couple who adopted independently from South America and then used the knowledge they acquired to later start an agency to help other couples.
Just keep in mind that no one will be there to hold your hand, and you will need to educate yourself on the process.
It also helps to know the language and have local contacts, which this couple does.
Honduras Adoptions
What's Required
To qualify for Honduras adoptions, you must be married for at least three years, and you and your spouse must be between the ages of 25 and 51 years of age.
Children available for adoption are 14 years of age and younger.
Both the American and Honduran governments require that you be approved by USCIS to bring an orphan from another country into the United States, which means you will need to file a petition to classify an orphan as an immediate relative (I-600).
The child must either have no parents or has been freely and irrevocably released for adoption and emigration in writing.
This is one of the first things you should do, as it can take up to a year to get a USCIS approval, so file the petition first and then have your home study done.
Once you have the USCIS approval, you will need to find an attorney in Honduras to file a petition with the Honduras' Adoption Authority, also known as the IHNFA.
According to the Honduran Embassy, here are the documents they require to be approved for Honduras adoptions:
- A copy of both parents' birth certificate along with a marriage license.
- You and every member of your family will need to have a medical exam, and your physician will need to provide a certified letter for each family member stating you are all in good health.
- A certified document stating you have no criminal records.
- A letter from your employers or both employers if you are both employed indicating your position, salary, any seniority and benefits you have.
- A copy of your home study.
- A bank statement showing you have money in savings.
- If you own your home, you will need a certified copy of your title; If you rent your home, you will need a certified copy of your lease or rental agreement.
- Three character references by people in your community, preferably in highly respected positions such as a pastor, college professor, civic leader, etc. with their names and addresses provided.
- Two recent photographs of you and your family and the home you live in, both interior and exterior of your homes.
- A photocopy of you and your spouses' passport.
All of these documents must be translated into Spanish.
You and your spouse will also have to attend a briefing to learn about adoption.
Once you have been found eligible by the IHNFA, then you will be matched with a child.
You adopt the child in Honduras and then apply for a new birth certificate for your child.
Once you have the new birth certificate, you then apply for a Honduras passport, because your child will not be a U.S. citizen until he or she comes into the United States.
You will also need to apply for a U.S. visa from the U.S. Embassy for your child.
Other Helpful Information
The high cost of international adoption is one reason many couples don't adopt. Don't let finances stand between you and your child.
Learn more.
Would you like to adopt from China? Although the wait can be up to two years, the price is very reasonable and the adoption program is stable.
Here are some tips for adopting from China
Many couples are now planning to adopt from Ethiopia because of the shorter wait and the reasonable costs.
Learn more about adopting these beautiful children.
The children available from Kazakhstan are generally well cared for and the program usually takes less than a year.
Learn more about adopting from Kazakhstan.
The Ukraine might be an excellent adoption country choice, especially if you are interested in an older child adoption. Click here to learn more.
Are you wondering what the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions is and how it might affect your international adoption? Learn more.
Adoptions are currently on hold from Guatemala. Learn why.
If you would like to adopt from Russia, it's a great choice if you are older or already have several children in your home. Here are some tips.
Are you thinking about adopting from Korea? You can adopt a baby from Korea, but there are age limits, and recently, the process has been extended to about three years. Learn more.
If Haiti is your adoption country choice, here are some things you should know.
A Jamaica international adoption is an affordable, yet relatively unknown way of building a family. Here's the scoop on adopting from Jamaica.
Unfortunately, if you hoped to adopt from Romania, you will have to look elsewhere. Here is a brief explanation of why international adoptions from Romania are not allowed.
A Russian international adoption can rescue a child from the stigma of being an orphan. Here's what it's like to grow up an orphan in Russia.
Do you have your heart set on adopting a child from Brazil? It is possible, but be prepared for a complicated and sometimes lengthy process.
Read more about it here.
If you feel you can't afford the high agency fees, take heart. The Ukraine may be an excellent adoption country choice for you. You can pursue an independent adoption from the Ukraine.
Learn more here.
Are you interested in pursuing an independent adoption from Kazakhstan? It is possible. Learn some of the steps you will have to take by clicking here.
Adoptions from Nepal are now once again possible. Learn more about it by clicking here.
A Taiwan adoption might not be something you considered when deciding on an international adoption, but adopting from this small island off the mainland coast of China can mean a far shorter wait.
Here's what you need to know about adopting from Taiwan.
If you're looking for an international adoption choice that isn't as expensive, consider some of the low-cost alternatives by clicking here.
The devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010, opened the eyes of the world to the desperate plight of Haitians, including the countless orphans of Haiti.
American citizens especially have been moved to open their homes to these children, but the U.S. State Department is urging these parents to slow down.
Read more.
Corruption and greed brought an end to adoptions from Cambodia, but new laws and regulations are now being established that might one day allow American parents to again adopt from Cambodia.
Learn more.
It is possible to adopt from Honduras without using an agency, but you will need to know the language and have contacts there.
Learn more.
An update to pursuing a Haiti adoption: It is now not only once again possible, but necessary in light of the devastating earthquake in 2010.
Learn more.
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