Adopting From Belize: A Step-By-Step Guide

Adopting a child from Belize requires complying with the country's laws and the Hague Adoption Convention, to which Belize is a party. The process is designed to meet the Convention's requirements and involves specific steps that must be completed in a particular order. The first step is to select an accredited or approved adoption service provider in the United States, as only these agencies and attorneys can facilitate adoptions between the two countries. Prospective parents must then apply to be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government, specifically the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This involves submitting Form I-800A, which includes a home study, biometrics, and a background check. Once approved by the U.S., the prospective parents' information is forwarded to Belize's adoption authority, the Belize Department of Human Services, which reviews the application under Belize's adoption laws. If both countries determine the parents are eligible, the central adoption authority in Belize may refer a child.

Eligibility requirements

To adopt a child from Belize, prospective parents must meet the eligibility requirements of both the United States and Belize. Here are the key eligibility requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: To bring an adopted child from Belize to the United States, you must be a U.S. citizen.
• Age Requirements: If you are unmarried, you must be at least 25 years old.
• Marital Status: If you are married, both spouses must jointly adopt the child, even if separated but not divorced. The spouse must also be a U.S. citizen or have legal status in the United States.
• Suitability as a Prospective Adoptive Parent: Prospective adoptive parents must meet specific requirements, including criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and a home study.
• State-Specific Requirements: In addition to federal requirements, prospective adoptive parents must also meet the requirements of their home state for adopting parents. These requirements vary by state and can be found on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website.
• Belizean Adoption Law: Non-Belizean citizens wishing to adopt a Belizean child must comply with Sections 137 and 141 of Belizean Adoption Law, which outline the requirements for international adoptions.
• Minimum Residency: Belizean law requires non-Belizean prospective adoptive parents to reside in Belize with the child for a minimum of 12 months before a final adoption order can be issued. This residency period allows for the assessment of the parent-child relationship by a social worker.
• Age of Adopting Parents: At least one of the prospective adoptive parents must be a minimum of 25 years old and no fewer than 12 years older than the child. While there is no maximum age limit, it is recommended that a guardian be appointed if the adoptive parent(s) are elderly.
• Marital Status: Both married and single individuals can adopt in Belize. However, single men cannot adopt female children unless special circumstances are determined by the Supreme Court of Belize.
• Income Requirements: There are no specific income requirements for prospective adoptive parents in Belize.
• Child's Citizenship: Belizean law permits only the adoption of children who are citizens of Belize. Non-Belizean children cannot be adopted in Belizean courts, but the courts can issue custody orders for any child residing in the country.
• Relinquishment and Abandonment: Under Belizean law, birth parents' or legal guardians' consents become irrevocable once a provisional adoption order is issued. The Belize Department of Human Services determines if a child has been legally abandoned and is available for adoption.
• Age of Adoptive Child: There are no specific minimum or maximum age requirements for the adoptive child in Belize. However, for the child to be considered a Convention Adoptee under U.S. immigration law, the adoption process must be initiated before the child turns 16 (or 18 if they have a birth sibling who meets the age and other adoption requirements).
• Sibling Adoptions: There are no specific provisions or restrictions for adopting siblings in Belize.
• Disabilities or Medical Conditions: Belize does not have specific provisions for the adoption of children with special needs or medical conditions.
• Waiting Period or Foster Care: Belizean law mandates a one-year probationary period of custody before finalizing an international adoption. This period can be completed in Belize or the adoptive parents' country of residence, with authorization from the Supreme Court of Belize.

Choosing an accredited adoption service provider

The first step in adopting a child from Belize is to select an adoption service provider in the United States that has been accredited or approved to provide intercountry adoption services to US citizens. A primary provider must be identified in each Convention case and only accredited or approved adoption service providers may act as the primary provider in your case. Your primary provider will be responsible for:

• Ensuring that all six adoption services are provided consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
• Supervising and being responsible for any supervised providers, and otherwise complying with the requirements regarding the provision of adoption services using other providers.
• Developing and implementing a service plan.

For more information on primary providers, please see the Universal Accreditation Act of 2012. You can also learn more about Agency Accreditation.

Note: The Supreme Court of Belize has jurisdiction over intercountry adoptions and requires a local attorney authorized to present cases to the court. A list of local attorneys can be found on the US Embassy website.

When choosing an accredited adoption service provider, prospective adoptive parents should fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For US-based agencies, prospective adoptive parents may wish to contact the Better Business Bureau and/or the licensing authority in the US state where the agency is located or licensed.

Matching with a child

If both the United States and Belize determine that you are eligible to adopt, and a child is available for intercountry adoption, the central adoption authority in Belize may provide you with a referral for a child. The referral is a proposed match between you and a specific child based on a review of your dossier and the needs of the child. The adoption authority in Belize will provide a background study and other information, if available, about the child to help you decide whether to accept the referral.

You must decide for yourself whether you will be able to meet the needs of, and provide a permanent home for, a specific child. You must also adhere to the recommendations in the home study submitted to USCIS with respect to the number of children and capacity to deal with any special needs of an adoptive child.

If you accept the referral, the adoption service provider communicates that to the Central Authority in Belize.

Additional Considerations

• A child who is not a Belizean citizen cannot be the subject of an adoption in a Belizean court, although Belizean courts can issue custody for any child residing in Belize.
• The processing time for adoptions can vary, depending on the circumstances of the case. "Ward adoptions" (children in the custody of the Department of Human Services) can take up to one year or more to process because of the need for home study reports, matching, placement, and legal proceedings. For children not in the custody of the Belize Department of Human Services, the processing time can be shorter. If the prospective adoptive parents request a specific child, the matching and placement determination can take less time. These adoption proceedings take from 3 months to one year.

Application process

The process of adopting a child from Belize involves several steps, and it is important to follow the specific requirements of both the country and the United States, as an adopting parent. Here is a detailed outline of the application process:

• Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider: Select an accredited or approved adoption service provider in the United States that has experience with intercountry adoptions. This provider will act as your primary provider and guide you through the process. They will help ensure that all necessary adoption services are provided and facilitate communication with the relevant authorities.
• Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt: Submit Form I-800A, "Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country," to the U.S. Government's Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This step involves a home study, background checks, and biometrics to determine your suitability and eligibility to adopt under U.S. immigration law.
• Be Matched with a Child: Once you are determined to be eligible to adopt by both the United States and Belize, the central adoption authority in Belize, the Belize Department of Human Services, will match you with a child. This process involves considering the needs of the child and your capabilities as prospective parents. It is important to note that only Belizean citizens can be adopted by foreign parents, and the Belizean authorities will first seek to place the child with a family within the country.
• Apply for Provisional Approval for the Child's Immigration to the United States: Submit Form I-800, "Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative," to USCIS. This step seeks provisional approval for the child to immigrate to the United States, and USCIS will determine if the child meets the definition of a Convention Adoptee under U.S. immigration law.
• Apply for an Immigrant Visa for the Child: After receiving provisional approval, submit a visa application to the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, Belize. This step involves providing various documents, including the child's birth certificate, photos, and a medical examination report. The consular officer will review the application and make a final decision about the child's eligibility for an immigrant visa.
• Finalize the Adoption in Belize or Obtain Legal Custody: Before finalising the adoption, ensure that you have completed all the previous steps. The process of finalising the adoption in Belize involves the Belize Central Authority and the Supreme Court of Belize. The Supreme Court may issue a provisional adoption order, giving you custody of the child for a probationary period, typically one year, during which quarterly reports on the child's care and progress must be submitted.
• Bringing Your Child Home: After finalising the adoption or obtaining legal custody, there are a few more steps. You will need to obtain a birth certificate or adoption certificate, a Belizean passport for the child, and a U.S. immigrant visa from the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan. These documents will allow your child to travel to the United States with you.
• Post-Adoption Requirements: Comply with Belize's post-adoption requirements, including submitting quarterly reports on the child's progress for the first 12 months. This contributes to maintaining positive experiences with American adoptive parents.

It is important to note that the process can vary depending on the circumstances of each case, and you should always refer to official government sources for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Adoption finalisation

The finalisation of an adoption in Belize involves several steps and requirements that must be completed in a specific order to meet the necessary legal requirements. Here is an overview of the process:

• Role of the Adoption Authority: The Belize Central Authority, the Belize Department of Human Services, processes the adoption application. Once approved, the dossier is forwarded to the Supreme Court of Belize.
• Role of the Court: The Supreme Court of Belize determines the adoptability of the child and issues the final adoption decree. Typically, the court will issue a provisional adoption order, giving custody of the child to the applicant for a probationary period of up to two years. During this time, quarterly reports on the child's care and progress must be submitted to the court.
• Consent and Revocation: All consents required for a final adoption order are also necessary for a provisional adoption order. Under Belizean law, consents provided by birth parents or legal guardians become irrevocable upon issuance of a provisional adoption order. Once entered with the court, only the court itself may revoke the consent.
• Probationary Period: The probationary period, usually one year, allows the prospective adoptive parents to develop a relationship with the child under the supervision of a social worker. This period can be completed in Belize or, with authorisation from the Supreme Court of Belize, in the adoptive parents' country of residence.
• Final Adoption Decree: After fulfilling the probationary period, the Supreme Court of Belize will issue a final adoption decree. This step may be completed in Belize or the adoptive parents' home state, depending on the circumstances.
• Adoption Service Providers: International adoptions require the services of a local attorney authorised to present cases to the Supreme Court of Belize. There are no approved adoption service providers in Belize, so prospective parents must engage the services of a local attorney.
• Time Frame and Fees: The processing time for adoptions can vary depending on the circumstances. Attorney fees for adoption services in Belize typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 USD. Prospective parents should be cautious of any additional fees, especially "donations" or "expediting fees," as these may create the appearance of "buying" a child and jeopardise future adoptions in Belize.
• Required Documents: The Belize Human Services Department requires specific documents, including a valid police certificate, an approved home study, and proof of home government approval to adopt (for U.S. citizens, this is an approved I-800 or I-800A). Additional documents may also be requested.
• Birth Certificate and Passport: After the adoption is finalised, apply for a birth certificate and passport for the child. Contact the Belize Vital Statistics Unit and the Belize Immigration and Nationality Department for the necessary procedures.
• U.S. Immigrant Visa: To bring the child to the United States, apply for a U.S. immigrant visa from the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan. This process includes providing the consular officer with the required documents, such as the Panel Physician's medical report and the child's original civil documents.

It is important to note that the above steps outline the general process for adoption finalisation in Belize. However, each case is unique, and specific requirements or variations may apply. It is essential to consult with the relevant authorities and seek professional legal advice throughout the adoption process.

Frequently asked questions