Most families complete their home study and prepare their dossier in 2 to 3 months. Once your dossier is submitted for translation, a referral is given within 2-4 weeks. Parents specify the criteria the orphanage will use in selecting their child. The orphanage selects a child and then sends photos, medical information and the child’s story to the agency. Families are asked to give the referral careful consideration. If they accept the referral, they are asked to sign an acceptance letter. If they decline, another referral will be made within a month.

ICF provides complete instructions with respect to the dossier document requirements and will advise your home study social worker as to the composition of a home study for Haiti adoption.

Once prospective parents have their dossier submitted to Haiti, it takes approximately 10-20 months to complete the adoption; timeframes are difficult to predict and delays due to legal or political problems are not uncommon, in Haiti or any country of adoption.

The adoption is finalized before the parents travel. If you choose to travel to Haiti to visit with your child before the adoption is finalized, your child will come to the US on an IR-3 Visa, which confers automatic citizenship. If you meet your child after the adoption is final, your child will come home on an IR-4 Visa, which requires that you apply for your child’s citizenship after your child is home in the US.

Parents may be required to travel to Haiti to complete the adoption. We suggest that both parents travel if possible, as it provides a special bonding time with your child. Most parents consider their travel to Haiti a unique and culturally enriching experience and try to take as much home with them as possible.

Special Note regarding Medical Information: Many people express concern about the possibility of their child having AIDS or being HIV positive. The best lab in Haiti carefully screens each child before they are accepted into the orphanage. The children are screened for HIV, Hepatitis B, Sickle Cell Anemia, Tuberculosis, and other communicable diseases.