Greetings in the Name of Jesus!
Following the interest of adoptions in Honduras, we have compiled a brief overview of our work and the process of Honduran adoptions. Please note: Seeds of Change is not an adoption agency. We are a Christian Foundation/ministry committed to working along side Honduran, government laws and guidelines in accordance to IHNFA and El Codigo de Familia y Ninez (Social Services).
Practically, we are an International Spirit-filled Non-profit organization (legally registered in Honduras) that works under the ethos of being a ‘bridge’ between orphans currently living within Honduran orphanages and families whose heart is adoption. In accordance to Biblical teachings, Seeds of Change is dedicated to facilitate orphans and impoverished children into loving, stable, small family units.
PSLAM 68 V 5… “FATHER OF THE FATHERLESS…HE SETS THE LONELY IN FAMILIES!!
Our ministry aim is to serve! We are here to assist you and be your Christian advocates during your Honduran adoption process! We will work alongside you & your family and assist you in any way we can.
Ways we support you:
· Translation of legal documents from Spanish to English
· Providing a place for you to stay during your time in Honduras
· Visiting your child during their transition process
· Praying you through the legal process
· Sending you photos and e-mails about the well-being & development of child
· Being a Christian ‘shoulder’ during an unknown & often emotional journey.
· Providing a small transition home for your child during the process in order to transition them socially, emotionally, psychologically, & spiritually into loving adoptive families.
The transition stage of an impoverished child or orphan jumping from their life in “developing world” Honduras to a loving functional family in the United States or the UK is vital for the well being of the adoptive child.
It helps prepare them in all aspects of cognitive development and also to facilitate new adoptive families & their existing children into their new family setting! Furthermore, it is a chance for the child to begin to learn English and adapt to a new culture, routines & foods before they move. * The only fee we charge is the monthly cost required to support your child. We are here for God and His glory, not to make a profit!
In His Service,
Seeds of Change Staff
Founder & President: Leonie Webster
Email adoption questions to: eamohagen@yahoo.com
All Honduran Children who are placed in orphanages DO NOT legally belong to those whom provide care. They belong to the Honduran social services called IHNFA or Juzgado de la ninez. If you are interested in adopting a child from an orphanage, you need to inquire about them through IHNFA. Article 144 (El codigo del familias y ninez) states that EACH child is available for adoption after 24 months of being in a center/orphanage. This is also part of the child's Human Rights & long term well being; to be placed in a family.
* Single females may also adopt!
ADOPTION IN HONDURAS
Adoption in Honduras is carried out in three processes: the administrative process with the Honduran Institute of Childhood and Family (IHNFA), the judicial process with the Family Court, and the registration process with the National Registry of Persons.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS
1. Before being admitted, you must go to the Legal Attorney of the Department of Adoption for review and once the request is approved with the authenticated copy of all the documents, and if the file is complete, it is admitted and entered into the Request List so that the Department of Adoption may manage the request, and the file is given a corresponding number.
2. Afterwards, when it is your turn, the Department of Adoption prepares an informational chart on the family and the child that could be assigned according to the presented request in order to submit it to the Assignment Committee. Once that information presented is evaluated with the file, the child is assigned, if it is considered that the legal requirements have been followed.
3. Two weeks later and once the assignment has been accepted, within the next thirty days the IHNFA schedules the family interviews for two days. The first day both the Social Worker and the Psychologist interview the couple separately. The second day in the morning they apply a psychological test, and in the afternoon they coordinate with the supporting Family Program the meeting with the child and the support mother, to coordinate the time that they will share with the child while they are in the country.
4. When the IHNFA receives the information from the Family Court of Law, it prepares the Confidential Report as a result of the interviews.
5. Once the Family Court of Law passes the Final Decree of Adoption, at the request of the Attorney in Fact, the date of the signing of the Document of Adoption is scheduled, and the giving over of the child is formalized.
JUDICIAL PROCESS
The judicial process is carried out in a period of approximately two and a half months starting from the date when the request is presented before the Family Court of Law.
1. On the first day of the interviews-in the afternoon or whenever it is considered convenient for the families-the request is presented before the Family Court of Law.
2. Once the Judge has reviewed that the file fulfills the requirements of the law, he will admit the request and order that it be sent for review to the Public Prosecutor´s Office in order that the IHNFA may prepare the Confidential Report and publish the adoption request in an official government publication and in a local newspaper.
3. The Public Prosecutor´s Office takes the file to review and once it is approved, it is returned in a week.
4. Once the publications are made, the original pages of the newspapers are presented so that the file may be added to them.
5. When the IHNFA turns in the Confidential Report, you must go before the Family Court of Law in compliance with the Judge´s orders, who again orders that the District Attorney issues the final ruling on the request.
6. When the Judge receives the favorable ruling from the Public Prosecutor´s Office, he or she resolves in the next ten days to issue the Final Decree of Adoption.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
1. When the administrative and judicial processes have been finished, you proceed to conduct the Registration of Adoption with the National Registry of Persons, and the Registration of the New Birth Certificate in the National Registry of Persons of the place where the child was born.
2. If the child will be travelling with a Honduran passport, once the final documentation is complete, you may proceed to solicit the passport. But if the legislation permits that the passport be issued in the Consulate of the country of the adoptive parents, the official procedure of the documents is done with the Supreme Court of Justice and the National Registry of Persons in order to then have them translated and obtain an Apostille through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Honduran Adoption Advice
1. How long will it take to adopt a child?
The process can take anywhere between 18 to 24 months depending on the route taken. Any adoption process is very complex but we will liaise with you every step of the way until completion.
You can also begin the process of home study (USA) before IHNFA has a specified child for you, which will greatly speed up the process.
2. What are the costs?
See Chart on following page of break down of financial obligations.
3. Do I need to go through a training or certification to adopt?
It is highly recommended that all prospective adoptive parents research or attend a training session on the integration of infant/child to a family unit.
(an option for training is: – www.arrow.org)
4. What are the requirements to be eligible to adopt?
a. Honduras:
i. Married (Heterosexuals only) couples must be married 3 years or more by date on adoption application.
ii. At least one member of the adopting couple must be 25 but no more than 50 years of age.
iii. All applicants must be under the age of 50.
iv. Single women over age of 25 may adopt.
v. Criminal and Financial clearance checks
vi. Homosexuals and single men may not adopt in Honduras
vii. The adopted child must be at least 15 years younger than the youngest member of the adopting couple.
b. U.S.: See Home study requirements for the agency you have chosen.
c. Europe: Some European countries (eg. U.K) require post adoption placement visits on completion of a Honduran adoption; also, may require adoption through that countries courts, prior to obtaining your child’s passport of your citizenship.
5. I have previously adopted before in the United States and already have a Home Study completed. Do I need to do it over again?
Please consult with your home-study social worker as it is case by case.
6. What is a Home Study?
A homestudy is a written for individuals and couples who wish to adopt both domestically and internationally. The homestudy is a way to gather information to ensure that a child is placed in a qualified home. A home study involves a social worker going to your house, and completing a questionnaire and writing a report. The process takes about three months to complete. It also involves a home inspection, child abuse index search, and a background check.
7. I have adopted a child from Honduras before, does this change the process for me?
Not necessarily. Each adoption is based on its own merit and dealt with individually.
8. How long will I need to be in the country of Honduras?
There is a minimum of 2 trips to Honduras for the adopted parents. The first visit is around 1 week in length, the second visit will last between 3 to 4 weeks.
9. Do both spouses need to be in Honduras for the entire Honduran stay?
Both adoptive parents must attend the meetings for the child. If one parent wishes to stay to care for the child in the meantime that is acceptable. However for any part of the legal processes, both parents must be present.
10 What is the condition of the children that are eligible to be adopted?
This is definitely at a case by case basis. There are many healthy children that are in need of adoption, however you must realize that children may be referred to as “healthy” but still have effects of being institutionalized in orphanages or having a traumatic past. This could include malnutrition, delayed development, and other minor conditions. Many of the symptoms of their past will diminish and disappear when a child is placed in a home and receives love, attention, medical care, and proper nutrition.
There are also many children with mental and physical disabilities that are also in need of a home.
11. What are the age of the children?
Ranges from infant to 16 years old. An infant available for adoption rare compared to the amount of children that are 2 and older and in need on a family. Therefore the older the child you’re willing to take, the faster the process.
12. Can I specifically ask for a boy or girl and for a specific age?
Yes you may specify. Just remember that the more specifications, the longer and more complicated the process could take.
IHNFA gives Honduran families priority of girls. Therefore girls to international families, take longer to adopt than boys.
13. Do I need to get a lawyer in the United States? How do I know what to do and when in the process for my country of Residence (U.S. or Europe)?
You may pay for a lawyer if you would like the help, however it is possible to do the U.S. side on your own. It requires research, however the information is out there and we will attempt to connect you with people who know how to do it.
14. I’m pregnant, can I pursue adoption at the same time?
Because of the incredible amount of love and attention a newly adopted child requires, we ask that you give 12 months of time between the birth of your child and when you will receive an adopted child. However the paperwork process could be started during that year.
15. Is it possible to work with another agency to pursue adoption at the same time as work with Seeds of Change?
Should you decide to work with Seeds of Change, we ask that you choose to work with us exclusively. This assures adoptive families and children as smooth an adoption process as possible.
16. Who will be caring for my child while the paperwork is completed?
Seeds of Change is an international Spirit-filled ministry who provides a God-centered, bi-lingual small home environment to assist your child in the emotional, psycho-social, and spiritual transition into your family. We are dedicated to assisting children in making the easiest transition into your family!
Alternatively, the other option is that your child would continue in the orphanage until the time comes for you to take them home.
Honduran Adoption Process
(Please remember that every case is different and
working with Honduras requires flexibility!)
1. Complete USA home study approval process. This can take around 3 months depending on what you work out with the agency. There are only three agencies that INHFA recognizes and is allowed to do home studies for Honduras to USA adoptions:
o American World Adoption (www.awaa.org)
o Children’s Home Society (www.chsfs.org) *not for Honduran residents*
o Buckner International (www.buckner.org)
2. Submit all required paperwork to Honduran lawyer. (see page 8)
o See attached list of official documents required (all must be apostilled)
o Home Study from U.S.
o Letter stating you can receive post-placement services from an adoption agency near your home town if needed. (You should not have to pay for this)
3. Submission of I-600A form – USA applicants only *Subject to change*
4. IHNFA approval – you will be contacted regarding what child has been chosen for you – you will receive a report on the child and a picture. You then may accept or decline the child. If you decline, IHNFA will give you one more child to accept.
5. First Visit to Honduras:
o About 1 week in length.
o Day 1 – interviews with IHNFA
o Day 2 - psychological testing
o Meet your child!
6. Return to the states and wait a maximum of 2 months for paperwork in Honduras to be completed.
7. Second Visit:
o 3-4 weeks in length
o Finish the paperwork with IHNFA & courts
o Registration of adoption in Tegucigalpa and child’s place of birth *possible allocation of child to adoptive parents
o Collection of child’s Honduran birth certificate
o Acquirement of Child’s Honduran passport (one day process)
o Application for USA visa & interview with USA embassy. On successful USA visa approval you may return home with your child!
8. Stateside: US embassy in Honduras will send you home with a letter necessary for you to complete the paperwork stateside.
9. Post Adoption Placement visits – 4 times for 1st year, bi-annually for 2 year, once a year until child is 14.
Overview of the Fees:
|
Fee |
Cost |
When Due: |
|
Honduras Adoption Specialist Lawyer Fee: |
$ 6,000/child. In the case of a sibling set, there is a discount. (Negotiable with lawyer) |
Half at the beginning, half at the end. |
|
Finalization & Notary of Adoption Paperwork Fee: |
$600 |
Post Adoption |
|
Homestudy Fee: USA applicants only |
Depending on agency & location $2,000 - $3,000 + the cost of medical exams, background checks, paperwork etc. |
**There are only 3 adoption agencies that are approved by Honduras to work through (see process of adoption)** |
|
Required Documents: |
Under $200 |
All official documents sent to Honduras requires an Apostille process to take place. |
|
Travel Expenses: **Probably 2 trips to Honduras during the process.** |
Ranges from $1,000-$2,000 per person |
You make these arrangements |
|
Transition period for your child: We are an international Spirit-filled ministry who provides a God-centered bi-lingual small home environment to assist your child in the emotional, psycho-social, and spiritual transition into your family. |
$200 - $300 / month |
This is to provide for the needs of the child while he/she is in a transition/foster home situation. Includes schooling, medical, food, clothes, English classes etc. *At parents discretion but highly recommended |
|
U.S. Embassy Fees: |
$1500 |
Fees to accompany adoption paperwork, interview & medical exams |
|
U.S. Paperwork fees |
? |
Green card, birth certificate, legal fees (subject to individual lawyers), processing fee, |
Required official paperwork
*This paperwork must be sent to the Honduran Lawyer as Step 2 of the process
· Marriage License
· Medical statements and lab tests, which proves you do not have any contagious diseases and HIV.
· Police records from both of you
· Work letters, which says how much you earn, how long you have been working there and the benefits you have.
· Psychological and home study done by an agency licensed by the state to do it. (only 3 approved agencies)
· Bank statements
· Title of your home.
· Three Honorability letters or Recommendation letters from social or community leaders, religious or governmental authorities from the place you have your residency.
· Two pictures of each parent.
· Pictures of family and your home inside and outside
· Photocopy of your passports
· Official approval from your country in which says that you are suitable to adopt a child from other country and says that a child, once adopted, can enter the United States.
· Letter from Consul of Honduras in which says that the family have completed all requirements necessary to adopt
· Post Placement agreement for adoption signed for the Agency