Program Criteria

Marital Status: Married couples and singles are eligible to adopt. Couples must be married for 3 years, however, a 5 year marriage if preferred. Single women may be considered for the adoption of individual school age (7+) children and sibling groups.

Age Requirements: All applicants must be at least 25 years of age. Below are general age guidelines established by the ICBF in Colombia. Age requirements may be more flexible for families interested in adopting older children, children with special needs, or sibling groups.

Other: WHFC is accepting applications for children age 36 months and up only, as well as waiting children who tend to be older or sibling groups. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis for families of Colombian-American origin wishing to adopt a child of any gender or race.

All applicants must have medical histories clear of chronic or debilitating illness or conditions that may have the potential to impede long term parenting. All applicants must have criminal histories free of arrest or conviction. In general, couples wishing to adopt a child under 2 should not be older than 38 years old and must provide proof of infertility. Babies under 2 are placed only with childless couples and couples who have no more than one adopted child already in the home. For families adopting for the second time, the age limit for adoptive parents is extended to 40 years old.