Adoption Process

For married couples, referrals are usually assigned in 12-24 months for older children, and 6-36 months for infants, depending on heritage and needs. For single women a preliminary application is reviewed within 4-6 weeks. After the application is approved, a referral is usually received within 9 months. Travel generally takes place within one month after acceptance of the referral.

Registration/ Application

Our Registration and Application are the first steps in beginning your journey as a client of Wide Horizons For Children (WHFC). Full service families will be assigned a social worker and begin the home study process when we receive the first part of the application materials. You will be required to complete and return a number of documents, including general household information, financial information, criminal background checks, and others.

For clients who will be using WHFC for child placement services only, you will be assigned a case manager to guide you through your adoption process, and to liaison with your home study agency social worker.

Home Study and CIS Approval

The home study is an assessment of an applicant's suitability to adopt a child, as well as an opportunity for a social worker to educate and counsel the applicants about adoption. The social worker will help identify the type of child a family is best suited to adopt. The home study itself is a written report of the findings of the social worker who has met with the applicants on several occasions, both individually and together. Additionally, in order to adopt internationally, all applicants must submit an I-800A form, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country. This form is required of all families adopting from a country that is party to The Hague Adoption Convention, a treaty designed to protect children, birthparents and prospective adoptive parents, as well as establish internationally agreed upon rules and procedures for adoptions.

Dossier Submission

The dossier consists of documents mandated by the adoption authorities in Colombia before you can move forward with receiving the referral of a child for adoption. WHFC will provide detailed instructions as well as support to help you with the completion of your dossier.

Referral of a Child

A referral includes photos of the child, an extensive medical report and a social report that includes the background information on the child's birth parent.

Travel to Colombia

Adoptive parents will travel to Colombia within four weeks of accepting a referral to complete the adoption process. Both parents will need to travel to Colombia to meet their child and initiate the legal proceedings. Travel and stay in Colombia will be from four to six weeks.

Travel Resources

U.S. Department of State - Lists any current travel advisories for Colombia and other countries.

Travel Protectors, LLC - Offers medical coverage and assistance services for Americans traveling outside the U.S.

Re-Fingerprinting & I800-A Updating

Are your fingerprints up to date? I-800A approvals expire after 15 months from the time the first adult in the household is fingerprinted (the expiration date appears directly on the approval). Contact your CIS Coordinator at 781.894.5330 for additional information.

Home with Child/ Post-Placement

Your child will become a U.S. citizen automatically upon entry into the U.S., however we recommend that you finalize the adoption in your state of residence. WHFC will assist families with this re-adoption process. A 3-year period of post-placement supervision and reporting is required after your child comes home.