Adopting in Panama / Frequent asked questions.
by: Miriam Amores Correa

.1. What are the requirements for adoptive parents?

Answer: Fundamentally the requirements to comply with are the following:

A. Being of legal age (here is 18 years old) and be at least 18 years older than the adoptive child.

B. To proof good morals, economic, social, and emotional conditions. To have good health (psychological and physical) to be able to assume responsibly for the child.

C. Certificate issued by the central authority of the country of residence proving to have received preparation for adoptive parents. 

D. Authorization to adopt issued by the competent central authority. 

 

2. Approximately how long is the required stay in Panama to receive the child? Is there a lot of children waiting for homes?

Waiting period for a child younger than 12 months can be very long, since there is a preference for Panamanian parents and the authorities of our country prefer that the underage children stay in Panama. 

 

3. How long is the required stay in Panama to receive the child? Is there more than one trip required?

As a general rule, two trips to Panama will be needed:

The first one so the adoptive parents know the child and they give their conformity with its pre-assignment.

A second trip should be carried out in the event that the Judge of the process of adoption orders that the child has to live together with the adoptive parents in Panama, which would be a period of around three months approximately where the adoptive parents have to stay in the country. The Judge can decide that the child can stay at the same domicile as the adoptive parents.

4. Are the children placed in orphanages or in foster homes? 

The children are in orphanages and in foster homes. 

Finally, please note that Panama only deals with international adoptions with States signatories of the Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption. Canada is a party of this Convention.

Please find the full text of the Hague Convention of 29 May 1993 on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption for further reference in the following link: www.limayasociados.com/Hagueadoptions.pdf

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