Nicaragua
The Nicaragua Ministry of Family will go through a number of steps to ensure that the adopted child has been abandoned and that no biological family members are willing to take in the child. Once the adoptive parents have been approved by the Ministry of the Family they are placed on a waiting list until a child is identified.
Once all the data is evaluated and necessary investigations performed, the case is presented to the Ministry of Family’s adoption advisory council for a final decision on the adoption. Either the adoptive parents or the adoptive parents’ lawyer should be present for these proceedings.If the adoption is approved, the decision is then sent to a judge to formally order the decision. The judge has the authority to deny a case when there is a concern for the child’s welfare. These are exceptionally rare cases, with only one case denied in the last ten years. When the final adoption decree is issued by the Nicaraguan court, the parents are able to attain a birth certificate from the Central Registry of Managua. As soon as the birth certificate has been issued, a passport can be attained from Nicaraguan Immigration.
Elgibity Requirements
Only those who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord can adopt children through Compassionate Care.
Both single women and married couples may adopt. Officially, prospective adoptive parents must be between 25 and 40. However, the Ministry of Family has been very flexible on the age requirement on a case-by-case basis
Available Children
Healthy infants, toddlers, and older children are available.
Special Needs Children are available.
Nicaraguan children usually have full or part Mayan Indian ethnicity with varied skin tones.
Referrals consist of a medical and a picture.
Adoptable Timetable
Referrals are made approximately two months after dossier submission.
Parents may request the gender of the child they wish to adopt.
Adoption timetable is 10 to 12 months.
Travel Requirements
Both Parents must travel.
Two trips required.
First trip of 4 days is approximately 6 months after
acceptance of a referral.
Second trip of 2 1/2 weeks is approximately 6 months after
first trip.
If necessary, both parents could travel on the second trip
for the court, date and leave one spouse behind for
adoption finalization and immigration processing.
Nicaragua Adoption Fees
APPLICATION FEE $ 300
Due w/application, non refundable
COMPASSIONATE CARE AGENCY FEE $3,500
$1,750 due with submission of dossier.
$1,750 due with acceptance of a referral or travel date
HOME STUDY $1,500
(If prepared by Compassionate Care) + mileage
$ 750 due upon first home study visit.
$ 750 due upon completion of home study.
PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION $ 150
(If prepared by Compassionate Care
U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION (INS) $ 830
Two Adults ($670 + $70 per adult for FBI fingerprinting).
DOSSIER AUTHENTICATION Varies
Due with submission of dossier
(Depending on which state you live in, you may have a fee
for document authentication at the Secretary of State’s
office in your state.)
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM FEE $10,000
For In-Country Facilitator Services, Translation, Etc.
TOTAL ADOPTION FEES $16,280
*Above fees do not include travel, and in-country living expenses.
**You will also need to purchase a one way return-flight ticket for your child which usually cost around 10% of your round-trip airfare.
***We want to remind you that the above fees are approximate and to please keep in mind that although Compassionate Care’s fees will not change during your adoption process all other fees associated with international adoption are subject to change without notice.
Our Facilitator in Nicaragua will greet you upon arrival in Nicaragua and assist you in every step of the international adoption process.