Adoption in the Dominican Republic

If you have decided to make an international adoption in the Dominican Republic, here we provide information that is useful to different applicants' nationalities. 

The Dominican Republic has signed the majority international legal instruments related to the adoption, including the Convention of The Hague on the protection of minors and the co-operation as regards international adoption.  Although this convention awaits a ratification of the congress, this does not prevent its application in the country.

The adoption of Dominican children by non-Dominican adopting parents is possible.

International adoptions in the Dominican Republic are governed by Law 136-03. All adoptions must be done through an official Dominican government entity called CONANI (“Consejo Nacional para la Niñez y la Adolescencia” - National Council for Children and Adolescents). Private adoptions are not possible under the Law. All children are assigned to the adopting parents by CONANI.

Adoptions in the Dominican Republic are “privileged,” meaning that the adopted child will have the same rights as a biological child in his or her new family. Adoptions are also irrevocable.

General requirements are as follows:

• The adopting parents must be at least 30 years old and no more than 60 years old.
• The adopting parents must be married for a minimun of 5 years.
• Age difference between the adopting parents and the adopted child must be at least 15 years.
• The consent of the child's parents, or in the case of orphans, from the appropriate judicial authority, must be obtained.
• The adopting parents must live with the child in the Dominican Republic for at least 30 days or 60 days.
• Children 12 years old or more must approve their own adoption.
• The adopting parent's biological children who are 12 years old or older must give their opinion on the adoption.
• Applicants must also present to the Dominican authorities evidence of their solvency, good health and good morals.

ADOPTION PROCEDURES:

Dominican adoption law is governed by the Dominican Code of Fundamental Protection and Rights for Children and Adolescents, Law 136-03, Articles 111-167. 

The adoption process is comprised of an administrative and judicial phase. 

To begin the administrative phase, prospective adoptive parents should hire a Dominican attorney to initiate contact with CONANI and begin the process of locating a child who meets the definition of “orphan” under Dominican law. 

By their experience in the matter, we recommended the following professional office:  

Dra. Maria Virginia Streit

Calle tercera, No.25, Proyecto Playa Laguna I, 

Carretera Sosua-Cabarete, Sosua, Republica Dominicana

Email:  oxa@verizon.net.do

Office: 00 1 809 571-3167

Cell phone: 00 1 809 513-7558

Once the family receives and accepts the referral of a child, CONANI reviews the prospective adoptive family’s file of required documents and, if satisfied, issues a Certificate of Suitability. The family is then allowed to present its formal, legal application to the Dominican Court of Minors, which subsequently issues a Final Order of Adoption.

 

Documents that are required to initiate the process of international adoption in the Dominican Republic.  These documents must be legalized by the General Consulate of the Republic Dominican and translated to Spanish: 

1. Biopsychosocial study of the adoptive parents;
2. Legalized adoption consent;
3. Adoptive parents’ birth certificates;
4. Adoptive parents’ marriage certificate;
5. Declaration of the loss of authority of the biological parents or authorization for adoption;
6. Certificate of Suitability, no more than six months old, issued by CONANI;
7. Certificate issued by a civic, community, or religious entity/organization attesting to the physical, mental, social, and moral suitability of the adoptive parents;
8. Certificate confirming that the adoptive parents have fulfilled the residency requirements, issued by CONANI;
9. Certificate of completion of all criteria for the assignment of the child, issued by CONANI;
10. Prospective adoptive parents’ police certificates issued by a competent authority;
11. Prospective adoptive parents’ medical certificates;
12. Power of attorney from the adoptive parents to their lawyer;
13. Act of No Opposition in the case of the existence of older children;
14. Certification issued by a competent authority that will provide follow-up on the minor’s adjustment;

Once a child has been assigned the adopting couple must come to the Dominican Republic to live with the child, under the supervision of CONANI, for a period of at least 30 or 60 days.

If cohabitation with the child is successful, CONANI will issue, within sixty days from the termination of the cohabitation period, a certificate stating the applicants have been found to be fit to adopt the child.