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International adoption:
Dominican republic

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Dominican Republic (Hague Convention Country)

Located in the Caribbean, Dominican Republic consists of the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, east of Haiti. Residents enjoy a tropical climate with little seasonal variation. The country consists of white sand beaches and impressive mountain ranges with spectacular rivers and waterfalls.

why choose to adopt from Dominican republic

Children available for adoption in Dominican Republic reside in orphanages. Traveling to the Dominican Republic from the US is relatively easy and the country is located in the Caribbean! The official national language is Spanish. Adopting parents will live with the child in the Dominican Republic for sixty days (for a child under 12 years of age) or thirty days (for a child 12 years or older) providing you an excellent opportunity to get to know the country, culture, and people – and your child!!

who Can Adopt from Dominican Republic?

  • Married couples (two adults, different biological sexes

  • Between the ages of 30 and 60

  • Couples must be married a minimum of 5 years

  • Minimum of a 15-year age difference between adoptive parents and adopted child​

                 Click here for more information. 

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children available

Children available for adoption are generally over the age of 2 years. Children of both biological sexes are available. Occasionally siblings are available and some younger HIV+ children may also be available. The majority of the children are of Spanish descent mixed with African descent and is listed as “73% mixed, 16% white, 11% African.” Children are referred for adoption by CONANI, the Central Authority in Dominican Republic. CONANI is the responsible entity for matching and referring children, not HATW.

Overview of the Dominican republic Adoption Process

1. Contact the agency and particpate in a group or individual information session about our Dominican Republic adoption program.

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2. Complete and submit an application for adoption services with accompanying non-refundable application fee to HATW.

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3. Complete your Home Study with Hands Across The Water or an appropriate agency in your state. Please contact HATW for assistance if you live outside Michigan.

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4. File your I-800A with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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5. Prepare your dossier for Dominican Republic. 

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6. Dossier is sent to country and reviewed and approved by CONANI.

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7. Your referral wait time may be as long as 24-48 months.

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8. After a referral is received, you will need to accept or decline the referral. Should you accept, the adoption process starts in Dominican Republic.

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9. Travel to Dominican Republic for cohabitation period with your child. The length of this period of time is approximately 4 months. One parent may be allowed to return home after the initial 2 weeks of cohabitation, but will need to return for finalization. Your stay in Dominican Republic is a very valuable time to learn about the country, people, and culture of your child's birth.

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Post Adoption Supervision

Your child’s adoption is finalized in Dominican Republic, but post adoption reports are still required. Six post adoption reports are required, at 6 months, 12 months, 2 yrs, 3 yrs, 4 yrs and 5 yrs. after arrival home. The frequency and number is subject to change.

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