Adoption-Link is pleased to announce our new adoption program in Kenya!
Kenya Adoption Program Adoption-Link is pleased to announce our new adoption program in Kenya!
Adopting from Kenya:
Adopting from Kenya can be a demanding process, largely because the Kenyan government requires adoptive parents to relocate to Kenya for 6 - 10 months. Though living in Kenya would be an incredible experience for any family that can make it possible. Kenya is a major tourist destination and people from all over the world visit Kenya to go on safari, enjoy the country’s beautiful landscapes and experience their diverse culture.
Eligibility requirements include:
1. Married couples who have been married for at least three years.
2. At least one of the applicants must be between 25 years old and 65 years old, and more than 21 years older than the child. The applicants may be related to the child.
The Kenyan government will not grant adoptions to the following::
1. To a single foreign applicant (exceptions made for special needs children);
2. If one or both applicants is not of sound mind, as defined by the Kenyan Mental Health Act;
3. To applicant(s) who have been charged and convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction for or of any offence against children under Kenyan laws. (Note: USCIS also requires a criminal background check to be done on all petitioners and may find families ineligible as well);
4. To gay and lesbian individuals or couples;
5. To joint applicants not married to each other.
Residency Requirements:
At least one of the adopting parents must reside in Kenya with the child for at least three months before legal procedures begin, though both parents would be required to go initially to meet the child and to attend the court proceedings Adoption-Link has an in country facilitator that will arrange lodging and make sure you are comfortable throughout your stay. Although some legal adoption steps can be initiated before the three months period has been completed, most of the legal work will only begin after the three month “homestay” with the child is finished.
Time Frame:
Following the initial three months, three court hearings will be scheduled to process the adoption. Our partner agency, Little Angels Network, estimates that the legal proceedings will take 5-7 months to complete. Thus, the entire stay in Kenya is expected to be 8-10 months. However, adoptive parents must be prepared for the possibility of this taking longer. All adoption orders are finalized in Kenya prior to applicant’s leaving the country and upon their fulfilling all the requirements.
Fees:
Adoption-Link Program Fee: $4,500
Other Fees paid to Adoption-Link: $4,675
Fees Paid to Adoption-Link for Little Angels in Kenya: $2,171
Adoption Related Fees Paid to Others in U.S and Kenya: $8,481
Estimate of total adoption expenses paid to Adoption-Link and others excluding airfare, room and board: $19,827
For a detailed breakout of all fees, please review the Kenya Adoption Fee Agreement.
About Kenya:
Kenya has struggled with widespread poverty and has been hit hard by AIDS, resulting in an estimated orphan population of 2.5 million children. For these children, adoption is their best hope.
Kenya is located in Eastern Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the northeast, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean running along the southeast border. It is a country of great ethnic diversity. There are more than 30 ethnic groups represented and 62 languages spoken, though the official languages are Swahili and English. Almost 80% of its 31 million people are Christian and 10% are Muslim.
It enjoys a tropical climate and is hot and humid at the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeast parts of the country. The country receives a great deal of sunshine all the year round and summer clothes are worn throughout the year. Kenya has a thriving tourism industry that attracts people from all over the world who want to experience their unique culture and amazing wildlife.
For more information, please call 708-524-1433 or email us at info@adoption-link.org.