Factsheet, Page 2

ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS : The adoptive parents must work directly with the Ministry of Family until the final stage of the adoption. Once the Ministry of Family authorizes the adoption, the adopting parents may hire a lawyer to complete the adoption procedures. Because it can be difficult to navigate the Nicaraguan legal system, you may want to consider hiring an adoption attorney to assist you. Lists of attorneys are available from the American Embassy.

Prospective adopting parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.- based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adopting parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located.

Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at our Web site (http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/info/info_454.html).

ADOPTION FEES IN Nicaragua: The Ministry of the Family does not charge fees for the adoption process. Typical charges will be legal fees and fees for obtaining notarized legal documents.

ADOPTION PROCEDURES: Parents can expect a lengthy process to adopt a child in Nicaragua. Once a parent has identified a child and the Ministry of the Family has been notified of the parent’s intent to adopt the child, the Ministry of the Family will go through a number of steps to ensure that the child has been abandoned and no other family members are willing to take in the child. Mi Familia will verify that the adopting parent has been approved for adopting a child by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and requires translated and notarized copies of the home study conducted in the United States. Once all data has been evaluated and necessary investigations performed, the case will be presented to the Ministry of the Family’s adoption advisory council for a final decision on the adoption. If the adoption is approved, the decision is then sent to a judge to formally order the decision.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION IN Nicaragua: The following is a list of documents typically requested by Mi Familia when they are evaluating an adoption request from a prospective parent. All documents should be translated into Spanish and then authenticated by the nearest Nicaraguan Consulate:

Original authenticated notice of approval (I-171H) issued by USCIS;
Home study;
Psychological evaluation;
Birth certificate;
Marriage certificate, if applicable;
Letter of employment;
Police record;
Certified copy of child's birth certificate issued by the civil registrar indicating the name of both biological parents, if known;
If birth father, mother, or both are deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate issued by the civil registrar.

The above is not a complete list of everything that may be requested. The Ministry of the Family will advise you directly should anything else be required.

Note that the Ministry of the Family does not charge fees for adoptions.

Previous Page Next Page

Credits: U.S. Department of State