Your primary provider can provide or point you to post-placement/post-adoption services to help your adopted child and your family transition smoothly and deal effectively with the many adjustments required in an intercountry adoption. For Nigerian States that do not have a legal authority to complete an adoption, the U.S. Consulate in Lagos may issue an IR4 classification immigrant visa if all U.S. immigration requirements are met. If you have concerns about your intercountry adoption process, we ask that you share this information with the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, particularly if it involves possible fraud or misconduct specific to your child’s case. Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) child’s rights law 2007. a law to enforce the rights and advance the welfare of the child, and to amend and consolidate all legislations relating to the protection and welfare of the child in lagos state and for other connected and incidental purposes (28th may 2007) commencement. As a result, investigations and the in-country visa application and approval process can cause adoption processing in Lagos to take up to six months to complete, after the initial approval of the Form I-600 by U.S. Accredited or Approved Adoption Service Provider To Act as Your Primary Provider. Story continues below advertisement. Often times, adoption decrees from Nigerian courts put stipulations on the adoption, such as not allowing the child to travel beyond the jurisdiction of the court or requiring periodic visits of the child by the social welfare office of the respective Nigerian state. Please Note: The information on this webpage is a summary of the country specific information for Nigeria provided on the Department of State’s Travel.State.Gov website. Phone: (234)-9-461-4000 The Child's Right Act, 2003 provides for adoption of a child in Nigeria. The office which is located in the Complex of the Government Offices in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos (block 18), where you will be put through series of interviews. Once you have accepted a match of a child, your dossier will be delivered to the Morgan Hill in Nigeria who will add the child’s paperwork to your dossier and file with theMinistry for approval. Legal work, in country support, and translation services if needed will be provided to families during their stay abroad directly by MOHIC’s qualified staff members. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). adopt a female child. For travel to the United States on a temporary basis, including tourism, temporary employment, study and exchange. It must come from a desire to love a child. 6. A Family in Bloom Adoption will offer a full-service program in close partnership with MOHIC, who will match families with children or alternately have children available for qualified families registered with our agency. Apply to be found eligible to adopt. Due to adoption fraud and child buying concerns, the U.S. Consulate completes the Form I-604, Determination on Child for Adoption, commonly referred to as the orphan determination, to verify the authenticity of the information provided in the adoption decree and with the Form I-600 petition. Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and Cross Rivers have different regulations for their adoption process than the other Nigerian States. The Obama Administration’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. Our Adoption Comment Page provides several points of contact for adoptive families to comment on their adoption service provider, their experience applying for their child’s visa, or about the Form I-600/A process. • Unmarried couples are discouraged from adopting, although the … It must be because we want to raise a child for God as a demonstration of our love for God. Prospective adoptive parents should not attempt to process their adoption through local officials who may attempt to circumvent the legal process. This is for non-Nigerian Americans and Nigerians alike, including kinship adoptions. Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive The second trip would be after permission is given by the US government for an exit interview and visa issuance. For foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States. The Department of State takes all allegations of fraud or misconduct seriously. The process will take approximately one year from the time of the official registration with the Lagos Ministry of Social Welfare. Lagos law prohibits such adoptions other than in exceptional circumstances, for example suchas a niece. Divorce decrees (if applicable) Proof of Nigerian citizenship. But here are what it takes to adopt a child in Nigeria. Birth certificates. You may wish to take advantage of all the resources available to your family, whether it is another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services. (b) You will be invited for an interview and asked the reason why you want to adopt a child. The specific law governing the adoption will depend on the jurisdiction in which the adoption takes place. Choose an Adoption Service Provider Financial documentation. Along the way, there are many points where adoption laws will have an effect on your child's adoption. An adoption order is an order that names individuals who adopt a child, as the child’s legal parents. Apply to Nigeria’s Authorities to Adopt, and to be Matched with a Child. Morgan Hill Children Foundation (MOHIC), an established Nigerian non-profit dedicated to humanitarian and child advocacy work, has been designated by the Lagos Ministry of Social Welfare to process and administer all international adoptions. THE PROCESS: Visit the Adoption section of the ministry of Youth Sports and Social development. Nigeria is not a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention or Convention). Adoption in Nigeria To adopt a child from another country and bring that child to live in the United States, you must first be found eligible to adopt under U.S. law. If you think your provider’s conduct may not have been in compliance with accreditation standards, first submit your complaint in writing directly to your provider. Within Colorado, A Family in Bloom Adoption has qualified and experienced social workers and case managers that can provide all the services necessary from start to finish for a successful international adoption, from the initial application, home study, US Immigration, match, and placement and post-placement services. Apply for the child to be found eligible for orphan status. Fax: (234)-9-461-4036. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of the Department of Homeland Security. The following persons can apply to the Family Court for an adoption order in Lagos State: 1. There are also numerous adoptive family support groups and adoptee organizations active in the United States that provide a network of options for adoptees who seek out other adoptees from the same country of origin. Be matched with a child. For security reasons U.S. government personnel are frequently restricted from traveling to certain parts of the country. Alerts and Messages for U.S. visitors to Nigeria. Deciding to Which Adoption Path to Pursue Choose to adopt a child in care if you would like a less … proof of U.S citizenship. It maintains that the children are not for sale and that the fee is purely administrative. 3. Adopt (or gain custody of) the child in Nigeria. The first legal step in adoption is the termination of the parental rights of a child's birthparents. : +234 1 227 8955 The federal agency that makes this determination is U.S. The involvement of MOHIC should result in a more secure, legitimate and well- documented adoption process in a non-Hague Convention adoption country. Our agency has formal partnerships with over forty agencies in other states already and contacts with a score of others to provide the necessary services to our out-of-state families. Accredited or Approved Adoption Service Provider To Act as Your Primary Provider, Apply to USCIS to be Found Suitable and Eligible to Adopt (Form I-600A), Apply to Nigeria’s Authorities to Adopt, and to be Matched with a Child, Adopt the Child in Nigeria (or Obtain Legal Custody of the Child for Purposes of Emigration and Adoption), Apply for Your Child to be Found Eligible to Immigrate to the United States as an Orphan (Form I-600), Apply for a U.S. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria encourages anyone considering adopting in Nigeria to thoroughly review the Nigeria Intercountry Adoption Information page for the most up-to-date information available. There is no corresponding provision that prohibits the adoption of a male child by a female. If the complaint is not resolved through the provider’s complaint process, you may file the complaint through the Complaint Registry. The Adoption Law of Lagos State is contained in Chapter A5, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003 and was signed into Law by Governor Bola Tinubu. Holidays. A married couple, where both have attained the age of 25 years and there is an order authorizing them to adopt a child… This is the official website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria. Failure to obtain approval for the child in contemplation is an offense punishable by law. Email: support-nigeria@ustraveldocs.com Find the closest American Space in Nigeria where you can connect with the U.S. The court order for the release of the child will be issued and the parent adopting the child would be allowed to take the child for a probational period of three months 7. Morgan Hill Children Foundation will also handle international adoptions for Nigerian-American dual citizens only from Akwa Ibom and Cross River States. Some Nigerian states may require status updates on the child until the child’s 18th birthday. An application for adoption is made to the High (Family) Court accompanied with the following documents; (a) Where the applicant is a married couple, their marriage certificate or a sworn declaration of marriage; How to Adopt a Child in Nigeria. Additionally, a child must meet the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States on an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa. Website: www.ustraveldocs.com/ng The capital of Nigeria is Abuja and the largest city is Lagos. Bring your child home. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. A complaint may be filed at any time, including after your child has received an immigrant visa and travelled to the United States. In many cases, further investigation may be required. It must be motivated by our love for God. Parents should confirm any post-adoption requirements with their legal representatives. An application for adoption is made to the High (Family) Court accompanied with the following documents; (a) Where the applicant is a married couple, their marriage certificate or a sworn declaration of marriage; Your first place to visit in the process of adopting a child in Nigeria or (narrowing it down) in Lagos is the Adoption section of the Ministry of Youth Sports and Social development. In general, prospective adoptive parents must first obtain temporary custody of the child and must have physical and temporary legal custody of the child for a bonding period immediately prior to petitioning the court for an adoption decree. The Magistrate Court (from the state where the child resides). Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of … Children in the Program: Children range in age from about 2 to 8 years old at the time of adoption. While many couples or individuals are afraid of adopting illegally, she erased the fears and went through the procedures and conditions for adopting a child in Lagos State through Little Saints Orphanage home, ‘’Adoption is an enviable act of love. The process for adopting a child from Nigeria generally includes the following steps: Choose an adoption service provider. Immigrant Visa for Your Child and Bring Your Child Home. A child must be below the age of 16 (according to the Adoption Act of 1965) or 17 (according to the Child Rights Law) in order to be adopted. Every child is a gift from God. The Lagos State, Nigeria Program is a wonderful opportunity for families in a country where there are many children in need of loving, permanent homes. 4. A Family in Bloom Adoption is privileged to be one of a select few agencies approved and permitted by contractual agreement to work with American families for international adoption from Lagos State. Nigerian courts, except courts in Lagos and Ogun states, only allow Nigerian citizens (dual citizens included) to adopt a child in Nigeria. The fees for adoption from Nigeria are reasonable, and it is estimated that the process will take approximately 1.5 years from application to adoption completion depending upon the type of child you are seeking to adopt. The Lagos State, Nigeria Program is a wonderful opportunity for families in a country where there are many children in need of loving, permanent homes. Apply for Your Child to be Found Eligible to Immigrate to the United States as an Orphan . It must be motivated by our love. the lagos state house of assembly enacts as follows: Every child is a gift from God. The federal agency that makes this determination is U.S. All rights reserved. ... And on July 12 – in a courtroom in Lagos, Nigeria – the adoption was legally recognized. Children are available from the age range 0 to 12 years, primarily in good health, but also some with special needs. Prospective adoptive parents must also have the child they want to adopt in their home (in Nigeria) for a period of several months to several years before they will be able to obtain an adoption in Nigeria. Depending on where the adoption takes place in Nigeria, the specific law and regulations governing the adoption may differ. USCIS determines who is suitable and eligible to adopt a child from another country and bring that child to live in the United States under U.S. immigration law. Lagos State opened at the end of 2016 for international adoption by Americans. Please review each step carefully before proceeding with an adoption to ensure that the adoption is conducted in conformity with both U.S. and Nigerian law. ADOPTION PROCESS IN LAGOS Overview According to Wikipedia, Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person’s biological or legal parent or parents, and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parent or parents. Adoption is an enviable act of love. Prospective adoptive parents are advised to obtain information on adopting in individual states through the state social welfare office. Please note that the only legal way to adopt in Nigeria is to work with the respective state social welfare office (usually named the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development). This step is required by U.S. law for all international adoptions to the U.S. from countries not party to the Hague Convention. In Lagos state, the Government charges eighty thousand naira, (N80, 000.00). If married, both members of a married couple must be Nigerian citizens, except in Lagos and Ogun states. A prospective adoptive parent cannot have the child reside with another family member in lieu of living with the prospective adoptive parent, even if a Power of Attorney is in effect. Adoption is an enviable act of love. The process for adopting a child from Nigeria generally includes the following steps: Choose a U.S. As is the case with all international adoptions to the US, at least one of the adoptive parents must have American citizenship and the other parent, a US permanent residency card. The Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012 requires that an accredited or approved adoption service provider act as the primary provider in every Convention or non-Convention intercountry adoption case, and that adoption service providers providing any adoption services, as defined at 22 CFR Part 96.2, on behalf of prospective adoptive parents be accredited or approved, or be a supervised or exempted provider. E. Single (unmarried) persons below the age of thirty-five (35) years are not eligible to adopt. Copyright © 2019 A Family in Bloom Adoption, LLC. The Complaint Registry is an internet based registry for filing complaints about U.S. accredited or approved adoption service providers. The children live in government operated orphanages. The Lagos State program is open for non-Nigerian applicants. Monday To Friday except declared Nigerian and U.S. House of Mercy is a Lagos based orphanage home providing child protection policies and procedures are in place to ensure children are respected, protected, empowered & active in their own protection.Staff members are skilled, confident and competent. Deputy Chief of Mission Kathleen FitzGibbon, USAID Nigeria Mission Director Anne E. Patterson, Ambassadors Fund For Cultural Preservation 2020 (AFCP), Ambassadors Fund For Cultural Preservation (Small Grants), Choose a U.S. He and his wife applied to adopt a child in late-2015. U.S. Citizens with emergencies, please call 09461 4000, prompt 0, Outside of Office Hours, contact: 09 461 4000. Learn more about quality higher-education opportunities in the U.S. that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Adoption is governed in Nigeria by two laws: The Child Right Act 2003 and the Adoption Law of the State where one seeks to adopt. The final step is the finalization of adoption in court, making you your child's permanent, legal parents. Through adoption & fostering, you can help a child develop and grow up to be an accepted member of the society. It must come from a desire to love a child. Families usually will have two trips to Nigeria: the first and longer visit would involve at least six weeks for bonding with a child culminating with the finalization of the adoption. It must be because we want to raise a child for God as a demonstration of our love for God. The Adoption Law of Lagos State applies only to the adoption of a person unuder the age of seventeen years who is abandoned,or whose parents and other relatives are unknown or cannot be traced after due enquiry certified by a juvenile court. These stipulations may prevent the consular officer from issuing an immigrant visa or cause a delay in the processing of the immigrant visa. Age: Parents must be a minimum of 21 years older than the child they want to adopt. The U.S.-Nigeria Bi-national Commission is a strategic dialogue designed to expand mutual cooperation across a broad range of shared interests. But here are what it takes to adopt a child in Nigeria. Please contact us to learn more about our international adoption services. If they have been with you three years, adoption process should be easier, in Lagos, you have to have had the child for at least three months This information is … The rules of court that regulate proceedings relating to the rights, advancement, and welfare of a child in Lagos State are the Childs Right Law of Lagos State 2007 and the Family court of Lagos … The US State Department is cognizant and supportive of the involvement of MOHIC for international adoptions from these Nigerian states. Prospective adoptive parents must appear in court to answer questions regarding the adoption. An adoption order is an order that names individuals who adopt a child, as the child’s legal parents. Your first place to visit in the process of adopting a child in Nigeria or (narrowing it down) in Lagos is the Adoption section of the Ministry of … A married couple, where both have attained the age of 25 years and there is an order authorizing them to adopt a child… Adopt the Child in Nigeria (or Obtain Legal Custody of the Child for Purposes of Emigration and Adoption) 5. A Family in Bloom Adoption is privileged to be one of a select few agencies approved and permitted by contractual agreement to work with American families for international adoption from Lagos State. Central District Area, Abuja, Nigeria It must be motivated by our love. The length of the bonding period is determined by the court at the time the child is placed with the prospective adoptive parents but is usually at least three months. Minimum Residency: There is no specific minimum residence requirement to be eligible to adopt in Nigeria, however, prospective adoptive parents maybe required to stay in Nigeria for a minimum of a few months to two years to bond with the child before petitioning a court to adopt. Last week there was an announcement of the closure of the US Embassy in Lagos. See additional guidance for limited situations when a primary provider may not be required. A Family in Bloom Adoption can represent adoptive families living anywhere in the United States and indeed about 90 percent of our international adoptive families are currently outside of our home base of Colorado. It must come from a desire to love a child. Under the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, to ease matters, Lagos state now has a responsive website where you process your adoption and fostering form on line. There are many public and private non-profit post-adoption services available for children and their families. The following persons can apply to the Family Court for an adoption order in Lagos State: 1. The Nigeria program is open. ADOPTION PROCESS IN LAGOS Overview According to Wikipedia, Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person’s biological or legal parent or parents, and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parent or parents. Children adopted abroad will enter as full citizens of the US. House of Mercy is a Lagos based orphanage home providing child protection policies and procedures are in place to ensure children are respected, protected, empowered & active in their own protection.Staff members are skilled, confident and competent. Courts in Nigeria do not allow proxy adoptions (whereby prospective adoptive parents appear in court via an intermediary) to minimize document and identity fraud concerns related to adoptions. 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