Adopting a child from Ghana offers a unique opportunity to deepen your family’s life. Hopscotch Adoptions provides a structured pathway for families interested in international adoption from Ghana. This detailed guide covers the important aspects of the process, from eligibility to integration into your family, so that you understand the critical phases of your adoption journey.
U.S. Legal Requirements for Adoption
Before prospective adoptive parents can adopt a child from Ghana, located in West Africa, and bring them to the United States, they must initially meet specific legal criteria set by their state of residence’s law and the regulations for the US Federal laws. After your agency approves your home study, per your state’s regulations, the study and other necessary documentation is sent to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is responsible for further determining your eligibility to adopt. The general requirements include being a U.S. citizen, exceeding the Internal Revenue’s minimum of 125% poverty level of gross income, and if unmarried, being at least 25 years old. Married couples must adopt jointly, and both partners must meet all legal requirements. Some mental health conditions and criminal experiences may disqualify applicants on a case by case basis.
State and Foreign Country Adoption Requirements
In addition to your state and federal regulations, adoptive parents must comply with the foreign country’s requirements. Like all other foreign countries, Ghana, an African country, also imposes specific requirements for bringing home an adopted child. These include residency requirements, mental and medical health, and additional legal criteria to make sure the adoption serves the best interests of the child.
Eligibility and Initial Steps
- Determine Eligibility: Begin by assessing your eligibility based on U.S. and Ghanaian requirements. This includes age, marital status, financial stability, medical and mental health conditions, and criminal background checks, since the age of 18 years. The requirements are applicable to all adult household members.
- Home Study: Participate in a comprehensive home study to evaluate your readiness and suitability to adopt a child. This involves a licensed agency assessment of your family background, health, and personal relationships, in addition to the other criteria mentioned previously.
- Petition USCIS: Submission of the USCIS petition to be approved to adopt a child within specific parameters from a specific country. The petition for Ghana is an I-800a.
- Prepare the Dossier: Compile a dossier with essential legal documents to include the applicants’ birth certificates, marriage licenses, death or divorce decrees, medical approval letters, personal reference letters, employment verification letters, and financial statements, etc. This dossier is a critical resource for the legal proceedings in Ghana, whereby the foreign authorities will make a determination of the family’s suitability to adopt a child from their country.
- Education: Each family is required to complete the education and training necessary to prepare the adoptive family to ensure the most likely success of your child’s adoption. Hopscotch provides a sum of 47 hours of education and training which also includes education and counseling specific to the child you intend to adopt. Hopscotch offers free education to families indefinitely.
Intercountry Adoption Process in Ghana
- File Paperwork with Ghanaian Authorities: Hopscotch Adoptions will assist you to begin the adoption process by filing the necessary application and dossier with the Central Authority in Ghana. This includes the dossier, USCIS approval, application to the Central Authority, and a formal requests for an approval to adopt from Ghana.
- Work with Local Partners: Hopscotch Adoptions has Foreign Supervised Provider agreements with local partners in Ghana who will facilitate the adoption process, guiding your case through Ghana’s legal system, helping with the necessary bureaucratic procedures, arranging necessary appointments and keeping the agency and client apprised of the status.
International and U.S. Legal Framework
- Hague Adoption Convention Compliance: Hopscotch Adoptions is a Hague Accredited adoption agency and will help make sure all processes comply with the Hague Adoption Convention, which governs international adoption and promotes ethical adoption practices, whereby the best interest of the child is paramount to the entire process.
Travel, Bonding, Finalizing, and Visa Application
- Travel to Ghana: When the time comes, Hopscotch will assist you in planning travel to Ghana, where upon arrival you will meet the child and begin the bonding process.
- Bonding Period: While in Ghana, you’ll spend time bonding with your child under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Welfare. This crucial period helps form a familial bond and allows parents to understand their child’s cultural background.
- Finalizing the Adoption and Visa Application: After the US Embassy receives the Article 23 from the Central Authority of Ghana, the US Embassy will conduct an I-604 Orphan Investigation to ensure the child’s eligibility is accurate and only then will the US Embassy issue an Article 5. The Article 5 permits the application to the court for the child’s adoption hearing. After the hearing, Hopscotch’s foreign supervised provider partners will apply for your child’s new birth certificate, Ghanaian passport, make an appointment with the embassy to complete a visa medical examination. When this has occurred, Hopscotch will file the DS-260 online application for the visa appointment. You’ll appear before the embassy with documentation and the child to be interviewed. If all is in order an appointment will be given to you to return and pick up your child’s US visa to finally return home to the US as a family.
Post-Adoption Requirements
- Post-Adoption Reporting: Once you return to the U.S., you must fulfill post-adoption reporting requirements. These reports track the child’s integration and development and are essential for monitoring the child’s well-being. The Department of State and every accredited agency take this responsibility seriously as any deviation from any family’s reporting could jeopardize future adoptions being permitted to US citizens.
- U.S. Citizenship for the Adopted Child: Upon arrival to the US, under an IH3 visa, your child is immediately declared a US Citizen and will receive a Certificate of Citizenship by regular post in about 6 months. If your child is 14 years of age or older, an appointment will be given to your family to attend an interview at the nearest USCIS field office. After this brief interview, your child will be presented the Certificate of Citizenship. Should your child enter the US under an IH4 visa, the child’s adoption must be re-finalized in your state of residence to be eligible to make an application for Citizenship and the child will receive their Certificate of Citizenship within 6 months. U.S. citizenship for your adopted child, ensures they receive all the rights and privileges of a U.S. citizen.
Support and Resources
Hopscotch Adoptions provides resources and local referrals to appropriate professional services to support your adoptive family in integrating your adoptive child into their new home environment. These resources include educational materials, cultural integration tips, and referral to professional support services.
Additionally, we provide access to a comprehensive list of resources on our website, ranging from state government links for legal requirements to medical resources tailored for the needs of internationally adopted children. Prospective parents can find guidance on everything from obtaining U.S. citizenship for their child to connecting with medical specialists for international adoptees.
Connect with Hopscotch Adoptions Today!
It’s important to review the entire adoption process to make sure that all steps were conducted in compliance with both U.S. and Ghanaian laws. Be sure to reflect on your adoption journey and the transformative impact it has had on your family, as adopting from Ghana is a complex but deeply rewarding journey.
By understanding and meticulously following these general steps shared in this article, families can expect to successfully navigate this process with the support and experience from Hopscotch Adoptions. We are dedicated to making sure that each family’s journey, to bring a new child home, is smooth as possible and will provide a child with a nurturing, safe, and loving environment.
