|
Intercountry adoption entails the legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from birth parent(s) to you across international borders.
About Family or Blood-related Intercountry Adoption
It is possible to adopt the child of your South African relative and have the child to live with you abroad. If you are in South Africa and the child lives in another country, you can get the child to join you in South Africa once you have adopted the child in the foreign country.
To adopt the child of a relative of yours who is based in South Africa, you must approach the central adoption authority in the country where you live. If there is no competent authority in your country, you can contact International Social Services (ISS) in that country to facilitate the adoption (www.iss-ssi.org).
The ISS is an international not-for-profit organization that pays particular attention to vulnerable expatriate children. It is active in around 140 countries through a network of national branches, social workers, affiliated bureaus, and correspondents.
If the child lives in another country, you must approach the South African Central Authority (Saca), which will refer the matter to an accredited child protection organization. If the child protection organization finds you to be a suitable prospective adoptive parent after screening and assessment, it will compile a comprehensive report and send it to the central adoption authority of the foreign country. The foreign authority will, in turn, investigate and compile a child study report and send it to South Africa.
Should both countries agree to the adoption, you will have to go to the foreign country to finalize the adoption. Family or blood-related adoptions can be done with any country without a working agreement in place (Hague Convention or non-Hague Convention signatory).
What You Should Do.
When South Africa is the country of origin, the procedure is as follows:
- If you are living in a foreign country and want to adopt a South African child related to you, you must contact the central adoption authority in the country where you live.
- An accredited adoption organization will assess and screen you to determine your suitability as a prospective adoptive parent. If the organization finds you to be fit and proper to adopt, it will compile a comprehensive home study report and send it to the Saca, which will, in turn, forward it to an accredited child protection organization.
- The South African child protection organization will investigate and assess the adoptability of the child. The social worker will ensure that every person who ought to consent to the adoption gives consent through the Children's Court.
- Affected parties will be given 60 days in which they can withdraw their consent before the child is considered adoptable.
- The adoption organization will compile a comprehensive child study report and send it to the foreign country.
- Should both countries agree to the adoption, you will have to come to South Africa for the finalization of the adoption.
If you are living in South Africa and want to adopt a child you are related to but who is in a foreign country, the procedure for such adoption is as follows:
- You must contact the Saca, which in turn will refer the matter to an accredited child protection organization.
- The child protection organization will assess and screen you to determine your suitability as a prospective adoptive parent. If the organization finds you to be fit and proper to adopt, it will compile a comprehensive home study report and send it to the foreign adoption authority.
- The foreign adoption authority, through their organization, will investigate the adoptability of the child and compile a comprehensive child study report. The report will be forwarded to the Saca.
- Should both countries agree to the adoption, you will have to travel to the foreign country to finalize the adoption.
How long does it take?
It differs from one case to another.
How much does it cost?
You must pay an accredited child protection organization in respect of intercountry adoption. The below table outlines the equivalent prices it would cost in South African Rand:
| Adoption Costs | |
|---|---|
| Group orientation | R2250 per session |
| Interview/counseling | R250 per hour |
| Home visits | R250 per hour |
| Home-study report | R500 per report |
| Court processes | R500 per day |
| Birth registration | R170 per hour |
| Administration costs | R170 per hour |
| After-care services | R500 once-off payment |
| Origin enquiry/tracing | R200 per hour |
Forms to Complete
In South Africa, all forms are available at your nearest Department of Social Development office. Overseas, you should be able to obtain the necessary paperwork from your country's accredited adoption organization.
Who to Contact
Contact the toll-free line (within South Africa): 0800 60 10 11. Otherwise, contact your country's accredited adoption organization or the ISS.
Reference:
South Africa Government Services (n.d.). Intercountry family adoption. Retrieved 5 April 2018 from https://www.gov.za