Flag

An official website of the United States government

Travel Advisory Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution Travel Advisory Level 2: Last Update: Reissued with updates to health information.   Read More...
Adoption
Why Adopt?
Who Can Adopt?
Adopting or Fostering a Child
By
13 MINUTE READ

Why Adopt?

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 provides for automatic naturalization of a child who both has been legally adopted by a U.S. citizen and has lawfully entered the U.S. as an immigrant. This means the child “automatically” becomes a U.S. citizen as soon as he/she meets all of the requirements stipulated in the law. For further information, see the Travel.State.Gov webpage regarding International Adoptions.

The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 also provides a method for expeditious naturalization of a child adopted by a U.S. citizen residing abroad. U.S. citizen adoptive parents who are legal residents of The Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos Islands, and who don’t intend to move to the U.S. in the near future may contact the consular section at acsnassau@state.gov for information about the specific requirements.

By

Who Can Adopt?

“The child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. … [I]ntercountry adoption may offer the advantage of a permanent family to a child for whom a suitable family cannot be found in his or her State of origin.” – Hague Adoption Convention, Preamble

Every child benefits from a loving home in deeply profound ways.  Intercountry adoption has made this permanently possible for hundreds of thousands of children worldwide.  When children cannot remain with a relative, and new parents within their communities cannot be found, intercountry adoption opens another pathway to children to receive the care, security, and love that a permanent family can provide.

 

Some additional resources:

  • Child Welfare Information Gateway – A service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Medline Plus – A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
  • A Healthy Beginning: Important Information for Parents of Internationally Adopted Children (PDF 167KB) – a brochure from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“My Administration remains committed to helping every child find a loving home.” – President Barack Obama, Presidential Proclamation of National Adoption Month 2012.

By

Adopting or Fostering a Child

Persons who have no children and are interested in expanding their family can adopt or provide foster care for children.

Eligibility 

Eligibility is based on suitability of the following items related to the applicant:

  • Finances.
  • Health.
  • Living accommodations.
  • Clean Police Record.
  • Marriage Certificate if applicable.
  • Divorce Decree if applicable.
  • The applicant or one of the applicants has attained the age of 25 and is at least 21 years older than the infant.
  • The applicant has attained 18 years of age and is a relative to the infant.
  • The applicant is the mother or father of the child.

Process 

  1. The applicant visits the Placement Unit making a request to the Social Services Representative (SSR).
  2. The SSR conducts a preliminary interview to assess the applicant’s eligibility.
  3. The case is then assigned to another SSR.
  4. The SSR conducts an initial interview with the applicant(s).
  5. The SSR provides the applicant with a listing of all required documents.
  6. Following the initial interview, a home visit is conducted and an Adoption Home Study Report (AHSR) is compiled.
  7. The AHSR is presented to the Adoption Committee to make a decision.
  8. The applicant is then informed of the status.
  9. The child is then placed in the adoptive home.

Note: There will be Pre-adoptive Home Visits if the applicant(s) retain a lawyer to complete the process.

This service can be accessed at the following locations:

The Placement Unit
RND Plaza
John F. Kennedy Drive
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 323-0171 or 323-3859 or 364-9670
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Application Form(s) 

Application to become foster or adoptive parents.

Supporting Documents 

For Citizens

  • Passport.
  • Birth Certificate.
  • Police Record.
  • Current photos.
  • Motivational letter.
  • Completed medical form.

For non-citizens

  • Passport.
  • Birth Certificate.
  • Police Record.
  • Permanent Residency.
  • Current photos.
  • Motivational letter.
  • Completed medical form.

Turn-around time 

  •  The time frame varies depending on the submission of required documentation.

Deadline 

  • Applicants are allowed a minimum of six months to submit all documents.

Related Fee(s) 

  • There are no fees associated with this service.

For more information please contact 

Department of Social Services
Clarence Bain Building
Thompson Boulevard
Nassau
New Providence
The Bahamas
Tel. (242)-502-6025

Outreach Centres
Department of Social Services
Nassau and Family Islands

Horseshoe Drive/Pitt Road
Oakes Field
Tel. (242) 322-7121/5
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Wulff Road Centre
National Insurance Building
Tel. (242) 356-9391-4
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Robinson Road Centre
Alexander House
Montell Heights
Tel. (242) 397-2524
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Fox Hill Centre
Park Plaza
Fox Hill Round About
Tel. (242) 364-2200
Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Evergreen, U.S. Citizen Services