Cabo Verde Adoptions
Introduction
About the Children
Introduction
Agape Adoptions is proud to be the first U.S. based adoption agency to offer an adoption program for Cabo Verde. Cabo Verde is a signatory to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter- country Adoption. This means that all adoptions between Cabo Verde and the United States must comply with the Convention's requirements and related U.S. laws.
Agape Adoptions is a Hague-accredited agency recognized by the Intercountry Adoption Accreditation and Maintenance Entity (IAAME). Adoptions are completed working directly with Cabo Verde’s Central Adoption Authority, Office of the Attorney General of Cabo Verde (PGR - Procuradoria Geral da República). The Central Authority works closely with ICCA (Instituto Cabo-Verdiano para Crianças e Adolescentes, the office in Cabo Verde responsible for child welfare.
Please note that the Cabo Verde adoption program is currently limited to known children or family adoptions.
Agape Adoptions hosts virtual information meetings for those interested in adopting through our programs.
Eligibility
About the Children
Introduction
Citizenship
One adoptive parent must be a U.S. citizen.
Age
The age difference between parent and child must be no less than 16 years and no more than 40 years.
Marital Status
Couples must be married. There is no marriage duration requirement. Single persons are not eligible.
Financial Stability
There is no specified minimum amount requirement. However, the applicants need to be gainfully employed and families must meet the income requirements provided by the USCIS in order for the adopted child to immigrate.
Health
Prospective parents must be mentally and physically healthy with no serious, chronic transmissible diseases (HIV positive, venereal disease, tuberculosis, etc.) or other life-threatening illnesses.
Criminal Record: Prospective parents must not have a criminal record.
About the Children
About the Children
About the Children
The Cabo Verde adoption program is currently limited to known children or family adoptions.
Because Cabo Verde is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Cabo Verde must meet the requirements of the Convention to be eligible for intercountry adoption. For example, the adoption may take place only if the competent authorities of Cabo Verde have determined that placement of the child within Cabo Verde has been given due consideration and that an intercountry adoption is in the child’s best interests.
Since Cabo Verde is a new adoption program, the central authority has not yet prepared files for waiting children who are eligible for adoption. We hope this changes in the future, allowing children with special needs to be matched with families.
Process & Timeline
Travel & Post Adoption Requirements
Travel & Post Adoption Requirements
1. Complete the Application for Adoption for preliminary approval by Agape Adoptions.
2. Start the adoption Home Study Report; generally about 3-4 months to completion.
3. Submit dossier documents to Agape Adoptions – families can collect their dossier documents during the home study phase.
4. Once the Home Study is finalized, Agape Adoptions will submit and file immigration documents with the USCIS office. Approximately 2-3 months to receive I-800A approval.
5. After USCIS determines that you are suitable and eligible to adopt and approves the Form I-800A application, Agape will provide your approval notice, home study, and any other required information to the adoption authority in Cabo Verde as part of your adoption application (dossier). Cabo Verde’s adoption authority will review your application to determine whether you are also suitable and eligible to adopt under Cabo Verde’s law.
6. Receive a referral for a child from Central Authority.
7. Apply to USCIS for the Child to be Found Provisionally Eligible for Immigration to the United States.
8. After provisional approval of Form I-800 petition, Agape will submit a visa application to the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Praia responsible for issuing immigrant visas to children from Cabo Verde.
Learn more about the process, timeline, eligibility requirements and more about adopting from Cabo Verde in our General Information Packet.
Travel & Post Adoption Requirements
Travel & Post Adoption Requirements
Travel & Post Adoption Requirements
Families will travel to Cabo Verde to complete the final court process, obtain the child’s passport, and facilitate adjustment and bonding with the child.
The process also includes the US Embassy visa procedures, which involve a medical exam.
Families should plan to stay in Cabo Verde for approximately 15-21 days.
Families are required to complete a minimum of 3 post placement reports at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after arrival home with your child.
Fees
Travel & Post Adoption Requirements
Fees
Families should budget approximately $28,000-$36,000 to cover the costs of completing an adoption from Cabo Verde, which includes travel fees.
Agape Adoptions can provide a detailed fee schedule via email.
Families working with Agape Adoptions will be able to utilize the services of Your Adoption Finance Coach to help with funding your adoption.
A detailed fee schedule is available upon request.