Ghana Adoptions
Introduction
About the Children
Introduction
Agape Adoptions partners with Love Lane Adoption Agency in Accra, Ghana, which works directly with the Central Adoption Authority (CAA). Agape Adoptions became accredited to work in Ghana in March 2024.
All adoptions from Ghana are completed in accordance with the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption through the Central Authority. More information can be found here.
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
Adopting parents must be at least 25 years of age and at least 21 years older than the child they hope to adopt. If one of the adopting parents is a relative of the child, they must be at least 21 years of age. The maximum age limit for prospective adoptive parents at the time of placement is 55 years old and 65 years old in cases of relative adoption.
Marriage Status
Married couples. Single women with Ghanaian citizenship or residency.
Criminal History
Applicants with a criminal history of child abuse, violence, domestic violence or termination of parental rights are not eligible to adopt.
Health Conditions
Applicants must be healthy with no serious, chronic transmissible diseases (HIV positive, venereal disease, tuberculosis, etc.) or other life-threatening illnesses.
Income
In Ghana, 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.
Children in Home
There are no requirements regarding the number of children in the home.
About the Children
About the Children
About the Children
Children eligible for adoption have medical conditions, are part of a sibling group, or are considered older (9 and up). Examples of common medical conditions are sickle-cell anemia, hepatitis, children who are HIV+, and physical irregularity.
Most children available for adoption are between the ages of 5 to 14; sometimes children between the ages of 1 to 5 become available for adoption.
Once a dossier has been submitted in Ghana, the current referral wait time is estimated at 12-24 months; families open to a child under age of 3 may wait longer. Families open to children with specials needs will likely have a shorter waiting period.
Process & Timeline
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Travel & Bonding Period; 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. Agape Adoptions will submit the completed dossier (including I-800A approval) to LLAA for review and then be transferred to Ghana’s Central Adoption Authority (CAA.) The Central Adoption Authority will match a family with a child according to home study approval parameters.
6. The current referral wait time is estimated at 12-24 months, depending on your openness.
7. Families are free to travel to Ghana once they receive their i800 and Article 5 approval and must schedule a time of arrival in conjunction with the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) who oversees the child’s well-being until the family arrives to begin the bonding period. Families should expect to travel to Ghana three times during the adoption process (see travel and bonding period).
Learn more about the process, timeline, eligibility requirements and more about adopting from Ghana in our General Information Packet.
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Travel and Bonding Periods
Once you accept the referral of a child, there is a wait time where USCIS must send approval for the I800 and the Article 5. A court date is usually given 3 to 6 weeks after the completion of the 30-day bonding period (required).
First trip
· Although both parents are advised to travel to Ghana for the 30-day bonding period, one parent, preferably the mother, must travel to begin the bonding. Both parents are not required to stay throughout the 30 days of bonding but one parent must be present at all times.
· Parents can stay after the bonding while they wait for the DSW to complete a post-bonding report or they can travel back home. The wait time for the completion of the report is usually 2 to 4 weeks.
· The court day is usually 2 to 3 weeks after the completion of the post-bonding report.
Second trip
· Both parents should prepare to travel to Ghana for 7-10 days to attend the court hearing once they have been informed a court date has been set if they are not already in-country (The courts may waive the requirement that one or both parents must attend the court hearing.).
· Once the court hearing is complete, the courts issue the adoption decree within 7 to 10 days. The adoption decree is then used to apply for the Article 23 from the CAA which usually signifies the completion of the adoption.
· Upon receipt of the Article 23 which can be obtained within 2 to 3 days, the family will apply for a birth certificate with their names on as parents of the child and then a passport. This process usually takes 3 to 4 weeks.
· Once the passport is obtained, the family is free to schedule the medical appointment for the child which is required to schedule a visa appointment with the US Embassy.
· Upon receipt of the medical results which will be delivered within 10 days, the family can immediately schedule a visa appointment. Appointments are available as soon as 3 days after receiving the medical results. Visas can be granted same day and the passport be delivered to the family within 3 days.
· Families can schedule to depart Ghana on the same day they receive their visas.
Third trip
The third trip can begin after the court session if the family has left Ghana; the third trip is to apply for and receive the US entry visa for the adopted child.
Post adoption requirements
Ghana requires a minimum of six post adoption reports to be completed: Reports are due at the following intervals upon arrival home: 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, for the first two years then subsequently, annually for the remaining 3 years.
Fees
Travel & Bonding Period; Post Adoption Requirements
Fees
All fees are based on two adoptive parents and one adopted child
Home Study Fee: $2,200
USCIS, Department of State and CEAS Fees: $1,975
Application, parent education, dossier: $4,485
Home Study & Post-placement/post-adoption: $4,075
Agency Fees: $12,000
International Service Fee:
$11,100
Estimated Travel Fees: $5,250 (per trip)
A detailed fee schedule is available upon request