Introduction
The Uganda adoption program is a good fit for families who meet the following criteria:
- Currently live in Uganda and plan to live in Uganda for the duration of the adoption process
- If not currently living in Uganda, have the ability for both parents to live in Uganda for at least 12 months after the completion of the home study and once a child is identified
- Have a pre-identified child/relative case
Because Uganda's central adoption authority does not provide oversight to the international adoption process, adopting from Uganda can be a challenging, unpredictable process and requiring an intense partnership between our agency and our families. Agape Adoptions maintains close watch on developments in Uganda so that we can provide families with the most up-to-date, accurate information on their adoption proceedings. Agape Adoptions completes all Uganda adoptions under the Universal Accreditation Act guidelines.
Eligibility Requirements & Paperwork Process
Citizenship
One adoptive parent must be a US citizen
Age
Parents must be at least 25 years old and at least 21 years older than the child
Marriage Status
Both single female applicants and married couples are eligible
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
Income
Families must be financially stable
Children in Home
No requirements regarding the number of children in the home
Residence
If not currently living in Uganda, the ability for both parents to live in Uganda for at least 12 months after the completion of the home study and once a child is identified. Ugandan law requires non-Ugandan prospective adoptive parents to spend one year living in Uganda and foster the child(ren) they intend to adopt under the supervision of a probation and social welfare office.
About the Children
About the Children
Agape Adoptions has experience with helping families to process an adoption for a child that is known to them, such as a relative adoption. If you are interested in adopting a child that you already know, please reach out to us so that we can learn more about your situation to determine if we can help; agape@agapeadoptions.org.
The children who are available for adoption have been abandoned or relinquished by birth parents or first families; occasionally children with medical special needs are available for adoption.
Agape Adoptions primarily advocates for Ugandan children over the age of three, with special needs.
Process & Timeline
Complete adoption application for preliminary approval by Agape Adoptions. Provide information as requested for pre identified situations.
Families complete an intake call with us before being accepted into our Uganda program. The Uganda adoption program is a very difficult and challenging process, and we want to make sure that families have a clear understanding of the challenges.
Complete adoption home study report which generally takes 3-4 months.
Complete and submit immigration forms.
Assemble, notarize, and submit dossier documents to Agape Adoptions.
Upon completion, Agape Adoptions will send the dossier to our FSP in Uganda for in country processing.
Bonding Period and Post Adoption Requirements
If not currently residing in Uganda, travel to begin the fostering period will occur once your home study is completed. Both parents are required to live in Uganda for at least 12 months after the completion of the home study and once a child is identified. Though recommended, both parents are not required to stay in Uganda at the same time. In cases where both parents do not stay for the duration, it is possible that this can cause processing delays.
Post Adoption Requirements:
Three post placement reports are due within the first year. These reports must be completed by a social worker – 3, 6 and 12 months after arrival.
Families may be required to provide two post placement reports twice yearly until the child is 18 years old, depending on the Ugandan court ruling.
Fees
Fees
All fees are based on two adoptive parents and one adopted child
Agency Fees: $13,500
USCIS, Department of State and CEAS Fees: $2010
Application, parent education, dossier and other paperwork processing fees: $5735
Home Study Fee and Post-placement/post-adoption:
$3325
International Service Fee:
$8750
Estimated Travel Fees: $4,000-$8475 (per trip)
A detailed fee schedule is available upon request