Haiti Adoption
Haiti is a nation of vast mountains, valleys, plateaus, and small plains that are all united under the warm Caribbean sun. This island, discovered by Christopher Columbus on his maiden voyage, is the location of the only successful slave revolt in world history, and “the first black republic in modern times.” Haitians are best known for their incomparable creativity and for an unmatched sense of humor that have carried the people through many centuries of political turmoil, repression, and economic hardships.
Why Choose Haiti?
- Preschool- and school-aged children are most readily available
- Prospective adoptive families may visit the orphanage during the adoption process
- Special needs children are also available
- Sibling groups are available
- Haiti is one of the least expensive programs
Location
- The children come from two different orphanages in Port-au-Prince
Reasons for Availability
- Abandonment due to overpopulation
- Lack of good medical care
- Parents cannot care for their children due to severe poverty
- The parents are deceased
Children’s Situation
AAI works exclusively with two orphanages in Port-au-Prince. One of these orphanages is for infants, while the other orphanage is for older children. AAI’s contacts visit both orphanages regularly in order to ensure the health and well-being of the children.
Eligibility for Families
- Only heterosexual applicants are eligible
- Married couples or single female applicants are accepted
- Applicants must be active in their Christian faith and submit a written description of their spiritual beliefs and practices
- One parent must be at least 30 years old
- Must be married for 10 years (families may be eligible for an exception which is determined on a case-by-case basis)
- If older than 45, a guardianship plan must be indicated in the home study
- Psychological evaluation is required
- Adoptive parents who have biological children must be granted a presidential waiver from Haiti in order to become eligible to adopt. Historically, presidential waivers have been routinely granted to families with three or less biological children. Families with more than three biological children were granted waivers on a case by case basis.
- AAI is accepting families who have less than five children. Families with five children or more are not eligible at this time.
Procedure
You will first submit a preliminary application and Haiti addendum to AAI, meet with a consultant for an International Adoption Awareness Meeting, and then complete your formal application. You will then complete your home study, your USCIS paperwork, and prepare your dossier. Upon completion of your dossier, you will have your dossier translated into French and authenticated in the U.S. Then your documents will be sent to Haiti. Upon approval, you will either select a child out of the children available for adoption or wait for a referral. Once you formally accept the referral, the adoption process will begin. When the process is completed, you will travel to Haiti to bring your child home.
Travel
Adoptive parents are not required to travel to Haiti. However, it is strongly recommended that one or both parents travel to bring the child home. An escort is available for families that are unable to travel.
Due to the nature of international adoption, the information on this page is subject to change without notice.
