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CCAI’s Colombia adoption program is a fast-growing, robust program that offers both traditional and host-to-adopt adoption options for children of all ages and sibling groups!
In light of the many children in need of a permanent and loving family, CCAI launched its Colombia adoption program in 2020. Children eligible for adoption from Colombia tend to be older with varying degrees of medical needs. These resilient and hopeful children bring with them their rich and unique culture and history!
Many families who ultimately adopt from Colombia first host their child(ren) through one of several hosting organizations, allowing them to spend quality time with the child(ren) they hope to adopt before beginning the adoption process.
Child Age Range: Usually 7-17 years (rarely children aged 1-6)
Sibling Groups: Yes
Marriage Length: 3+ years preferred, with no more than 2 divorces per applicant
Single Women: Yes, although single applicants must be open to adopting children 10+ years or with special needs
Expat Accepted: Yes, but on a case-by-case basis. The ICBF (Colombia’s Central Authority), wants to make sure the Expat’s adoptive child(ren) will not be delayed from becoming a US citizen and the Expat family will comply with all of their post-adoption requirements/reports
In country travel: One trip, approximately 3-5 weeks in length
Applicants should be between 25 to 50 years of age, although exceptions can be made to the upper age range for those wishing to adopt children 10+ years or with special needs. In general, parents should be at least 15 but no more than 50 years older than the child to be adopted.
Couples should be married at least 3 years (may include time residing together before marriage) and have no more than 2 divorces per applicant.
Single applicants may apply, however must be open to adopting children 9+ yrs or with special needs.
One year or more between any previous adoption and submission of Colombia dossier is preferred.
Application
5 working days
Approved Home Study
Approx. 8 -12 weeks (this timeline may vary on your individual home study provider)
Child Match
Approx. 6 – 15 months
Dossier
Approx. 4 – 7 months
Travel to Colombia
Approx. 9 – 14 weeks after child match with a 3-5 week stay in country
Successful completion of 12+ parent training hours which meets the requirements of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption and CCAI. All Parent Training is covered in CCAI fees.
One trip is required at the end of the process, lasting approximately 3-5 weeks. Both parents in a married couple are required to be in Colombia for the first 1-2 weeks for bonding, however after that point one parent can return to the U.S., while the other remains in country with the adoptive child(ren) to complete the remaining adoption steps.
Absolutely no hidden charges, no last minute surprises!
CCAI is proud to be a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable adoption agency. We strive to keep adoption affordable so more children will have the blessing of a loving and permanent family.
We are financially accountable to you as the American public and as an adoptive family. Our solemn promise to you is: Absolute integrity with no hidden charges, no last minute surprises.
Please select your state below for a clear and comprehensive list of the fees and expenses necessary to complete your Colombia adoption:
All Other States
Colorado
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Texas, Wyoming
Maria is a resilient 9-year-old girl from Colombia. She loves attending children’s parties and going to swimming pools. Maria likes to dance, play with her peers, and go to the beach!
CCAI has not only partnered with host agencies, but we have also run our own host program through Colombia.
For summer 2023, we are partnering with Project One-Forty-Three, a hosting organization. CCAI will be your adoption facilitator.
Together, we are seeking adoption-minded host families to host tweens and teens. Often, this may be the last chance for a child to find a family before they age out of the Colombian foster care system.
Hosting is an excellent opportunity to get to know a child prior to adoption and many forever families have been created through our programs.
Families adopting from Colombia must work with a Hague-accredited or COA-accredited home study agency to complete their home study report. If you are living in CO, FL, GA, TX, or WY, CCAI will be your home study provider. For all other states, please visit the link below to find a home study provider in your area.
Colombia requires 15 hours of face-to-face (live) parent training for all families. Parent training is included in CCAI’s program fees. Visit our parent training website to view our Hague-compliant, program-compliant, in-person course offerings.
Information from the Centers for Disease Control for those traveling to Colombia.
Information on known health risks via the World Health Organization’s Country Profile for Colombia.
| Expense | Amount | Pmt Method | Pay To | Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $250 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Application submission |
| Child Abuse Record Search | $35/Family | Check | CO Dept of Human Service | Application submission |
| IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee | $500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (Sent to IAAME) | After App Approval |
| First Program Fee (Includes Home Study) | $5,700 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | After App Approval |
| CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search | $39.50 per person | Money Order | Colorado Bureau of Investigation | After App Approval |
| USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting | $775 plus $85/adult | Check/Money Order | US Dept. of Homeland Security | Upon I-800A submission |
| Dossier Preparation | Approx. $450-$900 | Check/Money Order | Secretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s) | As preparing Dossier |
| Second Program Fee | $5,050 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| CCCWA Fee | $1,270 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| Third Program Fee | $5,500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee | $300 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Court Validation Deposit | $200 | Check | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable) | $450 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Visa to enter China | $140 (plus courier fee) | Check/Credit Card | Chinese Consulate via a courier/travel agency | Approximately one month before travel to China |
| US Domestic & International Airfare | $1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket) | Credit Card | A travel agency/airline of your choice | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| In China Travel & Accommodations | Approx. $4,000-$4,400 for two adults | ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (wired to China) | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| Adoption Registration and Notarization | $800 – $1,000 | Cash | Local government in China | In China |
| Orphanage Donation | (Voluntary) | Cash or Wire | Orphanage | In China |
| Child’s Passport | $100-$150 | Cash | Local passport agency | In China |
| Food | $700 – $800 per couple | Cash/Credit Card | Hotel(s), restaurant(s) | In China |
| Child Physical & Photo | $130-$150 | Cash | Clinic | In Guangzhou, China |
| Child U.S. Entry Visa | $325 | Cash or Check | U.S. Consulate | In China |
| Court Validation Fee | $167 | Check | County Court | After U.S. Return |
| Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate | $37.75 | Check | Colorado Vital Statistics Office | After U.S. Return |
| Lutheran Family Services | $250 | Check | Lutheran Family Services via CCAI | When Home Study is approved by CCAI |
