Kenya Adoption: Rules

Adopting a child from another country can be difficult, and a Kenya adoption is no exception. The amount of red tape can be overwhelming, and the process can be lengthy and time-consuming. Knowing the proper procedures can greatly speed up the process of going through a Kenyan adoption.

Who is Eligible?

To be allowed a Kenya adoption, there must be two married parents involved. Adoptions will not be allowed for a single applicant, gay or lesbian couples, or any applicant who has been charged and convicted of an offence against children. One of the applicant couple must be more than 25 years old and more than 21 years older than the child to be adopted.

The child in question must be at least 6 weeks old and officially registered with a recognized adoption society. Any child over 14 years of age must give his or her consent to the adoption.

How Long does it Take?

Part of the Kenya adoption process is a 3-month long stay in Kenya to live with the child. This is actually the very first step, and most other legal proceedings take place after this residency is complete. The rest of the process will likely take another 3 months. So you will need to allow for about 6 months to complete the adoption.

After you have completed the adoption, you are still required to submit status reports (with current photos) for 5 years. Such reports are required quarterly for the first 2 years, and then just semi-annually for the remaining 3 years.

Organizations to Help

You should get in touch with a number of different agencies, to make sure you are getting the most current and accurate information about your adoption. If you are an American citizen, the US State Department has a lot of information on overseas adoptions. You can also contact the Kenyan embassy in your home country for some direction as well. Adoption groups like Africa's Angels are also very helpful sources of information, especially if you are looking for a registered Kenyan adoption agency.

Getting a US Visa

Adopting a child doesn't make them an automatic citizen of your home country, particularly if you live in the United States. You will still need to apply for an immigrant visa for your adopted child. Contact your local state department office for the proper forms and requirements.

This article should not be considered legal advice. If you are thinking about adopting a child from Kenya, do your research through the consulate for all the exact details. And don't even think about pursuing a Kenya adoption without the services of a recommended lawyer.

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