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Panama local time:
Who are we and what services can we provide adoptive families?
We are directors, social workers, clerks, Spanish translators, liaison people, tour guides, and
consultants. We are a family dedicated to matching caring parents with children who need them.
Collectively and officially we are a 501(c) (3) non-profit agency, licensed by the State of
Washington and subject to the laws of this state. We have the experience, expertise, and the
network to handle all aspects of an international adoption in Panama.
An increasing number of American families are looking to Central America as a viable adoption
choice. Panama stands out as an attractive alternative because of the desperate need for finding
loving homes that will offer Panamanian orphans a bright future they will never experience in their
birth country.
We help adoptive families prepare their dossiers in an efficient manner, arrange for their travel
to and within Panama, assign multi-lingual guides for the entire time they are there, and provide
travel and lodging accommodations for every day of the adoptive parents' stay in Panama. We assist
families with each step of the adoptive process, and provide information on all matters relevant to
their adoption, i.e., assign an agency case worker upon request, update the status of their dossiers
both before and after it has been sent to Panama, inform clients of changing requirements brought
about by the Panama Adoption Center or by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, provide
re-adoption assistance for our families, coordinate social activities, and much more.
Who qualifies?
In general, the Ministry of Youth, Childhood, Woman and Family with the Direccion Nacional de Adopciones (DNA) and Children and Minors Courts work together
the process. They are the ones that study the family's dossiers and make the referral on a case by case basis.
The Panamanian government accepts applications for international adoptions from married and single
adoptive parents. Couples and single women qualify for healthy infants. Older children are
available upon request. Sibling groups age available. Parents over 50 may adopt, but the
likelihood of a child eighteen months or older increases. Couples must be married for at least 2 years.
There are many children in Panama institutionalized in Orphanages with minor, correctable special
needs. If you would be willing to adopt a child with special needs you may make this request.
Please talk with us if you are one of those special families.
Children from approximately 6 months to 18 years are available for international adoption. Sibling
groups and multiple adoptions are available. We suggest you let us know in your application
(and letter of intent), the age, sex, and any other personal considerations you have for your
child(ren). We will inform the Direccion Nacional de Adopciones and Courts about your request.
When will you be matched with a baby, and how will you be notified?
After you complete your dossier and it is sent to Panama, it will translated and put into order of
receipt along with many other dossiers from other international couples at the Direccion Nacional de Adopciones. Panamanian families have the priorities on adoptions. After the dossiers are reviewed and analyzed on a case by case basis, we will wait for a referral that may range from 6-10 months depending on the case. All children available for Panamanian international
adoption must be registered with the Direccion Nacional de Adopciones.
Both parents must travel to Panama.
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