The Hague Adoption Convention enters into force
with
respect to the United States on April 1, 2008. Effective
April 1,
2008, intercountry adoptions between the United States and other
Convention countries must comply with the Hague Adoption Convention.
El Salvador is one of VIDA’s smallest and most
unique programs.
Children referred from this program are generally
over
six and sibling groups. Children experience private foster
care,
or are in child caring facilities. The processing time can be
very slow (up to 2 years). El Salvador prefers families who will
consider special needs.
El Salvador Adoption Authority
There are several Salvadoran governmental bodies
involved in the adoption process, including Family Courts and
the
Procuradoria. The Procuradoria is responsible for family
welfare
in El Salvador. The Ministry of Justice oversees the Consejo
de
Menores (Council of Minors) which is responsible for the care
of
orphans and other children in government custody.
El Salvador Adoption Procedures
At this time, the only legal way to take a child
out of
El Salvador is by first adopting the child legally in El
Salvador. Under the Salvadoran law, an orphan is a child
whose
parent have died. An adoptable child can also be a child
surrendered by his/her natural parent(s) for adoption.
However,
under Salvadoran law, to be eligible for adoption, a child with no
identifiable parents must first be legally emancipated and represented
by the Procuradoria.
The INPM [Institutio Nacional de Proteccion del
Menores(National Institution to Protect Minors)] can refer children who
have already passed this stage and are living in government authorized
facilities. However, most adoptions are arranged with the
child’s
biological mother through an attorney. The INMP then
investigates
the circumstances of the child’s family, and first seeks to find a
close relative who may be willing to care of the child. Once
satisfied that the adoption is in the child’s best interest, the INPM
forwards the case to the Procuradoria, which determines whether the
adoptive parents are a suitable match to the child. The
Procuradoria and the INPM then make a final decision on whether a
specific child may be adopted by a particular set of parents.
The
case then goes to a Judge, who issues a final adoption
decree.
This decree is necessary to remove a child to a foreign country and to
obtain the Immigrant visa.
Requirements
Minimum age is 25 years; applicants over 45
years of age will be evaluated by case for infant placements.
Marriage, minimum of five years
Single individuals are not considered in El
Salvador (determined on a case by case basis)
Applicants must be self supporting with a
stable income
No sexual preferences regarding placements,
excepting as special consideration given case by case
Travel
Families, at this time, are routinely required to
travel. Usual in-country stay is five (5) to ten
(10)
working days, dependent upon length of visa processing. Two
visits are possible, first to see the child and then to process the
visa. Your decision to adopt, will be reviewed by the Central
Authority for adoption of El Salvador.
