Apply For Adopt a Child in Dominica
- Find the child (under 18 years old) that is to be adopted.
- Welfare Division can only identify child when parents declare that they are willing to adopt the child.
- Choose an attorney who will make the necessary documents available to present during the hearing before a judge of the High Court. The fees are determined by the Attorney. This will vary.
- An Welfare officer or Social Worker recognized by the Attorney will be appointed as the Guardian Ad Litem. One of the responsibilities for Guardians is to Guardian is to write an Social Enquiry Report which will provide the Court whether all the conditions have been satisfied for the adoption. Guardians also play as a supervisor with respect to the child prior to adoption.
- A petitioner(s), parent(s) of a child and the child, if they are in a position to be interrogated in the presence of an attorney known as the Guardian Ad Litem. The petitioner(s) who are residents of another country must travel to Dominica for the purpose of being interviewed.
- The Guardian Ad Litem must be satisfied with the information provided during the interviews as well as any documents submitted by the Attorney at Law for the purpose of recommending that the adoption be approved.
- A Guardian Ad Litem must also examine all documents that are necessary to the Adoption such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and marriage certificates etc.
- It is the responsibility of petitioner(s), parent(s) as well as the child and Guardian Ad Litem have to attend the court hearing, which usually occurs inside the Judges Chambers.
Contact the authorities to obtain additional information:
- Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs
- 1st Floor,
- Government Headquarters,
- Roseau,
- 00109-8000
- Commonwealth of Dominica
- Tel: (767) 266 3349
- Fax: (767) 449-8220
- This link gives contact form: Contact Form
Office Locations and Contacts
Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs1st Floor,
Government Headquarters,
Roseau,
00109-8000
Commonwealth of Dominica
Tel: (767) 266 3349
Fax: (767) 449-8220
The following link will open a contact form: Contact Form
Instructions
PROVISONS GOING OVER THE LEGAL SYSTEM:
- Applicant must be aged 25 or older.
- The order will not be issued in the event that the applicant is less than 21 years old than the child in respect of the applicant’s application.
- If the parent and the child fall within the prohibited levels of consanguinity (family relations) the Court can, if it deems it appropriate, issue an decision despite the fact that the applicant is less than twenty-one years younger than the infant.
- An order cannot be issued in any circumstance in which the sole applicant is male and the child is a female, unless exceptional circumstances justify the issuance of an Order.
- Both parents have to give their consent. However, the consent of a parent can be waived in specific circumstances. However, consent can be disregarded in accordance with:
- One spouse isn’t identified.
- Spouse is incapable of giving consent
- Separated spouses living together
- Non-resident applicants must convince the judge that they are suitable and appropriate to adopt the child. This can be done by providing the evidence of an institution that is recognized from the location of residence, which is usually one that is a Social Work Agency.
- The impact the effect of Adoption Orders is that Adoption Order is so that after the order is signed all rights, duties, obligations, and liabilities of the parent or parents, guardians or parents of the child adopted with respect to the future care, maintenance, as well as the education and care of the child adopted will be dissolved and transferred in and exercised by and enforced on behalf of the adopted parent.
- The applicant, or in instances of spouses, at the very minimum one spouse should attend the time of hearing the request.
Documentation is needed
This guideline provides details on the possibility of adopting a child from Dominica.