How to Adopt From South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA ADOPTION OVERVIEW
All God’s Children International is one of three U.S. agencies accredited to provide adoption services for children in South Africa. The country of South Africa is one of the first African nations to embrace the regulations of the Hague Convention and AGCI is one of the only agencies with 3 Hague-accredited programs in Africa!
Tragically, disease, unemployment, political unrest, and numerous other factors have led to a devastating orphan crisis in South Africa. Children have been abandoned or relinquished, often with medical needs that require special services. Many orphans are being cared for in foster homes or small institutions.
Christian Adoption Agency, All God’s Children International began working directly in partnership with Johannesburg Child Welfare Society (JCW) in South Africa to place South African orphans in loving adoptive families in 2018. JCW is a social service organization that has been serving South African families since 1909.
- Most children available for adoption are between the ages of 2-8.
- All children eligible for adoption have medical conditions, are part of a sibling group, or are considered older orphans.
- Timeframe: 2-3+ years. Timeframe is from registered dossier to completion. Timeframes are dependent on family’s openness to medical conditions, gender, and age of child.
- Complete a FREE Pre-App to view waiting children.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT FROM SOUTH AFRICA?
Age of Parents
Married couples and single women must be between 25-48 years old.
Marital Status
Married couples must be married at least one year. If there is a history of divorce, the current marriage must be at least 2 years. Each spouse may have no more than two divorces which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Children in Family
Couples with four of fewer minor children and single women with two or fewer minor children are welcome to adopt from South Africa.
Income
Families must have an income of at least $15,000 per family member, including the adopted child.
Criminal History
Applicants with a criminal history will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Medical History
Applicants without a past or current diagnosis of a life-threatening or communicable disease or other condition that impairs their ability to parent and/or the quality of life of a child are eligible to adopt. All other medical conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ADOPT FROM SOUTH AFRICA?
There are so many ways to fund your adoption! You can learn more about AGCI specific grants, adoption loans, and employee benefits and more on our How to Fund Page!
AGENCY FEES
APPLICATION: This non-refundable fee covers the cost of a review of your application to confirm your eligibility for your desired program.
U.S. AGENCY*: Processing expenses for AGCI include, but are not limited to, personnel costs, administrative overhead, operational costs, staff training and education, state, federal, and international licensing and accreditations, oversight and supervision of cooperating agencies, post-adoption support services, communications and insurance. The agency fee covers AGCI’s cost to facilitate your adoption with agency and government officials in the United States and abroad.
*If adopting siblings, agency fees increase.
HOME STUDY AND POST-ADOPTION
HOME STUDY SERVICES: These fees cover the services needed to prepare and complete your adoption home study. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
POST-ADOPTION REPORTS: These fees cover the cost for your home study agency to provide post-placement visits and reports upon arrival home. These fees vary depending on your home study agency.
INTERNATIONAL FEES
These fees cover the cost of facilitating an international adoption in South Africa. These fees include, but are not limited to costs related to personnel, administration, training and education, legal fees and communications associated with government and agency authorities, government fees, and care of your child prior to the completion of your adoption.
FEE DISCLOSURE
All fees paid to AGCI are paid in advance of service. AGCI fees are non-refundable and may not be waived. If services are terminated and a refund is due, all refunds will be processed within 60 days of withdrawal and/or closure of the adoption file upon receiving the Adoption Termination Contract.
ADDITIONAL & THIRD PARTY EXPENSES
Additional or third-party expenses are outlined in the provided Fee Schedule.
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families…” Psalm 68:5-6
HOW TO ADOPT A CHILD FROM SOUTH AFRICA
STEP ONE
Once contracted with AGCI, your next steps are to begin your home study, education, and dossier.
STEP TWO
Once your dossier is registered, the Central Authority places families on their waiting list until a child is referred. Once information on the child is received, you will have two weeks to make an informed decision about accepting the referral of the child or children matched with your family. Wait times vary depending on your family’s openness to age, number of children and identified specialized needs.
STEP THREE
Parents travel to meet your child and finalize the adoption! In-country travel typically spans 11-17 weeks.
STEP FOUR
Welcome home! AGCI and South Africa require post-adoption reports prepared by a licensed social worker to be submitted on the 3, 6, and 12-month anniversaries of your child’s arrival into the U.S. Additional reports completed by the parents are submitted in years 2-5. AGCI is here for support throughout your child’s life—connect with us at any time for ongoing support services!
SOUTH AFRICA ADOPTION TEAM
SOUTH AFRICA IN-COUNTRY TEAM
AGCI partners with the Johannesburg Child Welfare Society (JCW) in South Africa, which works directly under the authority of the Central Authority, Department of Social Development.
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.” – Proverbs 13
