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United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
May 24,1999

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION-NICARAGUA

  1. Disclaimer
  2. General
  3. Availability Of Children For Adoptions
  4. Nicaraguan Adoption Authority
  5. Residence Requirements
  6. Authentication Of Documents
  7. Adoption Agencies And Attorneys
  8. Time Frame
  9. Travel Of The Child
  10. Nicaraguan Embassy And Consulate In U.S
  11. U.S. Fees
  12. Additional Information
  13. American Embassy Assistance
  14. Problems
  15. Visa Questions

 

 

 

1. Disclaimer:

The information in this circular relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is provided for general information only. Questions involving interpretation of specific foreign laws should be addressed to foreign.

2. General

Nicaraguan law allows only for the adoption of children by Nicaraguan citizens or permanent residents of Nicaragua. In very limited situations in the past a few exceptions to the requirement that adoptive parents be National Citizens or Permanent Residents of Nicaragua have been allowed in instances where Nicaraguan authorities have found that such adoptions appear to be in the child's best interest. Full adoptions must take place in Nicaragua. Generally, it is not possible to obtain guardianship of a child to be adopted abroad. Prospective adoptive parents must have a permanent residence in Nicaragua and must plan to stay in the country until the child becomes and adult though these restrictions may be waived.

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3. Availability of children for adoptions

Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans:

Fiscal IR-3 Immigrant Visas IR-4 Immigrant Visas
Year Issued to Nicaraguan Issued to Nicaraguan
Orphans Adopted Abroad Orphans Adopted in U.S.

FY-1995 10 0
FY-1996 14 0
FY-1997 16 0
FY-1998 16 0

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4. Nicaraguan adoption authority

The FONIF (Fondo Nicaraguense Para la Ninez Y la Familia) is the Government of Nicaragua institution responsible for adoptions.

NICARAGUAN ADOPTIONS PROCEDURES: The child must be either orphaned or abandoned to qualify for adoption. A child is considered an orphan if the parent (s) registered on the birth certificate is/are deceased. Parental abandonment must be an unconditional and irreversible break with the child. A child is not considered to be abandoned if FONIF is able to place the child in the custody of a relative. The adoption must take place in Nicaragua before the child leaves the country.

5. Residence Requirements

According to Nicaraguan law, prospective adoptive parents must either be Nicaraguan citizens or have permanent residence in Nicaragua and plan to remain in Nicaragua until the child reaches the age of majority. Certain requirements regarding residence and plans to remain in Nicaragua have been waived in a few cases.

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6. Authentication of Documents

All foreign documents presented to the INSSBI in support of an adoption must be authenticated, translated, and certified. The required documents are: 1) parent's birth certificate, 2) parent's marriage certificate, 3) a certificate stating that the parents are in good health, 4) economic information 5) a "psychological-social" study and 6) three photographs of each parent.

Generally, U.S.civil records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates must bear the seal of the issuing office, then be authenticated by the state Secretary of State in the United States, the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office, and the Nicaraguan Embassy or Consulate. Tax returns, medical reports and police clearances should likewise be authenticated, beginning with the seal of a notary public in the United States or some appropriate issuing office. The notary's seal should be authenticated by the clerk of court of the county where the notary is licensed or some similar authority. The document should then be authenticated by the state Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office, and the Nicaraguan Embassy or Consulate. The U.S. Department of State Authentication Office is located at 2400 m Street, N.W., Room 101, Washington, D.C. 20520, Tel: (202) 647-5002. Walk-in service is available from 8 a.m. to 12-noon Monday -Friday, except holidays. The Department charges $4.00 per document for this service, payable in the form of a check drawn on a U.S. bank or money order made payable to the Department of State. It is advisable to bring several copies of the completely authenticated documentation with you to Nicaragua.

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7. Adoption Agencies and Attorneys

The adoptive parents must work directly with the FONIF until the final stage of the adoption. Once the FONIF authorizes the adoption, the adopting parents may hire a lawyer to complete the adoption procedures. Adoptions arranged by foreigners directly with the birth parents or private orphanages whether personally or through the offices of an attorney or adoption agency are almost universally disapproved by FONIF. Though in some cases local attorneys have managed to obtain court decrees for such arrangements, these adoptions are not valid under Nicaraguan law without FONIF approval. Lists of attorneys are available from the American Embassy or the Department of State, Office of American Citizens Services.

8. Time Frame

The actual adoption process takes approximately six months.

9. Travel of the Child

The child may not travel until all adoption procedures are final.

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10. Nicaraguan Embassy and Consulate in U.S.

Embassy of Nicaragua
1627 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
Tel; (202) 939-6570

Embassy of Nicaragua
820 2nd Avenue
Suite 801
New York, N.Y. 10017
Tel: (212) 490-7997

Consulate of Nicaragua
61 Broadway
Suite 2529
New York, N.Y. 10006
Tel: (212) 344-4491

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SCHEDULING APPOINTMENT WITH U.S. CONSULAR OFFICER

It is advisable for the prospective adoptive parents to contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Managua at least one day before coming into the Consulate to check that the documents are in order and to schedule an appointment for the immigrant visa interview. The Embassy cannot guarantee issuance of the visa in advance of the interview. If you are outside the U.S. and the child has completed his medical examination, you will have a preliminary interview with the consular officer in order to complete form I-604 "Request for and Report on Overseas Orphan investigation". The child must be present at the Embassy for the immigrant visa application. The medical examination must be performed by a physician from an approved list of physicians provided by the Embassy using a specified form. Unless special circumstances, such as a physical handicap, indicate the child's care will be particularly costly, the adopting parents will not be required to provide further proof of their financial situation, as this information will have already been provided at the time of petition (I-600A 0r I-600) approval.

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WHAT DOCUMENTS TO BRING WITH YOU TO U.S. EMBASSY

Note: Since each case is different, it is possible that the Embassy will request additional documents after a preliminary review of the applications of the prospective adoptive parent (s).

For the immigrant visa application the child will need:

  1. Certified copy of child's birth certificate issued by the civil registrar indicating the name of both parents if known

  2. If birth father, mother, or both are deceased certified copy of death certificate issued by civil registrar.

  3. Decree of Abandonment by FONIF.

  4. Adoption decree issued by a Nicaraguan court.

  5. Authorization from a Judge to permit the minor to leave Nicaragua.

  6. Valid Nicaraguan passport.

  7. Three 1 3/4 inch color visa photographs.

  8. Medical examination (according to Embassy instructions). If the minor has a physical or mental disability, a notarized statement will be required from the prospective adoptive parent (s) in the United States indicating that they are fully aware of the physical or mental disability of the minor and in spite of that fact that they have the intention of finalizing the adoption. This statement can be included in item 19 of form I-600 and also in the home study if more convenient. In that case a separate notarized statement will not be required.

  9. In case where the minor has not been seen or observed in person by the prospective adoptive parent (s), a notarized statement by those parents will be required indicating that although they have not seen or observed the minor in person, they are nevertheless willing to adopt or re-adopt the minor in the United States. Both parties must sign the I-600 after the child has been identified. This means that if one party has gone abroad to arrange the adoption, and the other remained in the U.S., the I-600 must be sent by one spouse to the other with the child's identity information completed and an original signature of the spouse reflecting their concurrence with the procedure. This is generally done by express courier in the interest of time.

  10. In the case of a minor taken to the United States by a third party, for example a legal representative or social assistant of an adoption agency or other entity, a notarized statement will be required authorizing that person to take the minor to the United States with the purpose of placing him/her with the prospective adoptive parent (s). This statement can also be included in the Judge's authorization for the child to leave Nicaragua. Note: There are no provisions in INS regulations for approving petitions signed by agents with powers of attorney. Consequently, even if an agent is physically accompanying the child to the U.S., the petition itself must be signed by the adoptive parent (s), after the child has been identified.

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11. U.S. Fees

INS FEES FOR I-600 AND I-600A PETITIONS

The INS fee for an I-600 or I-600A petition is

$405. If you have a valid I-600A and file an I-600 within one year of the approval of the I-600A, no fee will be charged for the I-600 provided you are only petitioning for one child or for siblings. If you are petitioning for more than one child and the children are not siblings, the I-600 fee will be charged.

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT AUTHENTICATION FEE

If you are having documents authenticated by the Department of State Authentication Office, there is a fee of $32.00 per document.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION FEE

The adopted child must have a medical examination performed by one of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate's panel physicians before the immigrant visa can be issued. The cost of this medical examination is approximately U.S. $20.00 and must be borne by the adoptive parent (s). To obtain the vaccination fee, the adoptive parent (s) should contact the authorized physician.

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U.S. IMMIGRANT VISA FEE

The fee for the immigrant visa is $325.00 and may be paid in U.S. dollars. This $325.00 does not include medical examinations, cost of documents, the petition, etc. The American Embassy does not accept personal checks or credit cards.

12. Adoptional Information

Prospective-adopting parents should consult INS publication No. M-249, "The Immigration of Adopted and Prospective Adoptive Children" and the Department of State information flyer "International Adoptions".

13. American Embassy Assistance

Upon arrival in Nicaragua to try to arrange an adoption, U.S. citizens should register at the American Embassy, Consular Section, and American Citizens Services. To avoid problems, it is always best for prospective adoptive parents to check with the consular section when they begin the process. The Embassy will be able to provide information about any outstanding travel advisories and to provide other information about Nicaragua including list of physicians, attorney, interpreters and translators. The American Embassy is located at KM 4 1/2, Carretera Sur, Managua, Nicaragua. Tel: 2666-010 Ext. 4779 or 4519.

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14. Problems

Specific problems with adoption in Nicaragua may be addressed to the Consular Section of the American Embassy. You may also contact the Department of State, Office of Children's Issues, Room 4811 N.S., 2201 C Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20520-4818, Tel: (202) 647-2688with questions about international adoption (not related to the issuance of U.S. visas).This office can also provide you with a copy of the Department of State's general information flyer on International Adoptions, which explains some of the problems and pitfalls common in adoption cases. Information about any outstanding travel advisories can be obtained from the Department of State, Office of American Citizens Services. You may listen to the travel advisories by calling (202) 647-5225. If you would like copies of any travel advisories you may call the American Citizens Services at (202) 647-5226. Copies are also available at the 13 regional U.S. passport agencies.

15. Visa Questions

For questions about U.S. visa petition procedures, contact the nearest office of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, located in the Federal Government section of your telephone book. General recorded information about visa procedures is also available from the Department of State's Visa Office at (202) 663-1225.

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[Privacy Statement]

Our contact address is: EmbassyInfo@state.gov
For specific consular questions, please address them directly to: ConsularManagua@state.gov