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Belize is the least-populated nation in Central America, yet hundreds of children live in orphanages or “homes,” with thousands more vulnerable children living outside these facilities. CCAI is compelled to find loving families for some of Belize’s most vulnerable children through our Belize adoption program.
Complete a Medical Conditions Checklist together with your application to help CCAI know more about your adoption expectations!
Belize is a beautiful and diverse country. Most Belizeans are of multiracial descent; a little more than half of the population is of mixed Indigenous (mostly Maya) and European descent (or Mestizo), and another quarter is of Creole/Kriol descent.
Child Age Range: 5-18 years
Sibling Groups: Yes
Marriage Couples: Yes
Single Women: Yes
Single Men: Yes, if adopting a boy
Expat Accepted: Yes
In-Country travel: One trip, 12-14 days
At least one of the applicants must be a minimum of 25 years of age and at least 12 years older than the adoptive child. There is no maximum age to adopt from Belize.
Legally married couples & single individuals (single men may only adopt a male child).
Applicants’ income must meet the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) requirements as specified in Form I-864P for 125% of the current Poverty Guideline: https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p
Applicants must be in good physical and mental health.
Applicants must have no history (as a perpetrator) of domestic violence, sexual abuse/offenses, or child abuse.
5 Business Days
Approximately 6-7 Months
12-36 Months
Approximately four months after referral
4 post-placement reports with one-year probationary period. After one year, the High Court of Belize will issue final adoption order and ship documents to CCAI.
Successful completion of 12+ parent training hours which meets the requirements of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption and CCAI. All Parent Training is covered in CCAI fees.
One trip is required with a duration of 12-14 days. During your trip, you will meet your child, receive a provisional adoption order, and obtain a passport and the adoption visa to enter the US.
Absolutely no hidden charges, no last minute surprises!
Please select your state below for a clear and comprehensive list of the fees and expenses necessary to complete your Belize adoption:
Colorado
Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wyoming
All Other States
Love without Boundaries has a comprehensive, informative, and educational guide for families considering adopting a child with medical/functional needs.
Adopting a Child with
Functional Needs
The National Organization for Rare Diseases can also be a wonderful resource!
In general, families adopting from Belize will already be aware of a particular child or sibling group they wish to adopt, such as through a kinship (relative) adoption, or by having already met a child/children during travels to Belize, such as on a mission trip.
Families adopting from Belize must work with a non-profit and accredited home study agency to complete their home study report. If you are living in CO, FL, GA, TX, or WY, CCAI will be your home study provider. For all other states, please visit the link below to find a home study provider in your area.
CCAI requires 12+ hours of training time which meets the requirements of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.
Information from the Centers for Disease Control for those traveling to Belize.
Information on known health risks via the World Health Organization’s Country Profile for Belize.
| Expense | Amount | Pmt Method | Pay To | Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $250 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Application submission |
| Child Abuse Record Search | $35/Family | Check | CO Dept of Human Service | Application submission |
| IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee | $500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (Sent to IAAME) | After App Approval |
| First Program Fee (Includes Home Study) | $5,700 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | After App Approval |
| CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search | $39.50 per person | Money Order | Colorado Bureau of Investigation | After App Approval |
| USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting | $775 plus $85/adult | Check/Money Order | US Dept. of Homeland Security | Upon I-800A submission |
| Dossier Preparation | Approx. $450-$900 | Check/Money Order | Secretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s) | As preparing Dossier |
| Second Program Fee | $5,050 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| CCCWA Fee | $1,270 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| Third Program Fee | $5,500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee | $300 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Court Validation Deposit | $200 | Check | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable) | $450 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Visa to enter China | $140 (plus courier fee) | Check/Credit Card | Chinese Consulate via a courier/travel agency | Approximately one month before travel to China |
| US Domestic & International Airfare | $1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket) | Credit Card | A travel agency/airline of your choice | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| In China Travel & Accommodations | Approx. $4,000-$4,400 for two adults | ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (wired to China) | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| Adoption Registration and Notarization | $800 – $1,000 | Cash | Local government in China | In China |
| Orphanage Donation | (Voluntary) | Cash or Wire | Orphanage | In China |
| Child’s Passport | $100-$150 | Cash | Local passport agency | In China |
| Food | $700 – $800 per couple | Cash/Credit Card | Hotel(s), restaurant(s) | In China |
| Child Physical & Photo | $130-$150 | Cash | Clinic | In Guangzhou, China |
| Child U.S. Entry Visa | $325 | Cash or Check | U.S. Consulate | In China |
| Court Validation Fee | $167 | Check | County Court | After U.S. Return |
| Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate | $37.75 | Check | Colorado Vital Statistics Office | After U.S. Return |
| Lutheran Family Services | $250 | Check | Lutheran Family Services via CCAI | When Home Study is approved by CCAI |
