Located just two hours south of Miami, the Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic is a popular tourist destination, yet is also home to many vulnerable children living in orphanages or group homes. CCAI is honored to serve these children through our Dominican Republic Adoption Program.
Complete a Medical Conditions Checklist together with your Application to help CCAI know more about your adoption expectations!
The Dominican Republic has a diverse and colorful culture. Most Dominicans are of multiracial descent, including Indigenous and Black ancestries, and the nation’s official language is Spanish.
Child Age Range: 5-18 years
Sibling Groups: Yes
Marriage Couples: Heterosexual couples legally married for at least 5 years
In-Country Stay: 4-6 months
Both applicants must be between 30 and 60 years of age and at least 15 years older than the adoptive child.
Heterosexual couples must be legally married at least 5 years.
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.
Within 5 Business Days
Approximately 6-7 Months
12-36 Months
Travel approximately 4 months after referral, stay 4-6 months
6 post adoption reports at 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years following placement
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 4-6 months, an incredible opportunity for families with a flexible schedule to “cocoon” with their new child and enjoy a quieter pace away from hectic American schedules. Consider the possibility of remote working, virtual school or homeschooling for children in the home (or even enrollment in an American school in the Dominican Republic!); it IS possible!
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 Dominican Republic adoption:
Colorado
Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wyoming
All Other States
With Host Orphans Worldwide, CCAI seeks adoption-minded host families to host tweens and teens. Often, this may be the last chance for a child to find a family before they age out of the Dominican child welfare system.
Hosting is an excellent opportunity to get to know a child before adoption, and many forever families are created through our programs.
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!
Child matches/referrals are made by Consejo Nacional para la Niñez y la Adolescencia (CONANI), the Dominican Republic’s Central Authority, based on review and approval of a family’s dossier. Where prospective adoptive families are already aware of a particular child or sibling group they wish to adopt, such as in the case of hosting, and presuming the child’s availability for intercountry adoption, such cases will still follow typical dossier and referral procedures, although the referral timeline may proceed more quickly.
Families adopting from the Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic.
Information on known health risks via the World Health Organization’s Country Profile for the Dominican Republic.
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 |