Jamaica

Please note this information was last updated in 2006

WHO CAN ADOPT

To bring an adopted child to United States from Jamaica, you must be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn more.

In addition to these U.S. requirements for prospective adoptive parents, Jamaica also has the following eligibility requirements for prospective adoptive parents:

• Residency Requirements Prospective adoptive parents seeking an Adoption License can expect to have to travel to Jamaica at least twice (once to meet with the Child Development Agency (CDA) and again to apply for a visa), but are not required to reside in Jamaica. Prospective adoptive parents seeking an Adoption Order must reside in Jamaica during the pre-adoption placement and until the case appears before a Jamaican court (at least four months). The court may waive the pre-adoption placement requirement if the prospective adoptive parents are Jamaican nationals adopting a relative.

 

• Age Requirements: Prospective adoptive parents who aren’t related to the potential adopted child must be 25 years of age or older. If the child is a brother, sister, niece, or nephew of the prospective adoptive parent(s), at least one parent must be 18 years of age or older. There are no laws dictating the age difference between the adoptee and the prospective adoptive parent when they are related.

 

• Marriage Requirements: Both single individuals and married couples can adopt.

 

• Income Requirements: While there are no specific income requirements, prospective adoptive parents will have to provide documents relaying their financial status.

 

• Other Requirements: While there are no specific medical ineligibilities, each potential adoption is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Prospective adoptive parents’ medical conditions may factor into that evaluation.
• WHO CAN BE ADOPTED
  
  Jamaica has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. You cannot adopt a child in Jamaica unless he or she meets the requirements. 

  In addition to these requirements, a child must meet the definition of an orphan under U.S. law for you to bring him or her home back to the United States. Learn more about the U.S. immigration requirements.

For further information regarding the process, please click here