Factsheet, Page 2
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ADOPTION AUTHORITY IN Bolivia:
The governmental authority responsible for adoption matters in Bolivia is the Vice-Ministry of Youth, Children and the Elderly (Viceministerio de La Juventud, Niñez y Tercera Edad), which may be reached via the following contact information:
Viceministerio de La Juventud, Niñez y Tercera Edad
Edificio El Condor, 1 St Floor, Suite 101
Batallon Colorados St. #24
La Paz, Bolivia.
Telephone: 591-2-215 0090 (direct line)
Telephone: 591- 2- 215 0088 (legal department)
Fax: 591-2- 215 0092
e-mail: vicejunite@alamo.entelnet.bo
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS:
Married or unmarried U.S. citizens must be at least 25 years of age to adopt a child in Bolivia. The spouse of a married U.S. citizen does not have to be a U.S. citizen; however, if living in the United States, the spouse must have legal immigration status. Prospective parents may also have biological children of their own and/or other adopted children.
RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:
U.S. citizens must be legal residents of Bolivia in order to adopt in Bolivia.
TIME FRAME:
International adoption from Bolivia can be time-consuming. Recent experience suggests that the total time required (i.e., from initial consultation with an approved adoption agency until the child arrives in the U.S.) will be several months to over one year. Both adoptive parents do not need to be present in Bolivia during the entire process, but both adoptive parents must be present for the provisional placement, the evaluation and the ratification of the adoption by the Court. The child must be present for the visa interview, attended by at least one U.S. citizen adoptive parent. Adoptive parents should plan to stay in Bolivia for approximately four to six weeks. Adoptive parents are advised NOT to make travel plans for an adoptive child until they have the child’s U.S. visa. The Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz will do its best to process adoption visa paperwork quickly; however, unexpected delays in the adoption process are possible. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and Consular officials have no authority to intervene in any Bolivian legal process.
ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS :
Due to the current restrictions on international adoptions in Bolivia, there are currently no licensed adoption agencies in Bolivia handling the adoption of Bolivian children by U.S. citizens. The U.S. Embassy in La Paz maintains a list of attorneys who may be able to help U.S. Citizens who are legal residents of Bolivia or U.S.-Bolivian dual nationals pursuing adoptions.
Prospective adopting parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.- based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adopting parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located.
Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at our Web site travel.state.gov
Credits: U.S. Department of State
