In 2014, Haiti because a Hague Convention country. Children’s Adoption Services was re-accredited by Haiti’s adoption authority, IBSER, in October 2016.

CAS Haiti Program staff assist families with every step of the adoption dossier process.

Once completed, your dossier is sent to our in-country independent representatives, reviewed, legalized and then submitted to IBESR. Your family is matched with a child based on the information in your home study and dossier. From submission of dossier until the child is matched takes up to 18 months or longer.  Agencies may submit two dossiers per month for children under age 5, and up to 5 additional dossiers during the year for a waiting child (6 years or older, or any age with special needs).

Families receive all available information about their child and regular updates. This information typically consists of a medical, social, developmental and background report along with pictures of your child.

Once IBESR grants final approval, your paperwork, and your child’s paperwork move through several Haitian Government offices for approval at each level. The final step in the process is the issuance of your child’s passport with the Ministry of the Interior and finally, the visa application for your child.

About the Country

Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean. It is located on the Western side of the island of Hispaniola; the Dominican Republic is on the eastern portion of the island. Haiti is approximately the size of Maryland.

Haiti was established as an independent nation in 1804 following a revolution against French rule and enslavement. French is one of two official languages in Haiti; Haitian Creole is the other.

Today, Haiti has a population of approximately 8.7 million people. The natural beauty of the island’s beaches and mountains are marred by the country’s widespread poverty. As the poorest country located in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti was acutely ill-prepared for the devastating 2010 earthquake. Even prior to the disaster, there were more than 400,000 orphans, a staggering number for such a small country.  Now, estimates show the orphan population has doubled to nearly 800,000 orphans.

What to Expect when Traveling

Adoptive parents must make two trips to Haiti. The first trip is 2 weeks long, and the second trip is 3-5 days. Parents are met at the airport by an in-country representative and are escorted throughout their trips. Haiti’s close proximity to the United States makes it easier to plan travel.

During the first trip, families will meet their child and complete the required bonding period.  A social worker with IBESR will meet with you to observe how the bonding is going in order to approve your adoption to proceed to the next steps.  During your final trip, you will pick up your child to return home.