International adoption of children is regulated by the regulations in force in each country, regulations that enshrine the principle of equality of children before the law, regardless of their affiliation.

In International Adoption The laws of different countries regulate the selection process of possible adoptive parents through three different categories: capacity, suitability, eligibility.

Each country establishes its criteria to qualify for the adoption of a child. They are generally based on criteria such as the age difference between the adopter and the adoptee and whether they are married couples, de facto couples or single people. The time between submitting the application and obtaining the suitability certificate cannot exceed eight months.

The time of the entire process depends on various factors: the country of origin of the minor, if the adoption is of a child or two siblings. People who wish to adopt in another country must first request information from the responsible agency, institution or ministry in their country and then contact an international adoption agency. To carry out the procedure, you must request to participate in the information sessions on adoption in the country of origin of the future parents, since the frequent changes in this procedure make it highly recommended to be well informed. If the initiative prospers, the adoption must be requested in the same institution, through which a psychosocial report and a certificate of suitability will be made. After obtaining the suitability certificate, those interested can go to an international adoption agency. In some cases, if the child’s country of origin requires it, all the processing must be done through an international adoption collaborating agency or entity. In addition, the legalization and authentication of the documents must be carried out through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of the adopting parents in the consulate or embassy of the foreign country. Another procedure is that of the file in the competent foreign authority, which preassigns a child. At the time you have to travel to the country to begin the process of relationship with the minor and carry out the procedures for the adoption before the judicial bodies. Finally, the registration of the adoption in the registry of the consulate of the country of the adopters abroad and the issuance of the adopted child’s passport.

In Colombia, the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) intervenes in the adoption process and the entities that seek accreditation by this institution are requested to prepare statistics regarding the duration of the procedure, the number of steps to be taken, and the economic value thereof.

This institution must participate compulsorily in all adoption processes. It is the one entity that receives the applications and submits them to the study of an interdisciplinary group that evaluates the background, conditions and aptitudes of the applicants. If the verdict is favorable, they enter a “Waiting List” and, in due course, then go to the “Adoption Committee”, which assigns the adoptee to the applicant.
The “Family Defenders” continue with the process, monitoring coexistence and adaptation. Finally, another authority from the same institute participates in the Family Court of the judicial process in question.

All these steps ensure that adoption in Colombia is a transparent process. Colombian law does not allow whoever is going to give a child for adoption do so in favor of a specific adopter.