Adopting a Child from Jamaica – FAQs

Remember that these timeframes are approximate and can vary based on individual circumstances. New Beginnings will provide guidance 

Who are the Children in Need of Adoption?

• New Beginnings provides home study and primary provider services for families seeking to adopt relatives or pre-identified children.
• Children aged 0-15.
• If the child is 15 or older, the family must file their I-600 before the child is 16 (or has a younger sibling).

Eligibility Requirements

• Age of Applicant: 25 years and up. For relative adoptions, the applicant can be under 25, but there must be at least 18 years age difference between the child and the applicant. There is no upper age limit, but the CPFSA will review each application on a case-by-case basis.
• Marital Status: Single women, single men, and married couples accepted.
• Marital History: No more than one divorce in total for each spouse.
• Family Composition: Preference is given to families who have no children. The maximum number of children in the home is four. Exceptions can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Income: Families should be financially stable and able to care for a child without public assistance.
• Parent Health: Good health without major medical concerns.
• Parent Mental Health: Considered on a case-by-case basis; no severe conditions.
• Education: Minimum of a high school diploma.
• Prior Criminal History: Minor offense older than five years considered on a case-by-case basis; no drug offenses.

What is the Adoption Process for Jamaica?

First, complete a free online pre-application here. A staff member will contact you to discuss the specifics of your situation and assess whether New Beginnings would be a good fit for you.

 Submit our Adoptive Family Profile – Identified Child application. (LINK) New Beginnings will request that you submit all documentation you might already have, such as parent death certificates, child’s birth certificate, birth parent relinquis

Next, sign and return the NB Adoption Service Agreement for Jamaica. 

Complete your adoption home study with New Beginnings or a licensed agency in your state and file an I-600A application with USCIS.  

Once your I-600-A is approved (around 12-16 weeks currently), New Beginnings will assist you in submitting your application and dossier documents to the CPFSA in Jamaica. CPHSA will review your application and investigate the child’s adoption eligibility in Jamaica. (3-6 months). 

If the CPFSA and Adoption Board approves, the case will be referred to the local court where the child resides. 

New Beginnings will assist you in filing the I-600 application with USCIS to approve the child for immigration to the US. 

When I-600 is approved, the parents will travel to Jamaica for custody and completion of the process. The local court will issue an Adoption License (guardianship needing an adoption finalization in the US) or Adoption Order (finalized adoption in Jamaica).  

Apply for the child’s visa with the US Consulate in Kingston.  

Return home with your child. For families granted an Adoption License, post-placement supervision reports will be required at 6 weeks, 3 months, and then every three months until adoption finalization. State regulations may require more. Families granted an Adoption Order will need at least one post-adoption supervision report. State regulations may require more.

How Long is the Process?

The timing for each case depends on many factors. However, we estimate the entire process can range from 18 months to 3 years. Here’s a general outline of the timeline:

 Application and Home Study: The home study process typically takes around 4 to 6 months to complete. Families can shorten this step by being prompt with document preparation. 

 I-600A Approval: The approval of the I-600A, which grants permission from USCIS for adoptive parents to immigrate a child, usually takes 3-5 months. During this time, working with New Beginnings, you will compile the application/dossier to submit to Jamaica.

Referral and Travel: For relative adoptions, we estimate it will take CPFSA an average of 3-6 months to review the application and 6-12 months to obtain the license/order. 

Remember that these timeframes are approximate and can vary based on individual circumstances. New Beginnings will provide guidance and support throughout the process to ensure a smooth adoption journey.

How Long is the Stay in Jamaica?

The adoptive family must take at least two trips to Jamaica. On the first trip, they meet with CPFSA and appear in the local court. The length of time for staying depends on the conditions of the adoption and whether the family will be required to stay in Jamaica for a bonding period. On the second trip, they will appear at the US Embassy in Kingston for the visa interview for their child to immigrate to the United States.

Are you Ready to Move Forward?

If you would like to apply for Primary Provider Services for the adoption of a relative or pre-identified child from Jamaica, please complete the free no-obligation pre-application. We may contact you for a brief interview upon receipt of the pre-application. You are also invited to complete our Adoptive Family Profile for an Identified Child.

Please note: Not all children approved for adoption in Jamaica are necessarily approvable for an immigrant visa to the United States. The child must legally qualify as an “orphan” under USCIS laws. Therefore, we must have as much information about the child as possible before moving forward with your case.