Portugal Adoption

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Portugal

About The Children

Children waiting in Portugal for forever homes are usually 10 years old and older, however, younger children are possible with special needs.  Sibling groups are also waiting.  The children have developmental or special needs.

Children referred are in need of a family for various reasons: poverty, unwed mother unable to care for the child, or one or both parents are deceased. Children may have been removed from their biological family due to social issues such as negligence, alcohol abuse, etc.

Are you interested in Kinship-Relative Adoption? Contact us for more information.

Eligibility

married couples, single applicants or unmarried couples who have been in a committed relationship for at least 4 years
Both parents must be at least 25 and no older than 61. Single persons must be over 30 years old and no more than 61.
Age difference between the parent and child may not be more than 50 years old.
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Travel and Time Frame

Travel

One trip is required.  The time in country will be 6-8 weeks transition period and receiving the Visa at the US Embassy for your child to travel back home with you under legal guardianship. The minimum placement period before adoption finalization will depend on the state you reside. It can be up to 6 months. The adoption will be finalized in the U.S.

Time Frame

The approximate time from referral acceptance to travel is 1-3 months.
Process

ADOPTION PROCESS

CHI has worked in Europe since the late 1990s.  We are one of the first American agencies to be approved to work in Portugal.  We have an excellent team of professionals in the country to translate your documents, deliver them to the Ministry and work with you while in-country and at court.  Each case is unique, and we provide individual attention to you.  The Executive Director has been traveling to CHI’s European programs to visit governments and Representatives for over 25 years.  She has an adopted daughter from Romania.  We look forward to helping you through your individual process.

Contact Us
1

Apply to CHI for adoption services from Portugal. Complete the Home Study Process with a CHI Social Worker or a Local Hague Accredited Social Worker.
2

Submit Approved Home Study.
3

Apply for I-800A Approval from USCIS.
4

Compile your dossier for Portugal
5

Obtain Apostille seals for dossier documents.
6

Your dossier will be submitted for review and approval by the Portuguese Central Authority. Time from dossier approval to referral varies according to the age or special needs requested.
7

Once you receive your referral, you will have a minimum of two weeks to ask questions and speak to a doctor about the child’s health.
8

The Central Authority in Portugal will consider your interest in a child and make a determination to approve your for the match. Once the Central Authority approves your match, and you agree, you and your spouse will arrange to travel to Portugal to meet the child. This trip will take approximately 6-8 weeks in country. At this time you will be visiting the child or keeping the child in your local hotel or apartment and you will be visited frequently by the local social services to determine if the match is a good one for everyone.
9

You will obtain the final guardianship order, your child's passport, birth certificate and attend the appropriate appointments at the U.S. Embassy to receive your child’s visa.
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10

After the embassy issues the child’s visa, You will be allowed to travel home! You will be required to complete post placement reports per the schedule set by the state prior to finalizing the adoption in the state you reside.
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Want To Learn More
About Portugal?

CHI will be happy to talk to you to discuss your hopes and dreams concerning adopting from Portugal.  Please contact us for a confidential conversation about your questions and thoughts.

Click here to go to the State Department Website!

Click here to go to the Centers for Disease Control Website on International Adoption!

Click here to go to the CIA World Factbook on all countries!

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You may be eligible for the Adoption Tax Credit! For 2023 the maximum dollar limit for the Adoption Tax Credit is $15,950 per child. Contact your tax advisor for more information

Want to learn more about waiting children
in Portugal?

Waiting children on Rainbow Kids!

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Waiting children on Rainbow Kids!

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Waiting children on Rainbow Kids!

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What parents say about us?

We are happy to share our families experiences
about Children's House International

When we set out on our adoption journey, we asked close friends of ours who they had adopted through and whether they would recommend that agency. Our friends highly recommended Children's House International and we looked no further. Children's House... Read More>>

China Adoptive Family, Adopted from China

We had an absolutely incredible adoption experience with Children’s House International!  Throughout every step of the process, communications were timely, straightforward, and frequent.  It was clear we had chosen an agency whom we could 100% trust, and who truly cares... Read More>>

Lanstrum Family, Adopted from Colombia

We had a wonderful experience adopting thru CHI! We selected the Bulgaria program because it was predictable, close to our family’s heritage and because we liked the idea of being able to meet our child before committing to the adoption.... Read More>>

Adoptive Parents, Adopted from Bulgaria

I just wanted to tell you how wonderful the last 10 years have been with my son. He was adopted from Romania in 2000. What a joy he has been to our family. He is now 11, almost 12, and... Read More>>

Nancy, Adopted from Romania

Successfully having the paperwork move through the process. There is a feeling of accomplishment with each step and knowing we properly completed each requirement was what kept us going through the wait.

Jody, Adopted from China