richardandshari

Hi Diana, you tell me that I have to pay attorney fees. And please people, don't jump on my neck about this.... but is it absolutely necessary to have an attorney? I know that parents and was wonerding if it's like here, where the parent can give up their rights and give it to us, then of course, go through all the paper work the US requires....

I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE HELP THAT ALL OF YOU BRING HERE! GOD BLESS YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!!!

Oh my God, that's alot of money!! Was the child a relative or an orphan?

It might be a bit less since you want to adopt a specific child who's already a relative but you still have to pay attorney fees for the adoption and visa fees as well.

Diana

In Colombia, difficult for me to tell the difference between a notary and an attorney, there is quite a difference here. The word apostille was also new to me but did receive a very impressive document from Colombia, as I recall, with the parent giving permission for his child to come to this country the pricetag was in the $1,000.00 range with another 400 to have it translated into English. We needed that for two reasons, first for permission for my wife's daughter to come here, second to appease the USCIS. We had further complications in that the child was in Venezuela, but you won't have those.

Feel you biggest problem will be with delays in the USCIS in processing the I-130 since this isn't a son or daughter, but you will need that permission first before you can even get started with the USCIS. I hired an immigration attorney to handle all the details plus attorneys in Venezuela and Colombia. I did check into adoption, like the others have said, way too involved and complicated.

I can't even remember how this transpired, sister-in-law was killed with a 2 and 1 year old babies, brother was considered unsuitable and somehow the court appointed me as their legal guardian, after a year of taking care of them, went back to the courts to legally adopt them and that went through very quickly. I was also appointed the legal guardian of my two younger brothers ages 10 and 12 when my mother died.

With my step daughter, was legally liable for her under state rules, had to sign for medical treatment, driver's license, and if she didn't go to school, they got after me, but had absolutely no say with the USCIS, go figure.

Important thing is to get your cousin here, legally, get her permanent resident card, and US citizenship, can check with the courts on becoming her legal guardian, take one step at a time. Funny with kids, some people just don't want them, and those that do can't have them. Thought I was done with my step daughter, but to enroll her in college, they wanted my John Henry on the dotted line to make sure they got their money.

Thanks Nick for your response. You always go into such details and I appreciate your information it gives me insight as to what to expect and you do give me some hope.

Hi Diana, you tell me that I have to pay attorney fees. And please people, don't jump on my neck about this.... but is it absolutely necessary to have an attorney? I know that parents and was wonerding if it's like here, where the parent can give up their rights and give it to us, then of course, go through all the paper work the US requires....

I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE HELP THAT ALL OF YOU BRING HERE! GOD BLESS YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!!!

Oh my God, that's alot of money!! Was the child a relative or an orphan?

It might be a bit less since you want to adopt a specific child who's already a relative but you still have to pay attorney fees for the adoption and visa fees as well.

Diana

In Colombia, difficult for me to tell the difference between a notary and an attorney, there is quite a difference here. The word apostille was also new to me but did receive a very impressive document from Colombia, as I recall, with the parent giving permission for his child to come to this country the pricetag was in the $1,000.00 range with another 400 to have it translated into English. We needed that for two reasons, first for permission for my wife's daughter to come here, second to appease the USCIS. We had further complications in that the child was in Venezuela, but you won't have those.

Feel you biggest problem will be with delays in the USCIS in processing the I-130 since this isn't a son or daughter, but you will need that permission first before you can even get started with the USCIS. I hired an immigration attorney to handle all the details plus attorneys in Venezuela and Colombia. I did check into adoption, like the others have said, way too involved and complicated.

I can't even remember how this transpired, sister-in-law was killed with a 2 and 1 year old babies, brother was considered unsuitable and somehow the court appointed me as their legal guardian, after a year of taking care of them, went back to the courts to legally adopt them and that went through very quickly. I was also appointed the legal guardian of my two younger brothers ages 10 and 12 when my mother died.

With my step daughter, was legally liable for her under state rules, had to sign for medical treatment, driver's license, and if she didn't go to school, they got after me, but had absolutely no say with the USCIS, go figure.

Important thing is to get your cousin here, legally, get her permanent resident card, and US citizenship, can check with the courts on becoming her legal guardian, take one step at a time. Funny with kids, some people just don't want them, and those that do can't have them. Thought I was done with my step daughter, but to enroll her in college, they wanted my John Henry on the dotted line to make sure they got their money.

Well, from what I was just told I have some people finding out things that I need to know first with Bienestar in Colombia. I think I'm gonna pay a visit to an immigration attorney to find out what the best options are. I have read so many things already. I even read in one of the immigration sites that I can actually bring her here before the final adoption goes through. It was an M249 booklet. I really want this little girl here, she is in dire need of love and attention. I just wondered if there is anyway my husband and I can go to the courts in Colombia and be appointed her legal guardian. Her parents are so quick to relinquish their rights. They told us to our faces.

Uhmm... I really don't think that any parent can just sign a piece a paper giving their child away and that's that. I seriously can't think of an adoption working out legally without having legal representation but it's best to consult with someone in Colombia so you're better informed.

Diana

BTW,

I just found this in the DOS web site, it may not apply to you but it may give you a heads up.

PLEASE NOTE: Colombian law does not allow for private adoptions. Children may be adopted only through the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) and approved adoption agencies.

Every adopted child must have a final adoption decree in order to leave Colombia . Colombian law also requires that both adopting parents be physically present when the adoption is presented to a “family judge.†No exceptions are made to this requirement.

http://www.travel.state.gov/family/adoptio...ountry_366.html

Diana

Thanks Diana, I actually read this at 2 in the morning! jaja. And somewhere I wrote that it could even be more difficult when you want to adopt a family member!???!!

Hi Diana, you tell me that I have to pay attorney fees. And please people, don't jump on my neck about this.... but is it absolutely necessary to have an attorney? I know that parents and was wonerding if it's like here, where the parent can give up their rights and give it to us, then of course, go through all the paper work the US requires....

I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE HELP THAT ALL OF YOU BRING HERE! GOD BLESS YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!!!

Oh my God, that's alot of money!! Was the child a relative or an orphan?

It might be a bit less since you want to adopt a specific child who's already a relative but you still have to pay attorney fees for the adoption and visa fees as well.

Diana

Oh my God, that's alot of money!! Was the child a relative or an orphan?

We have friends adopting a child from Colombia. Not sure what agency they are using, but as Diana says, the cost is around $20 thousand. Their process, if all goes well, will end up taking about two years.

Hi Nick, thanks for responding so quickly! The child that I'd like to bring over here/adopt is my husband's cousin. She is in so much need of a stable good home and parents that have time to take care of her. Was your step daughter still a child when you brought her here? Was she "legal" and if not, how were you able to claim her?

Thanks again for responding!!

Hi everyone. Have any of you adopted a child in Colombia or maybe in another country? What was the process like? HOw long did it take? How was the experience? Thanks for the responses!!

You can do a net search on that, was considering adopting my step daughter from Venezuela and contacted an attorney down there, she would have been a grandma by the time it was over so gave up. But we got her here, and that was also very expensive and she is an adult now, so it doesn't make any difference and I could claim her as a dependent on our income tax. Ha, I was also liable for her if she did anything naughty.

Is the child you are considering to adopt any kind of a relative?

Ha, sure makes a guy wonder about our tax and educational system, with a kid, you do get a 3,500 buck deduction and that is after you already paid FICA taxes they claim you will never get back, it simply means you don't have to pay extra taxes on that very small amount. But yet the state says it costs them 10,000 bucks a year to baby sit with your kid for a couple of hours each day. They don't discipline, pay for medical expenses, cloth, house, feed them, nor even teach them! And if you want your kid to succeed, I did get my daughter on the high honor roll, have to spend at least two hours a night with homework and at least ten hours on the weekend. Feel we are getting ripped off.

Thanks Diana!

There are a lot of agencies here in the States that work with Bienestar Familiar, which is one of the organizations who helps get children adopted. It will cost around $20k from beginning to end. You can also ask your question at www.poorbuthappy.com which is a forum made up of a lot of Americans who are very familiar with Colombia. They might be able to help.

Diana

Hi everyone. Have any of you adopted a child in Colombia or maybe in another country? What was the process like? HOw long did it take? How was the experience? Thanks for the responses!!

HELLOOOOOO ANYONE?

The grandmother is a legal resident of the United States. She has a green card.

Well grandmother needs a visa as well... I would think they would apply together... Chances are if grandmother gets approved they both do... If grandmother gets denied they both do.