Factsheet, Page 2

Qualifications for Prospective Adoptive Parent(s): Panamanian law requires that prospective adoptive parent(s) fall within the following categories:

The couple must have been married for at least five years;
The man's age can be no older than 45 and the woman's age no older than 40;
No family line adoptions, meaning grandparents may not adopt their grandchildren and siblings may not adopt their minor siblings;
The courts do not separate siblings. If a parent would like to adopt one child, they must adopt the child's siblings;
There must be an 18-year age difference between the prospective adoptive parent and the child;
Same sex couples are not permitted to adopt children.

RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: There are no residency requirements for adoption in Panama.

TIME FRAME: From start to finish, adoptions in Panama typically take 18-24 months.

ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS : Panama allows adoptions through private agencies and will work through any licensed United States adoption agency.

Prospective adopting parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.- based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adopting parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located.

Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at our Web site (http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/info/info_454.html).

ADOPTION FEES IN Panama: Typical fees for an adoption in Panama are $1,000-$2,500.

ADOPTION PROCEDURES: To begin the adoption process, an attorney must present the necessary paperwork in the form of a "demanda" or petition for the courts to review. Usually, the adoptive parent(s) and their attorney will communicate with the judge's staff until the petition is ready for review. If the judge approves the petition, the judge will forward the documents to the "Registro Civil de Panama" (Civil Register). The adoption is not official until it is published in the Civil Register and the judge has signed a final decree.

Both courts have similar processes for international adoptions:

The prospective parent(s) and the lawyer must submit the "demanda", or petition, to the courts. For the "Juzgados Seccionales de Familia", the adoptive parent(s) must have the birth parent(s) sign a document that "irrevocably" grants custody to release the child for adoption and immigration to the adoptive parent(s) or adoption agency.

* In adoption cases where prospective adoptive parent(s) are granted legal guardianship of a child in orderto adopt the child in the United States, a Panamanian judge must interview the adoptive parent(s) and determine that an adoption outside of Panama is in the best interests of the child. This often includes a psychological evaluation of the parent(s) by a social worker. This evaluation can be performed by a comparable agency in the United States. The "Juzgados Seccional de Familia" requires a special investigation by a court- appointed agency to certify that the child is an orphan.

A judge must approve the departure of a child from Panama if the child is leaving without the child's natural parent(s) or legal guardian. The judge will grant the prospective parents guardianship for a trial period. If the judge determines that the child's adjustment has been successful, the adoption is finalized under Panamanian law. If the judge is concerned about the child's welfare, the judge may extend the trial period or cancel the process altogether.

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Credits: U.S. Department of State