Factsheet

Disclaimer: The following is intended as a very general guide to assist U.S. citizens who plan to adopt a child in Panama and apply for an immigrant visa for the child to come to the United States. Two sets of laws are particularly relevant: 1) the laws of Panama govern all activity in Panama including the adoptability of individual children as well as the adoption of children in country. 2) U.S. Federal immigration law governs the immigration of the child to the United States. The information in this flier relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is based on public sources and our current understanding. It does not necessarily reflect the actual state of the laws of Panama and is provided for general information only. Moreover, U.S. immigration law, including regulations and interpretation, changes from time to time. This flyer reflects our current understanding of the law as of this date and is not legally authoritative. Questions involving foreign and U.S. immigration laws and legal interpretation should be addressed respectively to qualified foreign or U.S. legal counsel.

PLEASE NOTE: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the U.S. Embassy in Panama is the first point of contact for prospective adoptive parents ready to proceed with an international adoption. The DHS officer will approve the I-600 petition prior to receipt of an approved I-600A or Visas Thirty-Seven cable. The petition approval by DHS includes a field investigation.

PATTERNS OF IMMIGRATION OF ADOPTED ORPHANS TO THE U.S.: Recent U.S. immigrant visa statistics reflect the following pattern for visa issuance to orphans

Fiscal Year	Number of Immigrant Visas Issued
FY 2004	6
FY 2003	16
FY 2002	7
FY 2001	4
FY 2000	13

ADOPTION AUTHORITY IN Panama:

The government offices responsible for adoptions in Panama are the two major courts, the "Juzgado de la Niñez y Adolescencia" (Children and Minors' Court) and "Juzgados Seccionales de Familia" (Family Courts). There are 12 district courts throughout Panama. These courts are not present in every province; in such provinces the "Juzgados de Circuitos, Ramo Civil" (Circuit Courts) will handle some adoption cases.

Juzgado de la Niñez y Adolescencia- the Juzgado de la Niñez y Adolescencia has jurisdiction over adoption cases of abandoned children, wards of the court, or orphans. The Juzgado de la Niñez y Adolescencia is the legal system for orphan adoptions in Panama. The courts generally require proof from the U.S. government such as the I-600A approval notification that the parent(s) are eligible for adoption.

Juzgados Seccionales de Familia-The Juzgados Seccionales de Familia have jurisdiction over adoption cases where the child has been placed under adoption by written consent of the child's birth parent(s).

You may contact the Ministerio de la Familia at: telephone at 279-0667 or 279-0101, or fax at 279-0713.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS: Panamanian courts allow United States citizens to adopt; however, the courts will first try to place children with citizens of Panama. Most adoptions of Panamanian children by U.S. parents take place in Panama. Less frequently, Panamanian Courts may grant the U.S. citizens guardianship, allowing for adoption following the family's return to he United States. There are no legal impediments to granting guardianship, but the two court systems discourage this practice.

Credits: U.S. Department of State