[Kathy]

Hello All. Just wondering if anyone has completed a Costa Rican adoption lately? If so, how did it go? How long did it take, what agency did you use, etc? Thanks!

[amyden14850]

Hi Kathy,
Have you gotten any replies? I am also interested in adopting Costa Rica. Adoptions Resources, Inc. has a program there. Has anyone worked with them? What have people's experiences been like with Costa Rican adoption? Amy

[Kathy]

Nope- no replies. Maybe Costa Rica is just beginning to open up for adoptions? I have heard that International Adoption Resources (IAR) out of Florida is starting up a program. They have it listed on their website. If you hear anything on adoptions in Costa Rica, I'd appreciate the info too. Thanks!

[tinkerkel]

We attempted a CR Adoption last year and it was right before a law prohibiting direct adoptions (we consider them private adoptions). Recently, the law was overturned....but there are a number of unknowns. I was looking, myself to see if anyone was attempting it again.

There are a few agencies opening up programs....but I have to say at this time, I think it is VERY uncertain (just look at the stats). I have done a lot of research and have talked to several lawyers and the embassy there. You have to keep in mind that VERY few adoptions are processed by US citizens before and after the law that was overturned.

Saying that, if you or your spouse are Costa Rican, it is probably much easier to adopt.

I will be traveling in August and will probably find out more....the overturned law was just annouced to the US Embassy last week.

I have and will be posting all the information that I obtain on cradopt.com. I am not an agency. None of this information has been posted on DOS nor is it readily available (which is why I dedicated a site for it).

If you have questions, please comment on the site:
Kelly
guatadopt.com
cradopt.com

[L8626]

I am concerned with the adoption possibilities in Costa Rica. My husband and I are very close to beginning the process with IAR in Florida and they act so confident but I just don't know. We wer told by a friend in Costa Rica that the law had changed, he called to tell us, so we looked into it and it does seem possible but that does not mean it will happen. Does anyone have any real information. I guess I am not sure what to do at this point.

Thanks. Laura

[abigail&katie]

Laura:

I am starting the adoption process too and am planning on going to Costa Rica using IAR. I, too, was skeptical, but I received a very informative message from IAR about why things are now different and should work fine. I feel alot more confident about it after receiving this message.

Nothing is a guarantee, but I feel it is safer right now than Guatemala.

Private mail me if you want me to send you the e-mail I received.

Angie

[Evelyn]

I think with Guatamala being so uncertain many people are looking for an alternative Latin American country. If anyone know what is the age range for children to be adopted. Also, are there age restriction for the adoptive parents?

[lucky17186]

I am currently in the process of adopting a child from Costa Rica. I am going through an adoption agency in Florida called "International Adoption Resource". The staff is excellent and I feel very caring. I originally was going to go to Guatemala, but with all the problems down there right now I felt it might be better to look at other options. I do not have a referral for a child as of yet, but who knows, it may be sometime soon. Please let me know if anyone has any questions about this agency. I would highly recommend them.

Linda

[slylurker]

We are currently adopting two girls from Costa Rica. We got our referral for these two sisters from the PANI this week. We started the process in May with Lutheran Social Services of the South. They've been great and have been a big help for us. We've been told to expect finalization to be at least another 2 months.

[richard p.]

I spoke to AIR yesterday and the program sounds too good to be true. We have adopted once , so we have gone through the process. I have several "qualms"about AIR. There pricing seems to be about $5000 more than other agencys. When calling, you always get voice mail. They said that they can arange to have the child esorted back so you do not have return a second time. They have not placed yet, but they say that there are a 1/2 dozen pending adoptions. Is anyone on this forum one of those people and if so how is it going.

[maggie_va]

I am also considering IAR and their program in Costa Rica. They seem very confident that the adoptions will go through with no problem. The seem to be working with attornies that have plenty of adoption exprience. Still, I am waiting to see how long it will take for adoptions to progress. BTW what are the fees IAR is charging for Costa Rica? Also, does anyone know of other agencies that do adoptions from Costa Rica?

Thanks!

[richard p.]

Their agency fee is 5k, and the country fee is 12k to 15 k. I found another agency commonwealthadoption.org with a program. I have not spoken to them yet. I saw that Lutheran Social Services- south has a program.

[Neicey]

I am not planning on adopting from Costa Rica, but the Ukraine. I do want to say that I checked with alot of agenceys, and I chose the wone that fufilled what answered a;ll my questions and they are a little more expensive but they are offering things that others didn't! I Always ask to talk to some of their past clients!! I think that saying... YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR come to mind
Good Luck

[costarica1]

I am from Costa Rica and am interested in adoptiong there, that is how I originally came across this discussion. I have bad news for those of you using the international adoption agency based in florida that was referred to earlier. To my horror, while I was reading the Costa Rican news online at nacion.com, I found out that the agency you guys mentioned was not approved for work in Costa Rica due to irregularities dicovered by the Pani. Even worse, they were mentioned in this article in connection to the discovery of 8 babies that were rescued in Costa Rica yesterday, and who are believed to have been stolen from hospitals in Guatemala. Please do more research before working with these people and call the US Embassy in Costa Rica. I know none of you would knowingly adopt a stolen baby but it's very important not to get taken in with promises of how easy it will be.

sincerely, a

[richard p.]

What is the date of the article you are refering to? I read Spanish so I would like to see for myself. Thanks so much for the info. I will be calling the U.S. Embacy in San Jose and I will call the Costa Rican consulate here in New York. I will pass on any info I find. I need to take a deep breath however, the news is shocking. As I mentioned in my first post, the program sounded too good to be true.