[maavjiam]

Anyone have any information that they could pass on??

thanks

maav

[mgummere]

Not sure if this helps, but I have some info on:
http://www.myadoptionlinks.com/Uruguay

Mary

[maavjiam]

thank you very much. i have emailed the hostess.

maav

[maavjiam]

Well I received a great deal of information today - beyond May Lee @ Adoption Canada and the Canadian Immigration Officer I spoke to...I was able to speak with the Consulate General of UY and I will be mailed lawyer names and number for assistance in adopting internationally while living in their country. He said that children are subject under the same laws as there which I'm not sure what that means...As well he informed me that UY does not look highly upon adoption and that it is very very diffcult to adopt, especially if you want to adopt a UY child...but not that you can't but it's not a happy thing...to put it nicely. So I questioned "what about all those children"...and he said I understand.

So I'm going to speak to my sister in law who is a lawyer and see what she finds out for me once I get the names. This way she is there and can ask specific questions. Then I will contact Immigration Canada again with the proper information and see how I can bring my child home with me. heave forbid Uruguay doesn't let her leave with me.

The Consulate General told me that if it was possible for me to adopt prior to leaving then tha would be a better recommendation as it is "hell" to adopt in UY...wow eh!

Let's see what I find out. So as I mentioned in the other post. It would be MY SUGGESTION that if you are considering to adopt while living in another country and then returning to canada would be to contact that country's embassy or conslate and get all the information in "writing" and them move from there. he told me that my planning ahead is a VERY smart move because great dissappointments can happy and now I will be prepared...

So that you know I want to adopt from China but this information also applies to if you want to adopt a child from Uruguay. After reading what I did about adoption of UY it is heartbreaking and I don't know what I would do if the state took my child back if someone reclaimed him or her....please check the US government website for further details in a post above.

Have a great day everyone.

MAAV

[maavjiam]

Hello there to those of you who were interested. I have a 12 page document that I cannot post here, but if you would like it I can give it to you. Email me at la_petisa2103@hotmail.com

Also, I have a long message to follow but I did not translate every work, just the summary of what it is saying.

Basically as long as a country is part of the Hauge convention you can adopt internationally while living in Uruguay and if you want to adopt internationally from US or Canada a child from Uruguay you can, but you will have to go there. You will have to present a number of documents, intentions and have a "homestudy" completed and everything will be reviewed by a judge in Uruguay. I do have a few lawyers names if you are interested and you would have to contact them....

You do need a lawyer within the family court. My sister in law found a lot of information for me by speaking to some lawyer colleagues of hers.

I also asked her "what happens to the children there", basically children can be and are adopted and that precedence is given to those living in uruguay with uruguayan residence/citizenship....however it is a lenghty and paper filled process doing it internationally - much easier ifyou are there....not to scare anyone off but you would have to be in uruguay for 6 months unless you are able to work out an arrangement and get special permission from a judge....but being there is a much better idea then doing it from here.

I found by calling agencies that work with South American countries that they can help you adopt from Uruguay and that they know the proceures etc...so it IS possible.

In my next post I will post the information I was forwarded except for the 12 document.

CHEERS

MAAV

[maavjiam]

CODIGO D ELA NIÑEZ Y DE LA ADOLESCENCIA
ADOPCIÓN INTERNACIONAL
Artículo 150. (Principio general).- En defecto de convenios internacionales ratificados por la República, las adopciones internacionales se regularán por las disposiciones de este Capítulo.

Se considera adopción internacional a la que se lleva a cabo por matrimonios con domicilio o residencia habitual en el extranjero, con relación a niños o adolescentes con domicilio o residencia habitual en la República.

Artículo 151. (Preferencia).- El Instituto Nacional del Menor y las demás autoridades con competencia en materia de adopción, deberán dar preferencia a la ubicación de los niños o adolescentes adoptables en familias u hogares que los requieran y vivan dentro del territorio nacional.

Preference is given to those living in the territory of Uruguay first to adopt the child, then international adoptees.

Artículo 152. (Requisitos).- Las adopciones internacionales se constituirán con la intervención preceptiva del Instituto Nacional del Menor, quien una vez obtenidos todos los antecedentes presentará en el plazo de sesenta días un informe pormenorizado, teniendo asimismo los demás requisitos previstos en los artículos 133, 145 y 154 de este Código.

The institute of adoption will conduct a background check (home study) of the couple/family and they will complete this within a time frame of 60 days.

El no pronunciamiento en plazo se tendrá por aceptación.
Artículo 153. (Residencia).- La adopción internacional tendrá el mismo efecto que la legitimación adoptiva, pudiendo acceder a ella cónyuges cuya unión matrimonial no sea inferior a cuatro años.

COuple (heterosexual) Must be married 4 years.

(Los efectos de la legitimación adoptiva son que el hijo pasa a ser como un hijo que hubiera nacido del matrimonio adoptante (hijo legítimo del matrimonio) y caducan los vínculos de filiación anterior del niño)

Child will lose his/her background (family history) and will be recognized as your child as if in birth.

Sólo se realizará con aquellos países cuyas normas en materia de adopción y protección de niños y adolescentes tengan una razonable equivalencia con las de nuestro país.

This is only done with countries who hold the same values as the adoption values in Uruguay. Added: For example child cannot be adopted for illegal purposes.

Los adoptantes deberán residir y convivir con el niño o adolescente en el territorio nacional, aun en forma alternada, por un plazo de seis meses. Por razones fundadas y teniendo en cuenta el interés superior del niño, el plazo podrá ser reducido por el Juez competente.

The couple/family must reside with the child in Uruguay for 6 months. However it does not have to be 6 months full term, you can ask for alternatives and exemptions as long as it is in the best intrest of the child (a judge will decide).

Artículo 154. (Documentos necesarios).- Con la solicitud de la adopción se deberá presentar la documentación justificativa de las condiciones físicas, morales, económicas y familiares de los solicitantes. Los informes y documentos al respecto deberán tramitarse por medio de las autoridades centrales del país de los adoptantes y de la República.

This is a list of mandatory documentations.

Below is a explanation of the “legal” process...this is where a lawyer of family court comes in handy.
Artículo 155. (Competencia).- Serán competentes para el otorgamiento de la adopción internacional los Jueces de Familia del domicilio del adoptado, quienes procederán de acuerdo a los trámites del juicio extraordinario del Código General del Proceso (artículo 346). La apelación se regirá por la misma normativa (artículo 347).

Los solicitantes deberán comparecer a la audiencia preliminar en forma personal, preceptivamente. También deberán hacerlo cuando el Tribunal, en forma fundada, lo considere conveniente.

El impedimento fundado de los solicitantes a concurrir personalmente a la audiencia hará que el Juzgado fije otra, pero en ningún caso se permitirá la representación por apoderado.

Hasta tanto no haya recaído sentencia firme, para que el niño o adolescente pueda salir del país deberá hacerlo en compañía de uno de los solicitantes, contando con autorización judicial, la que no podrá concederse sin intervención preceptiva del Ministerio Público, si fundadamente se probare la integración del niño.

Artículo 156. (Juicios de anulación).- Corresponde a los Jueces de Familia que autorizaron la adopción, la tramitación de los juicios de anulación, los que serán resueltos teniendo en cuenta el interés superior del niño o adolescente. El trámite se regirá por el procedimiento extraordinario del Código General del Proceso (artículos 346 y 347).

Artículo 157. (Nacionalidad).- Los niños y adolescentes de nacionalidad oriental adoptados por extranjeros domiciliados en el exterior mantienen su nacionalidad, sin perjuicio de adquirir, además, la de los adoptantes.

Children will not lose their nationality when being adopted by non-uruguayans, Uruguay allows for dual citizenship.

[TheHollands]

I spoke recently with Ana Maria Brisco of DLAYA (national adoption dept for Uruguay). She said adoptions by foreigners are rarely done, usually only for older children (6 & up), that there are 400 families waiting to adopt and a 4 year waiting list. Not encouraging. She also said that because the U.S. is not a "Hague" country they wouldn't approve an adoption. This may change next year I suppose.

I saw a few orphan visas were issued last year for Chilean children. You may want to give that a little research time.

I know Argentina is closed to foreign adopters but I'm going to give it a try because I have dual citizenship and a contact there. These three countries in particular have a large European immigrant population, a melting pot like the States so in my case a child adopted from there will fit in with my three biological children, that's my motivation but it's definitely an unmarked journey we're on.

[maavjiam]

thanks for posting the information. Because my husband is a citizen and my sister in law a lawyer it shouldn't be difficult for us (you know contacts help) if we were going to adopt from there. I would live there for the 3 month period required. But we did here that it's usually 6 years and above, it's written somewhere, unless it was my sister in law who told me...sad thing is there are a lot of children in need of homes, but there are a few other stipulations there..

anyhow, I really wish you all the best and hope you can adopt from Uruguay or Argentina. If you are interested in South America if you are American you are able to adopt from both Colombia and Guatemala, but if you are Canadian then Guatemala is not open to you.

Again the info you provided will be helpful to someone else on here who was looking for info.

Cheers
mAAV

[urmovingwhere]

I am a US citizen living in Uruguay with my husband and 2 year old daughter. We are applying for our permanent residency and are interested in adoption from here. I know there are recent reforms but I have just started digging for more updated information on Uruguayan adoption.

Anyone from this thread have updated info? What have you experienced since 2006? Speaking Spanish, living in the country and having residency couldn't hurt us, but I hear it could still potentially be a long wait and we could run into problems with the USA acknowledging the adoption if we ever choose to return there.

FYI- we are also interested in the possibility of a special needs/diabetic child. I have type 1 diabetes, am in excellent health and know what it takes first hand.

Any updated info you have would be helpful.
Lisa

[sak9645]

Here is what the U.S. State Department says. Please note that the information was last updated in March, 2009

Uruguay is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore all adoptions between Uruguay and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.

While intercountry adoptions are legal in Uruguay, Uruguayan law explicitly favors local adoptions over intercountry adoptions. Prospective adoptive parents must live in Uruguay with the child they plan to adopt for a minimum of six months. A judge may reduce this time requirement on a case-by-case basis if he/she believes it is in the best interests of the child.

Note: Special transition provisions apply to adoptions initiated before April 1, 2008. Learn more.


Last Updated: March 2009

DISCLAIMER


WHO CAN ADOPT

Adoption between the United States and Uruguay is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Uruguay, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn more.

In addition to these U.S. requirements for prospective adoptive parents, Uruguay also has the following requirements for prospective adoptive parents:

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: Prospective adoptive parents are required to reside in Uruguay for a minimum of six months.
AGE REQUIREMENTS:
Simple Adoption Process: With a simple adoption, birth parents do not relinquish all parental rights over the child. It is important to note that while this may fulfill the adoption requirement in Uruguay, it will not necessarily fulfill the U.S. immigration requirements. Any person more than 25 years old and at least fifteen years older than the child to be adopted, who has had the prospective child under his/her care for at least one year, is eligible to adopt. Consent of the spouse is required if the adopting person is married.



Adoption Legitimating Process: The legitimating process is an irrevocable release of parental rights by the birth parents. The child will be registered as the adoptive parent’s child and a new birth certificate is issued bearing the adoptive parents’ names. Adoption eligibility requirements for this type of adoption are as follows. Spouses more than 25 years old and at least fifteen years older than the child to be adopted, who have been married for at least four years, and who have had the prospective child under their care for at least one year are eligible. In the case of intercountry adoptions, the guardianship period may be shortened to six months.



WHO CAN BE ADOPTED

Because Uruguay is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Uruguay must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the Convention requires that Uruguay attempt to place a child with a family in-country before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry adoption. In addition to Uruguay’s requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Waiting Period DLAYA staff members make the final decision concerning the applicants’ eligibility to adopt a child. Once approved, the couple is added to the waiting list. The length of the evaluation process varies according to staff availability. The average waiting time to complete an adoption from start to finish is four years.


HOW TO ADOPT

Uruguay’s Adoption Authority
Departamento de Adopción y Legitimación Adoptiva (DLAYA or Department of Adoption and Legitimating of Adoptions


The Process

Because Uruguay is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from Uruguay must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention’s requirements. A brief summary of the Convention adoption process is given below. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all necessary legal requirements.

NOTE: If you filed your I-600a with Uruguay before April 1, 2008, the Hague Adoption Convention may not apply to your adoption. Your adoption could continue to be processed in accordance with the immigration regulations for non-Convention adoptions. Learn more.



Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider
Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
Be Matched with a Child
Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
Adopt the Child in Uruguay
Bring your Child Home

1. Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider:

The first step in adopting a child from Uruguay is to select an adoption service provider in the United States that has been accredited. Only these agencies and attorneys can provide adoption services between the United States and Uruguay. Learn more.


2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt:

After you choose an accredited adoption service provider, you apply to be found eligible to adopt (Form I-800A) by the U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn how.

Once the U.S. government determines that you are “eligible” and “suitable” to adopt, you or your agency will forward your information to the adoption authority in Uruguay. Uruguay’s adoption authority will review your application to determine whether you are also eligible to adopt under Uruguay’s law.


3. Be Matched with a Child:

If both the United States and Uruguay determine that you are eligible to adopt, and a child is available for intercountry adoption, the central adoption authority in Uruguay may provide you with a referral for a child. Each family must decide for itself whether or not it will be able to meet the needs of the particular child and provide a permanent family placement for the referred child.


4. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption:

After you accept a match with a child, you will apply to the U.S Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for provisional approval to adopt that particular child (Form I-800). USCIS will determine whether the child is eligible under U.S. law to be adopted and enter the United States. Learn how.

After this, your adoption service provider or you will submit a visa application for to a Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy. The Consular Officer will review the child’s information and evaluate the child for possible visa ineligibilities. If the Consular Office determines that the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States, he/she will notify the Uruguay’s adoption authority (Article 5 letter). For Convention country adoptions, prospective adoptive parent(s) may not proceed with the adoption or obtain custody for the purpose of adoption until this takes place.

Remember: The Consular Officer will make a final decision about the immigrant visa later in the adoption process.


5. Adopt the Child (or Gain Legal Custody) in Uruguay:

Remember: Before you adopt (or gain legal custody of) a child in Uruguay, you must have completed the above four steps. Only after completing these steps, can you proceed to finalize the adoption or grant of custody for the purposes of adoption in Uruguay.

The process for finalizing the adoption (or gaining legal custody) in Uruguay generally includes the following:

ROLE OF THE ADOPTION AUTHORITY: Adoptions through DLAYA and the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano follow a similar process with an initial interview with the prospective adoptive parent that is used to explain the adoption process, the documents required, the legal aspects and expectations. After the prospective adoptive parents submit the required documentation, an evaluation process begins through group activities and personal interviews with psychologists and social workers of DLAYA, including a home study.

Once a child is assigned to a couple, a one-year period of legal custody (guardianship) begins. During this period, INAU periodically monitors the family to ensure the welfare of the child. Biological parents can claim the child during this period. Any such claim must be made through DLAYA and a judge is assigned to protect the privacy of the foster family. The four years listed above refer to the entire waiting period starting from the time prospective adoptive parents are first registered and a child is selected. Then, another year during legal custody and/or co-residency, which can be reduced to 6 months

ROLE OF THE COURT: Once the parental rights of the birth parents are terminated, the child has completed a one-year period of legal custody (guardianship) with the prospective adoptive parents, and INAU has submitted a recommendation for approval, a judge will finalize the adoption process by awarding all legal rights regarding the child to the adoptive parents.

TIME FRAME: The adoption process in Uruguay can take four to five years from start to finish.
ADOPTION FEES: In the adoption services contract that you sign at the beginning of the adoption process, your agency will itemize the fees and estimated expenses related to your adoption process.

Some of the fees specifically associated with adopting from Uruguay include:

The U.S. Embassy in Uruguay discourages the payment of any fees that are not properly receipted, “donations,” or “expediting” fees, that may be requested from prospective adoptive parents. Such fees have the appearance of “buying” a baby and put all future adoptions in Uruguay at risk.

DLAYA provides legal counseling at no cost. Even though the whole adoption process is free, the Uruguayan authorities charge for required documents and services they provide, prior to the adoption, such as legalization of foreign documents, and/or marriage, birth, police certificates. There is no information regarding private attorney’s fees
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: Original birth certificate of each prospective adoptive parent.
Local Police Records (Certificado de Antecedentes) issued by the Ministry of the Interior, for each prospective adoptive parent
An original marriage certificate for the prospective adoptive parents
Income certificate of each prospective parent.
Health certificate of each prospective parent.
Identification card of each prospective parent.
Voting Registration Card (Credencial Civica) of each prospective parent (if applicable)
Photocopy of marriage booklet (libreta de matrimonio), if applicable
Current color photographs of each prospective parent.

Additional documents may be requested. If you are asked to provide proof that a document from the United States is authentic, we can help.



NOTE: Prospective adoptive parents of Uruguayan children should not consider the above list to be comprehensive or exhaustive. Since intercountry adoptions are not typical, prospective adoptive parents should contact DLAYA for further inquiries on documentary requirements.




6. Bring Your Child Home

Now that your adoption is complete (or you have obtained legal custody of the child), there are a few more steps to take before you can head home. Specifically, you need to apply for three documents for your child before he or she can travel to the United States:

Birth Certificate
You will first need to apply for a new birth certificate for your child, so that you can later apply for a passport. Your name will be added to the new birth certificate.

Uruguay Passport

Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a travel document or Passport from Uruguay.

U.S. Immigrant Visa
After you obtain the new birth certificate and passport for your child, you also need to apply for an U.S. visa from the United States Embassy for your child. After the adoption (or custody for purpose of adoption) is granted, visit the U.S Embassy for final review and approval of the child’s I-800 petition and to obtain a visa for the child. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. As part of this process, the Consular Officer must be provided the “Panel Physician’s” medical report on the child if it was not provided during the provisional approval stage. Learn more.

Once the adoption process is complete and the adoptive parents are in possession of all the required documents (listed below), they should contact the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section Immigrant Visa Unit to schedule a visa interview appointment. Phone (598-2) 418 7777 #2388 or e-mail to: MontevideoIV@state.gov.

In general, the following original documents are required to process an immigrant visa for adoption cases:

· I-800A (Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a child from a Convention Country;

· I-800 (Petition to Classify a Convention Adoptee as an immediate Relative) if it has not been filed directly with the USCIS in the United States;

· Adoptive parents’ valid passports

· Child’s Uruguayan passport.

· Two (2) passport photos (5 x 5 cm. with white background).

· Forms DS230 Part I and II

· Child's original and new birth certificates legalized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and English translations.

· Final court Adoption decree legalized by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an English translation.

· Immigrant Visa fees as per Schedule of Fees for Consular Services

· Medical examination (done by the panel physicians designated by the Consular Section)

Additional Documents: Since each case is different, it is possible that the consular officer may require additional documents after a preliminary review of the application of the prospective adoptive parent(s).

Note: Visa issuance after the final interview now generally takes at least 24 hours and it will not normally be possible to provide the visa to adoptive parents on the day of the interview. Adoptive parents should verify current processing times at the appropriate consulate or embassy before making final travel arrangements.



Child Citizenship Act



For adoptions finalized abroad: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your child to acquire American citizenship when he or she enters the United States as lawful permanent residents.



For adoptions to be finalized in the United States: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your child to typically acquire American citizenship when the U.S. state court issues the final adoption decree. We urge your family to finalize the adoption in a U.S. State court as quickly as possible.



*Please be aware that if your child did not qualify to become a citizen upon entry to the United States, it is very important that you take the steps necessary so that your child does qualify as soon as possible. Failure to obtain citizenship for your child can impact many areas of his/her life including family travel, eligibility for education and education grants, and voting.

Learn more about the Child Citizenship Act.




Statistics





TRAVELING ABROAD

Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Uruguay. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports.

Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print—all in one place.

Obtaining Your Visa
In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation.

To find information about obtaining a visa for Uruguay, see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information.

Staying Safe on Your Trip
Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department is a good place to start.

The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.

Staying in Touch on Your Trip
When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there’s a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Uruguay, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you.

Registration is free and can be done online.

Sharon



AFTER ADOPTION

What does Uruguay require of the adoptive parents after the adoption?

We strongly urge you to comply with the wish of Uruguay and complete all post-adoption requirements in a timely manner. Your adoption agency may be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to that country’s history of positive experiences with American parents.

What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it’s another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.

Here are some good places to start your support group search:

· Child Welfare Information Gateway

· North American Council on Adoptable Children

Note: Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.


CONTACT INFORMATION

U.S. Embassy in Uruguay
Lauro Muller 1776
Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel. (598-2) 418-7777 Ext. 2365
Fax (598-2) 418-4110
E-mail: MontevideoACS@state.gov

Uruguay’s’ Adoption Authority
DLAYA
Rio Branco 1394
Montevideo, Uruguay
Tel: (598 2) 908-3219
E-mail Minaudlaya@adinet.com.uy

Embassy of Uruguay
1913 I (Eye) Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Tel. (202) 331-1313
Fax (202) 331-8142
e-mail: Mconuruwashi@uruwashi.org

*COUNTRY also has consulates in: Chicago, IL; Coral Gables, FL; New York, NY; Santa Monica, CA; and San Juan, Puerto Rico

Office of Children’s Issues

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street, NW

SA-29

Washington, DC 20520

Tel: 1-888-407-4747
E-mail: AskCI@state.gov

Welcome to Adoption.State.Gov



U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)

1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)