[Archive]

Originally Posted By Arthur

My wife and I lived in Panama from 1993 to 1995. We are now ready for children and are interested in adopting a child from Panama. Please send me reply with any information that may be helpful. Thanks. I was adopted and would like to give an opportunity to someone else now.

[Archive]

Originally Posted By sofia

Arthur, did you get the information you needed for the addoption process? Were you able to adopt from Panama? I am a dual citizen of Panama and the United States and just beginning the process of adopting....if you have not adopted yet, please let me know and I will help you through the process as I walk through it. It helps that I have my complete family in Panama...

Sofia

[Archive]

Originally Posted By Virginia

Sofia,

Wondering if you were successful in adopting from Panama. I also have a dual citizenship and am interested in knowing if there is an opportunity to adopt from Panama.

Thanks,

[ccmccoy]

My husband and I just started the adoption process. We are going through Commonwealth Adoption International, Inc. to adopt from Panama.

Their website is http://www.commonwealthadoption.org/panama.xhtml

I hope this will help you reach your dreams.

Godspeed

[ilisek]

We are considering adopting through Commonwealth. How has your experience been with them so far? Do you recommend using them?

[sak9645]

has an overview of adoption process in Panama. Go to http://travel.state.gov/adopt. Scroll towards the bottom of the page, and click on Panama.

[ilisek]

I couldn't open that web site. However, we are considering adopting from Columbia through Commonwealth, and I'm interested in people's experience with that agency. Thanks.

[panama8885]

Hello.
I am a citizen of Panama and the US and I am looking to adopt a boy from Panama. I want the child to be between the ages of 5 and 9. I saw that many of you have already gone through the process or you have contacts. Can you please give me some hints? I really want to make this happen as quickly as possible. Thank you.
Leon

[ccmccoy]

My husband and I are in the process of adopting 2 children from Panama through Commonwealth Adoption International, Inc. We have had a wonderful experience with them. We are still in the early stages of the process, however, we can tell that Commonwealth is very interested in helping us through this process. I feel very important to them. When I have had a question or concern my emails or phone calls are answered promtly - within 1 to 2 days. They truely understand what I am going through and want to make this a wonderful experience.
You should contact them and ask for information. There is no obligation. They will send you a huge list of references for you to call if you want. They work with many different countries throughout the world and will be there for you every step of the way.

I hope this has helped.

Cheryl

[Websissy]

I'm in the process of adopting from Panama through Commonwealth International. We are one of the first families to adopt a child from Panama with them. I think they have about 6 families so far. One family who started in Nov. (already had home study complete) received a referral child last month

We are still at the early stage - have just completed the home study and are getting ready to start our adoption prep courses with our Commonwealth social worker. I had once heck of a time finding someone to do the required Psychological testing - the Doctor I finally found today still requires some kind of official protocal - I'm waiting to hear back from Commonwealth as to what that is. Any info on this would be appreciated.

All in all my experience so far with Commonwealth has been good - I get the sense that they are very busy.

Keep us posted of your experiences in your Panama adoption journey

[TanyaB]

My husband and I just started the process with panama through commonwealth adoption. Our experience has been good, I do get the feeling they are very busy. How is everyone elses paperwork going. Wondering if anyone knows how long it "usually" takes INS to return your approval once your home study is sent to them.
Good luck to you all,
Tanya

[reb621]

TanyaB,
If the INS already has the rest of your I-600a application and is just waiting on your homestudy, you should get your approval in 1-3 weeks. I sent our I-600a to INS October 22, 2002, then the completed homestudy on Dec. 18. We got the approval (I-171H) on Dec. 23, 2002!


Good luck!

[TanyaB]

Are you working with an agency or just the attorney in Panama?

[reb621]

We are NOT working with an agency. Rather, a friend of a friend recommended this attorney and he is doing everything on the Panamanian side. We took care of all of the paperwork for the U.S. gov't. (I-600A, homestudy, birth/marriage certificates, etc.)

All that Panama requires to start your adoption is that you have a Panamanian attorney present your desire to adopt with the "National Directorial Office of Adoptions for the Ministry of Youth, Women, Children, and Families." This is called a petition to adopt, or "demanda." Once that is done, either that Ministry will match you with a child based on your preferences and the legally-free children, OR you can identify a legally-free child by working directly with an orphanage. We hope to do the latter.

* * * * *
Good news--our attorney assured the friend of a friend that he did in fact submit our dossier and "demanda," and our next step is to identify the child. Yippee!!!

My personal recommendation:
1. IF you can afford it ($15,000 + airfare and food), working through an agency is probably faster and more efficient. You also have a pretty sure outcome. They will keep pestering the appropriate people (attorney, judges, orphanage personnel, etc.) to move your case along, so that's a great deal of pressure lifted from your shoulders.

2. However, if you cannot afford an agency's high fees, going independent is the next best option.

[maggie_va]

reb621:

Would you be willing to post contact inforamtion for your attorney? I have contacted all the agencies with a program in Panama but they all are providing conflicting info on whether single woman can adopt or would be successful adopting.

Thanks!

- Maggie