If you want to adopt a child in South Africa, you must approach a registered adoption agency that will screen you and help you look for a child who is available for adoption.
Adoption agencies in South Africa
South Africa has several adoption agencies that you can use to adopt a child. To find a South African adoption agency, visit the Department of Justice and Correctional Services website.
If you are interested in adopting a child from another country or province/city, you may want to contact an agency that specializes in intercountry adoptions.
Find out if you are eligible to adopt a child
You must be over 21 years of age, married or in a permanent relationship, and have a stable income. You must also have a home that is suitable for raising children and not have any criminal convictions. Your home should be free of health hazards such as lead paint or asbestos and also have access to water and electricity.
Becoming a foster parent
If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, the first step is to contact your local Department of Social Development. Your social worker will screen you for potential abuse or neglect and will then train you on how to care for children who may have suffered from trauma.
Once approved by the South African government, your agency will match you with a child who needs temporary care until adoption can be arranged. You’ll receive monthly stipends for each foster child that lives with you.
Who can adopt in South Africa?
To adopt a baby in South Africa, you must be at least 18 years old and married or in a stable relationship with your partner. You will also need to provide a safe and secure home environment for your new child.
It’s important to note that if one partner is not yet 21 years old, they will need a parent or guardian to sign off on their application and proof of parental permission before they can proceed with the adoption process.
How to adopt a child in South Africa
Many people want to adopt a baby in South Africa but because there are so many children in need, it’s hard to find an available child. For this reason, approach a registered adoption agency and ask them if they have any babies waiting for a family. The agency will then screen you and help you look for a child who is available for adoption.
If there are no children available through the agency, they will put your name on a waiting list until they find someone who wants to give up their baby or until someone who has lost their baby comes forward to tell them about it (this happens occasionally).
Before proceeding with any legal procedures, you will need to ensure that your family environment meets certain requirements set by the Department for Social Development:
- You must have a stable home life where there is no violence against anyone (including children).
- Both spouses/partners must commit themselves fully to raising any adopted child as members of the family unit without discrimination based on race or gender identity.
Conclusion
Once you have applied to the adoption agency, they will recommend a suitable child for you to adopt. The agency handles all the legal paperwork and will act as a go-between you and the birth parents. They also help with counselling if required. Once everything is in order, your child can travel home with you on their birthday or any day after this date if it falls during the school holidays. You might be asked to pay an administrative fee when adopting through an agency but there are no other fees involved at this stage except for those charged by local health care providers such as doctor’s visits or hospital stays which may be covered under medical aid plans depending on how much cover they provide per year or month before paying out 100% coverage (R1 million).
