How To Adopt A Child In South Africa

Contents show

How To Adopt A Child In South Africa

Costs Involved In Adoption

Depending on the various organizations that facilitate the adoption and whether it is handled by Child Welfare, a government-funded agency, or a private social worker, the cost of adoption varies greatly. Robyn claims that the Department of Social Development and Children’s Court keep an eye on the costs to ensure they remain fair and appropriate for the services rendered and that birth parents are never given money in exchange for giving their child up for adoption is regarded as human trafficking. Child Welfare and other non-profit organizations use a sliding scale to adjust the adoption fee in accordance with the adoptive parent’s income. It can cost up to R60,000 to adopt a child through a private social worker or adoption agency (this sum often includes all external screening and frequently provides counseling and support for the child’s birth mother).

The Child Act Of South Africa

Be aware that the Children’s Act only permits the charging of fees for services rendered during the adoption procedure, such as screening, matching, pronouncing a child to be adaptable, and delivering reports to the provincial Department of Social Development and the Children’s Court. The adoptive parents may also cover the birth mother’s and child’s reasonable medical costs.

How Long Does It Take To Adopt In South Africa

According to adoptive parents, it can take up to a year or longer to register the adoption and issue the Adoption Order. The parents visit Home Affairs after the Adoption Order has been granted to acquire a new birth certificate and an ID number and to officially change their kid’s name (should they choose to do so). Adoptive parents claim that although the Department of Home Affairs has precise service level agreements dictating how long this process should take, this phase of the process can often take a frustratingly long time. Some parents have had to wait two years or longer before receiving a new birth certificate. The best advice from adoptive parents is to periodically follow up and ask other parents for opinions on where the adoption process is the quickest and most effective.

Legally Adopting A Child

The adoptive parents will get what the adoption community refers to as “the call”—a phone call informing them that the social worker has a kid for them—after the matching is finished. After giving the adoptive parents information on the child they have been matched with, the social worker will let them decide whether or not to move through with the adoption. They won’t be permitted to meet the child until the parents give their consent. Depending on the child’s age and circumstances, they may see the child for a set period of time before requesting legal authorization to acquire custody.