Step 1
The adoption process from Burundi has four big parts. Preparing and compiling documents to send to Burundi; selecting the child you wish to adopt; sending your documents to Burundi for review and approval; and traveling to Burundi to complete your adoption.
First you must gather and prepare all of the documents needed for your adoption. This includes obtaining criminal and child abuse clearances, spending time with a Social Worker as a part of a Home Study, receiving a federally required 10 hours of training, obtaining reference letters, employment verification, birth certificates, approval from US Immigration, and so forth. Once you have gathered your documents, you must prove that the signatures and seals on the documents are authentic. In most cases it takes at least 6 months to get through this part of the paperwork. Much of that time is spent waiting for US Immigration to process your paperwork. This part of the adoption is often referred to as "the paper chase." You will receive step-by-step assistance through this process, with unlimited consultation and review.
Step 2
Once you have been generally approved to adopt a child or sibling group by both your social worker and US Immigration, you may review profiles of children available to be adopted. Younger children, under 3, are frequently in foster care. Older children are more likely to be in group care. Child profiles include photos; short videos when available; results of at least one medical exam; the results of blood tests, including tests for HIV and Hepatitis; birth family histories when available; and care histories. You may take this information to a physician of your choice to help with the decision making process. When you choose a child or sibling group other families are not able to review the information on your child(ren). You may then prepare a letter to the Burundi government requesting your child(ren).
Step 3
The third step is sending all of your documents to Burundi. There our partners will translate all of your documents and submit them to the Burundi government. Your request to adopt your child(ren) will normally be approved in 2 months or less. Once your request has been approved, your case will be submitted to the US Embassy in Bujumbura (the capitol of Burundi). In most cases they will give advance approval of the placement in 1 or 2 weeks. You may then travel to Burundi. In most cases travel will take place in 1 – 2 months.
Step 4
Step 4, bringing your child(ren) home. In Burundi you will be met by your English speaking guide at the airport. You will be escorted to all official and orphanage meetings, as well as on shopping and cultural experiences. Your child(ren) will be brought to you. If practical you will be able to visit the location where your child was found, the place where your child has been cared for (orphanage or foster home), and the child’s birth family (if known and available). Court and paperwork processing normally takes 1 – 2 weeks. You will now be the legal parent(s) of your child(ren), with an adoption decree in hand, and your child(ren) traveling under Burundi passports.
You will then travel to the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. There you will apply for your child(ren) to be granted a Visa to the United States as legal immigrants. This process usually takes less than a week, at which time you return to the United States.
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