Sample IBESR Letter for the Haitian Adoption Dossier
Here is a sample IBESR letter that our agency, Foyer de Sion wrote and included in their adoption packet. We used it as an idea for how to write our own. I am providing this information because I have been asked how to go about writing the IBESR letter. Please do not copy it and “fill in the blanks”. Use it as a guide only. The IBESR letter should be a positive letter, not apologetic. This is the one chance the clients have to personally prove themselves. The other documents are about them, but they are not written by them. The whole point of this letter is to explain to IBESR why the client would be a wonderful parent for these children by highlighting… [more]
New IBESR Rules
It has been brought to my attention that the new IBESR rules are out. I found this wonderful information on the Haiti IBESR Updates website: The following is a list of the newest adoption requirements as posted from IBESR to three orphanages: • Copies of each parent-to-be's photo IDs is now required as part of the dossier. This has always been required. However, it is now being enforced. Copies of the photo ID should be front and back and can be a driver's license or passport. • Parent(s) can be at least 30 years old. (If married, one must be 30, the other at least 28.) • If you are married, you should be married for a minimum of 5 years prior to your file being submitted to IBESR. (OR married for 3 years with… [more]
Overview of Steps in Haitian Adoption–Part Two
Continued from Overview of Steps in Haitian Adoption--Part One... When your file has exited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, it will then be prepared for submittal to IBESR. IBESR is Haiti’s Social Services Department. An IBESR social worker will review your file (with your child’s information), and decide whether or not to approve of the adoption. (The director of IBESR, the IBESR lawyer, the head of adoption services at IBESR, and the IBESR social worker must all sign off on your dossier.) This process has traditionally taken the longest time to accomplish. However, there is a new director in charge of IBESR and she has really gotten the process pared down to a more timely fashion. A realistic time-frame at this point would… [more]
Overview of Steps in Haitian Adoption–Part One
Once you have compiled your adoption dossier, you will most likely send it to your agency. They will review your dossier to make sure everything is in order. They will then get it translated and will send it out to be authenticated. Some agencies require that the adoptive parent(s) take care of this process, so be sure to find out from your agency how they go about it. When the dossier is translated and authenticated, it will be sent to your agency’s contact in Haiti. Once the dossier is received in Haiti, and most likely reviewed by Haitian staff, the adoptive parent(s) will be ready to accept a referral. Some agencies will refer waiting children prior to the dossier being complete. The length of time… [more]
The Haitian Adoption Process (for Americans)—The Dossier (part two)
What is needed to complete a Haitian adoption dossier, continued from Part One: • Positive Home Study: A state-licensed agency or social worker must do the home study. The agency and/or social worker should also include a copy of their license. Please request that it be no more than 6-8 pages in length. You need TWO Notarized originals. One for your dossier and one for your I600a which you or your social worker may send. (Notarized & State Authenticated.) • Psychological letter: This letter must contain specific results from a MMPI II (or newer version) test. The letter must also address whether the psychologist/psychiatrist finds the client mentally and emotionally stable and capable of handling more children. The letter may address both parents in one letter… [more]
The Haitian Adoption Process (for Americans)—The Dossier (part one)
The first step in the Haitian adoption process is putting together your adoption dossier. What is required in the dossier? The requirements may vary slightly from agency to agency, but this is a general list of what is needed (please double check with your agency before compiling your dossier): • 4 Passport Photos of each Parent: These will be sent to Haiti with the dossier. The dossier cannot be processed in Haiti without them. DO NOT use the photos off of your passport. • 1-3 Photo Pages: A total of four- color copies of these pages are needed. The pages should contain pictures of the adoptive parents, family and home. No more than 3 pages will be accepted. • IBESR Letter: (Haitian Social Services) This is… [more]
Parental Requirements & The 1974 Law
If you are interested in adopting from Haiti, you might be wondering what he requirements are? • Heterosexual married couples and single women, who are living alone, between the ages of 35-50 are eligible to adopt. • No single men. • Age exceptions may be made for couples under age 35 with documented infertility. • Couples must be married for at least 5 years. • There aren’t any general religious requirements, BUT each agency is different and may have their own specific requirements. (Many agencies with Haiti programs do have a Christian requirement.) • You may adopt two unrelated children at the same time. • Families may have a maximum of four biological children in their home. The requirements for adopted children in the home vary from agency to agency. In October of 2006, a new director… [more]
