Adoption is a legal act by which a person or family takes in as a child the biological child of other parents. Law 136-03, in its article 11, defines the nature of adoption as “a legal institution of public order and social interest that allows the creation, through a judgment rendered for this purpose, of a voluntary filiation bond between persons who do not have it by nature.”
According to Article 117 of the Code for the Protection System and Fundamental Rights of Boys, Girls and Adolescents, persons over 30 years of age may adopt, regardless of their marital status, provided that the adopter guarantees physical, moral, social and sexual suitability, which allows offering a child or adolescent a home that guarantees their comprehensive well-being. The same qualities will be required of those who adopt jointly. The age limit for adoption is 60 years, subject to exceptions established by law.
The National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI) is the governing body of the National System for the Protection of the Rights of Children and Adolescents, and its mission is to guarantee the fundamental rights of children and adolescents in the Dominican Republic. Through its Adoption Department, the adoption process is initiated with a letter of request stating the intention to adopt.
The privileged adoption may be of known or unknown parentage, of a national or international nature subject to the place of residence of the applicants to adopt. Each type of adoption process is subject to different requirements.
This process takes 3 to 4 years and includes different phases during the process. It is important to highlight that this period can be reduced in particular scenarios, such as that of children and adolescents who are registered on the reverse flow list, i.e., children with special medical conditions; elderly children and groups of siblings.
At Cáceres Torres we have a large number of success stories and we are available to advise and guide you in your adoption process in the Dominican Republic.
