PANAMA
In January of 2000, Panama ratified the "Hague
Convention on the Protection of Children and
Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption".
Jurisdiction over all adoption cases of abandoned
children, wards of the state, or orphans were now
under the "Dirección Nacional de Adopciones" (DNA).
International adoption proceedings are conducted and
monitored by attorneys licensed in that country and
working directly with the DNA. Panama has an
organized method of approaching international
adoption that works in the best interest of the children
but at the same time works to benefit adoptive parents.
Children in Panama that have been abandoned by their
biological parents are placed in orphanages in several
provinces throughout the country. Recently, the DNA
adjusted the procedures affecting these children to
assure that when referred for international adoption, all
legal proceedings establishing the abandonment and
legalizing their status is complete. Therefore, when a
child is referred, the legal process in the Children and
Minors court has been completed and the parents can
travel on the initial trip quickly.
CHILDREN
Ethnic background of the children of this country is the
result of the mixing of three cultures: persons of
European backgrounds and mestizos [mixed European
and indigenous heritage]; the peoples who originally
inhabited the land, commonly called Indians; and Afro-
Antilleans [descendants of Africans who were brought
to the Caribbean hundreds of years ago. The majority
of the children available for adoption are mestizo
background mixed with European, and vary in
appearance from having dark skin and eyes to having
mostly Caucasian features.
PROCESS
The process of adoption in Panama is a little different
from other countries. Naturally a
dossier is required, and upon submission is translated
and presented to the DNA. Waiting times vary, but in
general, it will be 12-16 months before receiving a
referral of a child. Pictures, a medical history and
possibly some social information will be provided on the
child. Due to the new processes the DNA has instituted
in completing legal procedures affecting the child prior
to referral, parents will normally be able to travel
approximately 2-3 weeks after acceptance of the
referral.
After receipt of a referral, the family reviews the
information provided, which will include pictures, a
medical history and social information. Upon
acceptance by family, written acceptance letter is
forwarded to the Panama attorney. The family then
travels to Panama for the Judge interview and
temporary custody order [this usually takes 7-8 days].
The Judge makes a determination and orders
temporary custody with the prospective parents. This
temporary custody period can be done in two ways:
either the parent(s) may stay in Panama with the child
for the period required [3‐6 months] or, more
commonly, the attorneys ask that the temporary
custody be completed in the parents’ country of
residence. During this time, the family’s home study
agency supervises the adjustment of the child and the
family.
At the end of this temporary custody period, the agency
submits and report to the Judge and the parents travel
to Panama a second time to have the final adoption
appearance.
Beacon House has contracted with attorneys in
Panama to provide all legal adoption procedures in-
country. The attorney speak English and will be
available to the family throughout their time in Panama.
They will also assist the family with accommodation and
transportation.
SPECIFICS
Married couples, single women, age 25 years or older
[while there is no upper age limit in the law, generally
mid-50's is not eligible for infants]; prior divorces
acceptable, at least one spouse must be a US citizen.
Time frame: Generally, the entire process takes from
16-24 months, from presentation of dossier to final
adoption by the Court authorities, and including the
temporary custody period described above.
Referral time frame:
8-12 MONTHS [will vary depending on age/gender of
child sought]
Referrals: Referrals are made by the DNA after receipt
of completed dossiers.
CALL TODAY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
(850) 430-4005
In January of 2000, Panama ratified the "Hague
Convention on the Protection of Children and
Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption".
Jurisdiction over all adoption cases of abandoned
children, wards of the state, or orphans were now
under the "Dirección Nacional de Adopciones" (DNA).
International adoption proceedings are conducted and
monitored by attorneys licensed in that country and
working directly with the DNA. Panama has an
organized method of approaching international
adoption that works in the best interest of the children
but at the same time works to benefit adoptive parents.
Children in Panama that have been abandoned by their
biological parents are placed in orphanages in several
provinces throughout the country. Recently, the DNA
adjusted the procedures affecting these children to
assure that when referred for international adoption, all
legal proceedings establishing the abandonment and
legalizing their status is complete. Therefore, when a
child is referred, the legal process in the Children and
Minors court has been completed and the parents can
travel on the initial trip quickly.
CHILDREN
Ethnic background of the children of this country is the
result of the mixing of three cultures: persons of
European backgrounds and mestizos [mixed European
and indigenous heritage]; the peoples who originally
inhabited the land, commonly called Indians; and Afro-
Antilleans [descendants of Africans who were brought
to the Caribbean hundreds of years ago. The majority
of the children available for adoption are mestizo
background mixed with European, and vary in
appearance from having dark skin and eyes to having
mostly Caucasian features.
PROCESS
The process of adoption in Panama is a little different
from other countries. Naturally a
dossier is required, and upon submission is translated
and presented to the DNA. Waiting times vary, but in
general, it will be 12-16 months before receiving a
referral of a child. Pictures, a medical history and
possibly some social information will be provided on the
child. Due to the new processes the DNA has instituted
in completing legal procedures affecting the child prior
to referral, parents will normally be able to travel
approximately 2-3 weeks after acceptance of the
referral.
After receipt of a referral, the family reviews the
information provided, which will include pictures, a
medical history and social information. Upon
acceptance by family, written acceptance letter is
forwarded to the Panama attorney. The family then
travels to Panama for the Judge interview and
temporary custody order [this usually takes 7-8 days].
The Judge makes a determination and orders
temporary custody with the prospective parents. This
temporary custody period can be done in two ways:
either the parent(s) may stay in Panama with the child
for the period required [3‐6 months] or, more
commonly, the attorneys ask that the temporary
custody be completed in the parents’ country of
residence. During this time, the family’s home study
agency supervises the adjustment of the child and the
family.
At the end of this temporary custody period, the agency
submits and report to the Judge and the parents travel
to Panama a second time to have the final adoption
appearance.
Beacon House has contracted with attorneys in
Panama to provide all legal adoption procedures in-
country. The attorney speak English and will be
available to the family throughout their time in Panama.
They will also assist the family with accommodation and
transportation.
SPECIFICS
Married couples, single women, age 25 years or older
[while there is no upper age limit in the law, generally
mid-50's is not eligible for infants]; prior divorces
acceptable, at least one spouse must be a US citizen.
Time frame: Generally, the entire process takes from
16-24 months, from presentation of dossier to final
adoption by the Court authorities, and including the
temporary custody period described above.
Referral time frame:
8-12 MONTHS [will vary depending on age/gender of
child sought]
Referrals: Referrals are made by the DNA after receipt
of completed dossiers.
CALL TODAY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
(850) 430-4005
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