Congo Program (DRC)

Democratic Republic of the Congo - The Country

DRC is a large country located in central Africa. The climate is tropical with dry and wet seasons. The population of this country is around 68 million. The majority of the population is of the African ethnic group Bantu. 50% of the population is Catholic. The official language is French. The country has a turbulent history which they are still trying to overcome.

Why Choose to Adopt From DRC?

Children receive loving care in a private orphanage. This is a new country to international adoption. There are many children in need of families and the process is relatively short. A wait for referral can be between 1-6 months, depending on type of child and children available, with the process taking approximately 8 to 14 months total. One trip of 5-7 days to bring your child home occurs after the adoption process is complete.

Who is Eligible to Adopt from DRC?

Both married couples and singles can adopt from DRC. Couples must be married at least 5 years. Single parents can adopt a child of the same gender. There are no age requirements other than there must be 15 years age difference between adoptive parents and child. There may be no more than two other children  in your home currently.

Children Available

The children most often available are toddlers and older although infants may be as well. Some sibling groups and adopting unrelated children is possible. Boys are most available for adoption. Children are screened to be HIV negative and have been tested for other illnesses common to Africa. Children are in private orphanages.

To Begin the Process

Please remember this is a Pilot Program and the process can change.

1.    Apply to Hands Across The Water for services.

2.    Complete your Home Study with Hands Across The Water or an appropriate agency in your state. Please contact HATW for assistance if you live outside of Michigan.

3.   File your I-600A with the USCIS.

4.   Prepare your dossier for DRC. HATW can do this for you or you can take this on yourself with our assistance.

5.     Hands Across The Water will forward your completed dossier to our facilatator in DRC.

6.     Once dossier is approved, you will receive a referral which can take approximately 1-6 months depending on children available.

7.     After a referral is received and accepted, the adoption process begins. You will need to prepare to travel within 6-8 months to bring your child home. You will stay in Kinshasa, DRC about 5-7 days. This is a very valuable time to learn about the country, people and culture of your child's birth

Post-Adoption Supervision

Your child’s adoption is finalized in DRC, but three post adoption reports and photos of your child over a period of time are required. The number of reports and frequency may change, but currently they are required at 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months.