The Houston Family Law Blog


The Legal Hurdles With Haiti Adoption

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After last month's tragic earthquake in Haiti, many Houston couples are looking to adopt children from Haiti that have been orphaned after losing their parents in the devastation of the quake. Yet many people in Houston may not realize that adoption can be a long and tedious process, especially for those looking to adopt from foreign countries.

According to Texas Family Code Sec.162.009, courts cannot even grant an adoption in the state of Texas until the child has resided with the petitioner for at least six months, though courts could grant an exception if it is in the best interest of the child. All adoptions must ultimately be approved by a court order, where there are generally strict procedural requirements for international adoptions. Those who need legal help with the adoption process, should contact a Houston adoption attorney.

KIAH News reports that Haiti has typically been one of the most difficult countries to adopt from, but there are already as many as 900 families involved in the Haitian adoption process this year. The United States averages 226 adoptions from Haiti each year.

If and when Haitian children arrive in the Houston area, the most likely first step will be foster care. Colleen Katowski with Catholic Charities adoption services told KIAH just how difficult the international adoption process really could be.

"If every parent had to go through adoption they'd realize how difficult it is to become a parent. They have to have home study, criminal check, medical history, have to have a home study that talks to them about their life," Katowski said.

In the meantime, KIAH reminds Houston residents that there are plenty of adoption services available in the city of Houston, where there are 8,000 foster children in this country waiting to be adopted.

Related Resources:

  • Guide to Adopting a Child (FindLaw)
  • Foreign Adoption (FindLaw)
  • Houston adoption attorney directory (FindLaw)

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