How Long Is Adoption In South Africa

What is Adoption?

Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person’s biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parents to the adoptive parents. 

How Long Is Adoption In South Africa

approximately 1-3 years

How Long It Takes. From the time an applicant submits a dossier to the South African Central Authority, it’s estimated to take approximately 1-3 years to complete their adoption. The timeline can vary based on a family’s openness to age and special needs.

How long does the adoption process take in South Africa?

It can take as little as a few weeks but can sometimes take years, especially if the parents are very specific about race, age, and gender. According to Robyn, many social workers recommend that parents see the process like a pregnancy, meaning that screening and matching will take on average about nine months.

Is it easy to adopt a child in South Africa?

The adoption agency will conduct a screening/ home study to check if you are fit and proper to adopt a child. If the agency is satisfied with the results, they will put you on a Register of Adoptable Children and Adoptive Parents while they help you search for a child who is available for adoption.

What is the process to adopt a child in South Africa?

If you want to adopt a child in South Africa, you must approach a registered adoption agency which will screen you and help you look for a child who is available for adoption. If you are a foreigner living in South Africa and want to adopt a South African child, your application will be regarded as national adoption.