Costa Rica Adoption InformationDecember 29, 2003
Update on IAR
Just some updates about IARs legal/licensing battles.
Tallahassee Democrat: Agency's practices scrutinized
Sun Sentinel: State subpoenas records from adoption agency
Miami Herald: State goes after records of adoptions
Sun Sentinel: Adoption inquiry alarms Costa Rica
{One thing that I pointed out BEFORE the Guatemalan Baby fiasco is mentioned in the article: "Even if IAR is correct in its assertion that private attorneys could have arranged the adoption of the Guatemalan children in Costa Rica, the attorneys likely would have encountered problems in obtaining immigration visas for the children from U.S. authorities in Costa Rica"}
Sun Sentinel: Springs adoption agency leased baby-raid house in Costa Rica
Editorial (Sun Sentinel): Foreign Process Needs Oversight
{I find this editorial a bit off. First off, PANI is still required to give its opinion on all direct adoptions. There were 4 adoptions in Costa Rica in 2002....8 in 2001 with the loophole. US Government Oversight *IS* there....but with so few adoptions what exactly is expected here? Adoptions didn't *slip through the cracks* as so many would like to think. If these loopholes HAD been there, we would have seen quite a few more adoptions prior to 2002. If IAR had not been questioned by PANI officials, I can guarantee you that the US Embassy would have red-flagged these adoptions and the children would have been denied Visas.}
October 03, 2003
Followup
I recently heard from the US Embassy that there was new legislation to ban direct adoptions.
Here is a followup to the Guatemalan children story which also briefly discusses the historical aspect and the new law being discussed.
September 24, 2003
Correction & Atmosphere in CR deteriates
I received clarification from my lawyer in Costa Rica that the overturned law CANNOT be appealed by PANI because the ruling came from the Constitutional Court and not the Legislative Assembly (I found the information through the Legislative Assemby, but they were not responsible for the ruling).
Unfortunately, the atmosphere is *not very good* according to my TICO sources. Before reading these articles (published in Costa Rican newspapers and Guatemalan newspapers), I will remind you that we do not know how much was sensationalism NOR the details of the case.
I'll leave it at that.
July 28, 2003
PANI will appeal
According to the US Embassy in Costa Rica, PANI is planning on appealing the decision to overturn the August 2002 law prohibiting direct adoptions from Foreign nationals. If their appeal is upheld, direct adoptions will be banned again and all adoptions will be processed and assigned THROUGH PANI.
PANI Adoptions: If you are interested in a PANI adoption (a public adoption from an orphanage or children's home), then you should be open to sibling groups of 2 or more children mostly over the age of 4. A total of 4 Visas were issued to American citizens last year. The breakdown of PANI adoptions vs. direct adoptions from US citizens that were in process before the change in the law is unknown. However, the Embassy reports that there has been a backlog of public adoption cases.
Direct Adoptions (Private Adoptions): These adoptions are through a private lawyer where the birthmother or birthfather relinquishes rights to the child. These adoptions are processed through the family court (the judge makes the decision). Even in these cases, PANI is required to make a recommendation on ALL adoptions. Since they are opposed to direct adoptions, adoptive parents/agencies should be prepared for stalled processes and negative recommendations. If a recommendation is submitted, the family court does NOT have to heed the recommendation.
US Citizens that are also residents of Costa Rica are not considered foreign adoptions and therefore, are processed under different guidelines.
I post all the information that I receive on this site. However, I also have a listserve for those that are interested. CLICK HERE TO JOIN
July 22, 2003
A Perspective
There seems to be some confusion as to some of the information on this site and I am sure, whether I have any basis for my reservations on Costa Rica adoptions. I do want to make some points, so you know MY perspective. I am not spreading rumors, only posting the FACTS of the law, the HISTORY of adoptions and summarizing WHY I am skeptical (at this point) of Costa Rican programs.
July 19, 2003
Introduction
At this time, I am posting information as I aquire it about adopting in Costa Rica. The intent of publishing this information is to MAKE SURE that parents understand what they are getting into with a Costa Rica adoption. I do NOT work for an agency. One way to understand the risks is to understand the HISTORY of the law and see the facts for themselves. Don't get me wrong...I will be the first to celebrate if Costa Rica is open to foreigners adoption. But at this time, there is no way of knowing how smooth the process will be (just look at the Visa stats in the August 2002 - August 2003 Guidelines provided by the Embassy in Costa Rica).