Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage is not an adoption agency. We do not facilitate adoption.

 

ADOPTION PROCESS 

 

NIGERIAN CITIZENS

 

1. The adopting parents write letter of intent to the Director board of Trustees, Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage (COH) Benin City, Nigeria explaining their request to want to adopt from the orphanage.

 

2. COH acknowledge the receipt of the letter letting the adopting parents know that they have received their letter. If a particular child is identified at the orphanage, then this child will be kept for the family to avoid duplication of adoption process and this information will be shared with the COH chapters around the world.

 

3. The adopting parents write official letter of intent to the Director of Women and Social Welfare.

 

4. The adopting parents start Home Study and work with the Ministry officials and their lawyer to complete the process. We do have an attorney that COH work with just in case you are interested in using his legal service/experience.

 

5. All cost related to the adoption will be paid by the adopting parents. We do not have a particular amount or number as each adoption case/process is different. 

 

6. COH expects the adopting family to make periodic visit to the orphanage to spend time with the child.

 

7.   Upon approval of the adoption process, the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare will inform COH about the decision.

 

8. The adopting parents and the Ministry officials come to the orphanage to pick-up the child.

 

9. COH does not charge any money per child adopted from the orphanage but do recommend any donations from the adopting parents.

 

CITIZENS OF OTHER COUNTRIES ADOPTING FROM NIGERIA

 

1. The adopting parents write letter of intent to the Director board of Trustees, Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage (COH) Benin City, Nigeria explaining their request to want to adopt from the orphanage. The letter could be channeled through any of the COH chapters in the world.

 

2. COH orphanage Benin City acknowledges the receipt of the letter letting the adopting parents know that they have received their letter. If a particular child is identified at the orphanage, then this child will be kept for the family to avoid duplication of adoption process and this information will be shared with the COH chapter around the world.

 

3. The adopting parents write official letter of intent to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare and the Magistrate Court Judge, Benin City. This letters will be delivered by COH lawyer/representative.

 

4. The adopting parents complete Home Study. We suggest they work with any adoption agency of their choice.

 

5. The prospective adopter must meet the following;- 

a.  Show evidence of residency in Nigeria for at least 6months. 

b. Must be married (man and woman). 

c. Must be a citizen of the country where adoptee would be resident. 

d. Must show proof of HOME OFFICE assessment. 

e. Must provide tax clearance for 3yrs preceding the application. 

f. Birth certificates of man and wife. 

g. Marriage certificate of man and wife. 

h. 5 passport photographs of man and wife. 

i. Photocopy of International Passport of man and wife with their signatures at the back of each passport. 

j. Provide utility bills (water/ gas/ electricity). 

k. Medical certificate. 

l. Bank statements for 6 months preceding application. 

m. To whom it may Concern identification from place of work. 

n. Legalization at the Embassy in Nigeria thru the Adoption unit of Ministry of sports and youth development. 

o. Payment to Ministry N75, 000.00 ($500) and probably other sundry expenses. 

p. Legal fees (as would be agreed). 

q. Application to court of adoption. 

 

6. The adopting parents can choose to facilitate the adoption process on their own or work with adoption agency (if they can afford it). However, we suggest thy (adopting parents and/or agency) work with COH lawyer in Benin City, Nigeria to complete the process.

 

7. The cost of International adoption is not a fixed amount because every adoption is different. Contact COH for suggestions and average pricing.

 

8. The adoption process could take up 24 months. From past experiences we have some adoption process completed within 16 months. 

 

9. We suggest that the adopting family makes about 3 visits to Nigeria to spend time with the child at the orphanage as well as attend court proceedings. The number of days/weeks of stay during visits depends on several factors. It could be 10 – 21 days depending on the family availability.

 

10. Upon approval of the adoption process by the court, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare will inform COH about the decision. A copy of the court order will be provided to COH lawyer.

 

11. With the court order, the adopting parents will file document for International Passport or travel documents with the NAPTIP. The government agency in charge of trafficking of persons. They will review all the adoption papers and they issue a letter of clearance for the child to have International passport.

 

12. With the court order, the adopting parents comes back home (their country) to file for visa for their child (if they have not already done so). 

 

13. Upon visa approval for the child, the adopting parents then come back to the orphanage to pick up their child and bring him/her home.

 

14. There are some cultural understanding that adopting parents need to be familiar with otherwise it could be viewed as frustrating. Please learn to respect the culture of the land even if you disagree with some of them. It will make the adoption process hitch free.

 

15. COH does not charge any money per child adopted from the orphanage but do recommend any donations from the adopting parents.

 

16. The visa process will be completed by the adopting parents. COH has nothing to do with this process.