LATVIA

Families are expected to travel three times during the Latvia adoption process.  Both prospective adoptive parents must travel on the first trip.  Only one prospective adoptive parent is required to travel on the second trip.  Both prospective adoptive parents must travel on the third trip, which is when the adoption will be finalized.  Because Latvia is a member of the European Union, the prospective adoptive child can typically travel to the United States with the prospective adoptive family after the first trip on a visitor’s visa.  The child will return to Latvia with the family on the third trip, at which time the adoption will be finalized, and a Hague adoption visa will be issued for the child. The Latvia adoption program is a unique program in terms of it’s procedures, and it provides a unique opportunity for adoptive families.

The Latvia adoption process can appear overwhelming initially. However, it is a step-by-step process, and ABI will guide you. The first step in adopting from Latvia is to have a home study conducted by an agency licensed in your state of residence. If you are located in Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, or Tennessee, ABI is able to facilitate your home study.  Latvia is a part of the Hague Convention; please contact ABI before choosing a Home Study agency and note that ABI may require that the local service provider also be Hague accredited. The second step is to file your Immigration and Naturalization Paperwork: the I-800A. Then, you will work with our staff to prepare your Dossier. The Dossier is a compilation of documents that require various seals at different levels of government. Once your Dossier is ready to submit, your documents will be reviewed and prepared to enter the system.

Reports following a child’s placement for adoption are required to be completed by a licensed adoption agency (typically the same one that conducted the home study) at 1, 12, and 24 months following placement. These are sent by ABI to Latvia. Families who choose to have the child come to the United States prior to adoption finalization (the third trip) must submit to routine monitoring visits as requested by the Latvian government. Six photos are to be included with each report. These monitoring reports are due every 4-5 weeks until adoption finalization (the third trip).

Children in need of families in the Latvia adoption program are typically older children age 9 to 15.  Sibling groups are also available.  To see a complete listing of waiting children, please visit the Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia’s website.