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ELIGIBILITY & ADOPTION TIMELINES
- Couples that have been legally married for at least 2 years
- longer is preferred. Proof of marriage is required.
- The generally accepted age range is: 25-50 years
- No criminal record or pardons
- The overall health of the couples should be quite good, as there
are certain medical conditions, past and present, and use of therapeutic
drugs that may preclude eligibility for the Albania program. Disclosure
is of utmost importance. Lack of it could result in disqualification.
- At this point, applications from singles are not being considered.
TIMELINES
- Time to Referral/Child Proposal
After your dossier is sent to Albania, you may generally expect
a referral/proposal in 20-24 months. This is a guideline only
and the time may vary subject to availability of children as this
is a smaller program compared to some others.
Parents should, sometimes, be prepared for the times when there
are fewer children available and look at the upper end of the
list, with perhaps some extra time added to it.
- Travel Requirements
If you select the 2-trip process, you will travel to Albania approximately
1-2 months after receipt by the Albanian authorities of formal
acceptance/consent of your referral, and after a court date has
been determined.
The first trip is approximately 11 days in duration, with two
court dates for the two of you to attend during this time. There
is a waiting period for document processing and delivery approximately
20 days following the second court hearing. The adoption is finalized
after the waiting period. Most couples travel
back home during this period. Some have elected to visit family
in countries that are close to Albania. For example. The plane
ride to Rome is 50 minutes.
The second trip is approximately 2 weeks. It is during this time
that the bulk of the paperwork is completed, including Immigration
requirements and finalization of the adoption in Albania. (If
you wish to make one trip, parents may expect to stay 5-6 weeks.)
Note: Both parents must be present for the court hearings during
the first trip. Only 1 parent need be present for the 2nd trip to
bring your son/daughter home, if it is not possible for both to
be present.
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