Applying for Adoptions
It is not necessary for you to own your own home in order to adopt. However, you must have sufficient space to comfortably accommodate a child joining the family.
Contact the Adoption Co-coordinator, Department of Children and Family Services to arrange for an initial interview. This will give you an opportunity to ask questions and provide information about yourself and your reasons for wanting to adopt. The adoption process will be explained and if everything is in order, you will be given the application packet to take away and complete.
When all of the required documents are completed, you should contact the adoption co-coordinator and arrange for a second interview. If everything is in place, the co-coordinator files your application with the Adoption Board. There is a fee of CI$75.00 for processing an application for adoption within the Cayman Islands.
Be prepared to wait. Adopting a child always requires a waiting period. The Home Study is carried out over a three-month period. It should take approximately five months from the time you make your application until your case is presented to the Board. The second half of the process will take another six to seven months. If however, you are adopting a child from overseas, the complete process could take approximately two years.
When the court supervision report is completed, your application for an Adoption Order will be prepared and your case filed with the Grand Court. A date will be issued for the hearing and summonses will be served on you and all other interested parties to attend court on that date. Apart from the prospective adopters and the child to be adopted, the child’s birth parents (if known) or previous guardian, are required to attend.