For many people, the adoption process in Costa Rica can be a bit complex, since it involves several stages that must be carried out in an orderly manner, in order to comply with all the requirements mentioned in our regulations.

The institution in charge of overseeing, initially, the adoption process is the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI). In the first instance, an administrative stage must be carried out exclusively before this institution to determine the suitability of the applicants.

This stage consists of a determination of psychological, social and legal suitability of those requesting the adoption of a child or adolescent. According to the Family Code, there are individual adoptions and joint adoptions. In the first case, it is when the adoption is decreed at the request of both spouses, on the other hand, the individual adoption is when the adopter is only one; in this case, the adoptee must use both surnames of the adopter.

Article 171 of the Family Code indicates that the person who wants to apply for adoption requires:

– Be legally capable;
– Be over 25 years of age, except for spouses who have been married for more than 5 years;
– Possess family, moral, psychological, social, economic and health conditions that evidence aptitude and disposition to assume parental responsibility; and
– Be of good conduct and reputation

People who wish to apply for adoption must first go to PANI for the above mentioned suitability determination, for which they must have the following documents:

– PANI adoption form (completed and duly signed).
– Two passport size photographs of the applicants.
– Birth certificate of the applicants.
– Certificate of marital status of the applicants.
– Current Delinquency Sheet.
– Certificate of economic income.
– Medical opinion of health emitted by a professional of the CCSS or private.
– Social evaluation.
– Copy of the identity cards.

Once PANI carries out the process and it is determined that the applicants are suitable for adoption, a judicial process must be initiated in which a Family Judge will determine the situation of the minor and will decree the adoption, either individual or joint.

It is important to have the right legal advice to carry out this process, because it is full of multiple requirements and formalities that must be strictly complied with, so having the right advice can facilitate and avoid unnecessary delays in the process.

If you require advice in adoption processes or any other Family Law process, ERP Lawyers has a team specialized in the matter, do not hesitate to contact us at info@erplawyers.com !