The national Colombian welfare, Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF) supervises adoptions  throughout the country. 

THREE PROGRAMS: Bogotá, ICBF and Medellín.

The children: Infants and children between six months and eight years, of Spanish, Spanish/Indian or Spanish/Indian/Black descent, become available for adoption through private agencies and the national family welfare (ICBF).

At the private agencies in Bogotá, Medellín, and ICBF locations, about thirty children are sheltered in their  homes, and the infants are cared for in private foster homes. Couples who wish to adopt older sibling groups are needed! The ICBF locates infants and children in areas considered safe for travel.

The process for the private orphanages is similar. It takes two to twelve months to be approved. In Medellín and Bogotá, couples who wish to adopt sibling groups (five to eight years of age) usually receive a referral within two to six months after pre-approval, depending on the age, gender and race requested. The referral time for infants is approximately 24 to 36 months after pre-approval.

The referral time in ICBF is approximately 18 to 24 months, depending on the age, gender, and race requested. Childless couples or those with one child may adopt. They may each have one prior divorce.

In all programs, both spouses must travel to adopt the child. After the adoption, you stay in Bogota for one or two days to obtain the child's US visa.

Qualifications for Bogotá: The marriage requirement is five years. Couples between 25 and 38 are eligible to adopt infants. Couples between 39 and 41 may adopt children 3 to 4 years old, and those between 42 and 44 may adopt children 5 and above. The wait is much shorter for Colombian citizens, since they receive first priority.

Qualifications for Medellín: The marriage requirement is four and a half years. Couples with proven infertility may be approved with only four years of marriage. Couples between 25 and 35 may adopt infants of six months and over. Couples between 36 and 44 may adopt children three to six years old and older, and those between 45 and 50 may adopt children seven and above.

Qualifications for ICBF: Only four years of marriage are required for couples and they must be under 35 to adopt a baby. A statement of infertility is not required. Couples between 25 and 35 may adopt infants of six months and older. Couples between 36 and 44 are eligible to adopt children three to six years and older. Couples between 45 and 50 may adopt children seven years old and above. Single women may adopt children six years and older.

Stay in Bogotá: The stay can be five weeks or more.

Stay in Medellín: Take custody of the child in Medellin for about two to three weeks and complete the adoption. Occasionally, two short trips  may be required.

Stay for ICBF: The stay can be two weeks to two months, depending on the court calendar. One parent may leave after visiting the baby and return for the court hearing.

Airlines: Make your own travel arrangements in cooperation with the international case worker and the Colombian agency. Avianca is an excellent Colombian airline. Other airlines are American, Continental, Aereolineas Argentinas and Ladeco.