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Adoptions in Latin America are sometimes done through private lawyers who represent the adoptive families and have worked personally with the birthparents. In other cases, and especially in recent years, adoptions are done through the government welfare department, a licensed in-country agency, an orphanage or a birthmother home.
People adopted from Columbia may begin a birthfamily search if they are 18 or older, unless medical information is needed, in which case a search can begin earlier. Searches in Colombia after age 18 are generally done in four stages:
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CHSFS helps the family or young adult by contacting the international agency where the child was adopted to get any new information
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CHSFS works with a family to identify and contract with a specific in-country lawyer
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The lawyer represents the search request through the court system and can provide an estimated cost, probability of success in finding the birthfamily and obtain consent of the birthparent for contact
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A meeting or letter exchange takes place, guided and interpreted by a Colombian social worker and with support available through CHSFS Intermediary Services worker.
Similar search capabilities exist in the other Latin American countries for persons of any age. CHSFS has systems set up in Guatemala, Paraguay and Peru. For other countries such as Honduras, Ecuador, and El Salvador, CHSFS can attempt to contact the orphanage or lawyer who facilitated the adoption.
If you wish to request service, please complete the registration email . You will be sent a registration packet with forms to be filled out and returned, along with the $35 registration fee to Post Adoption Services, CHSFS, 1605 Eustis Street; St. Paul, MN 55108. If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact PAS Intake at 651-255-2437 or email: pas@chsfs.org
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