Nigeria – All States

nigeriaFlagA Family in Bloom Adoption has significant experience acting as Primary Provider for adoptions from the following Nigerian States for dual citizen Nigerian-Americans: Abia, Abuja, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebinyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, and Rivers. Dependent on the Nigerian state involved, at least one adoptive parent and sometimes both adoptive parents need to be dual Nigerian-American citizens. Please see the separate Nigeria – Lagos Program for more information. Lagos has different regulations for their adoption process then most of the other Nigerian states.

As is the case with all international adoptions to the US, at least one of the adoptive parents must have American citizenship. If married, the other parent must either have American citizenship or US permanent residency card. US Immigration will consider other kinds of permanent status visas on a case-by-case basis for a spouse married to an American citizen. Nigerians adopting from their native country can adopt family members or children legally available for adoption from orphanages through the Nigerian State Adoption Authority (Ministry of Social Welfare or equivalent). In order for a child to receive a US Immigrant visa, they must meet orphan status under US law. The US Consulate can conduct their own full field investigations in order to verify the authenticity of the information provided about the child.

Young Nigerian DrummerOur agency evaluates carefully each potential adoption case from Nigeria on its own merits. A Family in Bloom Adoption, which is based in Colorado, partners with different agencies throughout the United States who will conduct the necessary home study and post-placement work for the adoptive family.

A Family in Bloom Adoption’s Primary Provider fee for the International Adoption Administration work is $6000 for the adoption of one child, $7000 for the adoption of a second sibling, and $8000 for the adoption simultaneously of two non-biologically related children. Our agency offers optional services of different types for additional minor fees to support families’ adoption process.

The information about the requirements for Nigerian adoption below is transcribed directly from the U.S. Department of State’s Intercountry Adoption Page for Nigeria.

Steps for the Adoption

Our agency frequently receives questions about the proper steps and sequence of events for a family’s adoption from Nigeria.

  1. Need a US Hague Accredited or Approved Primary Provider- A Family in Bloom Adoption!
  2. Complete application documents for new adoption or any operating waitlist.
  3. A prospective adoptive family that is accepted, will be notified when their case is activated or may be requested to turn in additional case documents.
  4. Begin home study in your state of residence with A Family in Bloom Adoption partner agency.
  5. Pay any remaining fees and turn in all documents to A Family in Bloom Adoption. Due, at the latest; when the home study is completed.
  6. I-600A Petition packet submitted to US Immigration with completed home study.
  7. A Family in Bloom Adoption will connect you with one of agency’s foreign provider Nigerian attorneys to oversee adoption/child documents.
  8. I-600 Petition packet submitted to US Immigration for finalized adoptions when paperwork compilation is completed abroad.
  9. US Immigration review of I-600 Petition paperwork. Currently, US Immigration forwards case materials to the US Consulate in Lagos for the I-604 investigation before making a decision. This will be either a Notice of Approval, Request for (more) Evidence and in some cases may involve a Notice of Intent to Deny, based on the US Consular staff’s findings.
  10. Exit Interview is set up with the US Consulate in Lagos with I-600 Notice of Approval.
  11. Come home with your child or children!
  12. Post adoption reports at 1 month and 6 months are completed with the adoption agency in one’s US state of residence.
If you want to go quickly, go alone,
If you want to go far, go together.
African proverb

Who Can Adopt

Black Crowned CranesIn addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet the following requirements in order to adopt a child from Nigeria:

  • Minimum Residency: There is no specific minimum residence requirement to be eligible to adopt in Nigeria, however, prospective adoptive parents maybe required to stay in Nigeria for a minimum of a few months to two years to bond with the child before petitioning a court to adopt. Each state determines the length of time for the required bonding period.
  • Age of Adopting Parents: In Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers, prospective adoptive parents must be at least 25 years of age and 21 years older than the child. For married couples, at least one parent must meet the age requirements.
  • Marriage: Both single individuals and married couples may adopt. Note that a single person will not be allowed to adopt a child of the opposite sex except in extraordinary circumstances. In most states, married couples must adopt jointly. If married, both members of the couple must be Nigerian citizens (with the exception of Lagos and Ogun states). In a case where only one member of a married couple adopts the child, only the adoptive parent’s name should be listed on the Nigerian birth certificate and the other parent’s name should be left blank. Same-sex married couples are explicitly not allowed to adopt children in Nigeria.
  • Minimum Income: Nigeria does not have any income requirements for intercountry adoptions.

Please contact us to learn more about our international adoption services.