South Africa Adoption

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Many children in South Africa are now waiting for a permanent, loving family.

In South Africa, children waiting for families are typically between 2-8 years old at the time they join their adoptive families and have minor to major developmental, physical or emotional special needs. Holt is one of three U.S. adoption agencies approved to unite children from South Africa with eligible families in the U.S. Alongside our partner Wandisa — a well-respected and child-centered organization local to South Africa — we will work to ensure you feel informed and prepared every step of the way.

Did you know Holt does relative adoptions from South Africa?

Children in South Africa Who Need Families

Children have minor to major developmental, physical or emotional special needs.
Most children are between the ages of 2-8 years old at the time of placement.
Older children (5+) who may or may not have special needs other than age are also waiting to be matched with families.
Children may have been born prematurely, have a history of abuse or neglect, or be malnourished.
The most common needs among children in South Africa include HIV, fetal alcohol exposure and needs related to the trauma and loss they’ve experienced. Children with more involved special needs are also waiting for families through Holt’s waiting child photolisting. Learn more about Disabilities & Medical Conditions in Special Needs Adoption.

Meet the children waiting for a family

To preserve children’s confidentiality, you will be asked to log in or sign up before you access the waiting child photolisting.

Waiting Child Photolisting

Eligibility Requirements & Fees

Eligibility Requirements to Adopt from South Africa

Parent’s Age

Applicants should be couples or singles between the ages of 25-49 years old.
There should be no more than a 45-year age difference between the parent and child.

Length of Marriage

If married or in a committed life partnership, couples must be together for a minimum of one year and be assessed to have a stable relationship.

Divorce

If there is a history of divorce, the current marriage must be at least two years old.

Children in Family

If you have five or more children living in your home, please check with Holt before applying.

Single Applicant

Single female and male individuals are eligible.

Travel

Each prospective parent is required to travel to South Africa to meet and transition the child into their care.
Each prospective parent is then required to appear in court for the adoption application and will be required to sign the child’s South African passport application.
Currently, the required stay in-country for prospective parents is approximately 10-12 weeks.
For couples, it is possible that one parent may return home after applying for the child’s South African passport at Home Affairs, which occurs approximately eight weeks after arrival in South Africa.
One parent may return home only if excused from the consulate visa interview and the other parent remains in-country with the child.
At least one parent should expect to stay in South Africa for approximately 10-12 weeks.

How Long It Takes

From the time an applicant submits a dossier to the South African Central Authority, it’s estimated to take approximately 1-3 years to complete their adoption.
The timeline can vary based on a family’s openness to age and special needs.
When applying to adopt a waiting child, an applicant may wait a shorter amount of time to receive an official referral, and the time from application to placement may also be shorter.

Waiting Child Program

Many children who are older or have more involved special needs are waiting for adoptive families.
Applicants may be matched with a waiting child once they have an approved homestudy.
Please contact Holt’s South Africa team if you have any questions.

Additional Information

Applicants with a past or current diagnosis of a life-threatening or communicable disease, or other condition that impairs their ability to parent and/or affects the quality of life of a child, are ineligible to adopt.
All prior criminal activity must be disclosed, including any arrests, even if it did not result in conviction or the conviction was expunged.
Applicants will be assessed for eligibility approval by Holt staff, in conjunction with our overseas partner, on a case-by-case basis.
At least one applicant must be a United States citizen.

Fees for South Africa Adoption

We are open and transparent about our fees and want you to be aware of all potential costs involved in an adoption, including third-party costs and travel.

Holt is a Christian, private, nonprofit, licensed and accredited child welfare and family service organization. Our adoption work is entirely financed through adoption fees and donations. It is not government subsidized. We believe that children are the highest priority, and we want as many children as possible to have families. To that end, we strive to keep our fees within a reasonable range. All fees are subject to change and are charged at the rate that is current at time of billing. Holt may increase fees if adoption expenses in the foreign country increase substantially after time of application. Families will be notified in writing of any fee increase. Holt International accepts the following for adoption fees: check, cashier’s check or money order. If you would like to pay by credit card, there will be a 3% convenience fee added to your total. Fees due upon invoice.

download south africa fees pdf

Financial Assistance for Adoption

Holt believes finances should not stop a child from having a loving family. Although many resources exist to help adoptive families offset the cost of adoption, it’s not always clear where to start looking or what opportunities are best suited for your family. To help you consider all your options, Holt provides an outline of financial assistance, as well as a list of resources categorized by type.

Financing Your Adoption

couple sitting at home viewing virtual adoption financing webinar on their laptop

Need help funding your adoption?

Families adopting through Holt receive free, professional guidance and support from a one-on-one finance coach throughout their adoption process. Even if you’re just considering adoption, email us to set up your first consultation today!

email [email protected]

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South Africa Adoption FAQs

What does “special needs” mean?

This is an often misunderstood term in adoption because it doesn’t necessarily indicate that a child has physical or developmental disabilities. Many children with special needs are either older than 5, part of a sibling group, or have moderate physical, developmental or emotional health needs. Most South African children who are waiting for adoptive families have experienced some degree of trauma, and families will need to be prepared to parent a child with complex needs.

How long does it take to adopt from South Africa?

We estimate the time frame for a South African adoption to be 1-3 years, from the time your dossier is registered in South Africa until a child joins your family. Time frames vary depending on an applicant’s level of openness to special needs and age of the child. Families who are open to waiting children on the photolisting may have a shorter adoption process.

See how the process of international adoption works

What are the travel requirements?

Vietnam children in orphanage waiting to be adopted

Help Protect International Adoption for Children

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Start Your Journey in Adoption

Whether you are considering adoption or are ready to apply to adopt, we have many free ways for you to explore our programs or get started.

Request Free Adoption Information

Click below to complete our inquiry form or email us at [email protected] to connect with one of our adoption specialists.

Adoption Info Meetings

Check out our free, virtual adoption information meetings open to families in all 50 states!

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Apply Online

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Hear What Families Have to Say About Adopting Through Holt

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Inquire About South Africa Adoption

Holt is ready to answer your questions! It only takes a few minutes to submit your inquiry. Our adoption specialists will be in touch with you within one business day.

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Holt International is a Hague-accredited agency with adoption programs in these locations: