How Do I Begin?

Request Information:

Thank you for your interest in adopting from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Our Family Adoptions (OFA) organization! Please review the information below to assess if you meet the general requirements and to learn about the general process.  Then contact OFA at
info@ourfamilyadoptions.org

We will answer any initial questions you have concerning the DRC international adoption process, including eligibility, timeline, expectations, and challenges.  We will also describe the OFA process in detail to ensure clear expectations about the services OFA provides. After that, we will continue to be available to counsel you as you go through the decision process. 

General Adoption Requirements:

OFA currently only serves prospective adoptive families within the United States, or US citizens living abroad.  As OFA specializes in adoptions from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), eligibility requirements are based on Congolese adoption law. Adoptive families must therefore meet the eligibility requirements of DRC, as well as federal law imposed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Homeland Security, and any pertinent state adoption law within your state of residence.

Age Requirements:

Per DRC adoption law, prospective parents must be between the ages of 25 to 55 years old. 

Income Requirements:

Household income must be 125% of the 2009 US Poverty Guidelines.  See the chart below.  If a family does not qualify according to this chart they must prove an acceptable level of assets. 

Size of Family Unit          Poverty Guidelines              125 Percent
1                                         $10,830                           $13,538
2                                         $14,570                           $18,213
3                                         $18,310                           $22,888
4                                         $22,050                           $27,563
5                                         $25,790                           $32,238
6                                         $29,530                           $36,913
7                                         $33,270                           $41,588
8                                         $37,010                           $46,263

Marriage Requirements:

Pursuant to DRC adoption law, adopting parents must be married a minimum of five (5) years.  Unmarried couples or single parents may apply, but there is no guarantee that an adoption will be granted in DRC.  OFA will counsel you on the matter.  OFA does not discriminate on the basis of marital status. 

Children in the Home:

Parents with children may adopt. Pursuant to DRC adoption law, however, families with more than two (2) adopted or biological children already in the home may not adopt.  Additionally, adopting families may not adopt more than three (3) children. 

Health of the Adoptive Parents:

DRC requires a medical report from a licensed physician in the United States stipulating that the adopting parents are in good health and mentally capable of taking care of themselves and their child(ren).  DRC will evaluate mental health issues on a case-by-case basis. 

Criminal History:

Neither spouse may have any felonies or multiple misdemeanors stated on their criminal records.