What is adoption?

About adoption in El Salvador

Adoption is an act filled with love, solidarity, and reciprocity, as it has the power to change the destiny of a child or adolescent, as well as that of a parent or family who welcomes them with open arms. It is a process in which dreams and hopes intertwine, creating a unique family bond that transcends blood ties and is built upon the genuine desire to provide a safe and nurturing home for all.

In El Salvador, adoption is regulated by the Special Adoption Law, which establishes the procedures and requirements that must be met to carry out this legal process. The following are some general aspects of adoption in El Salvador:

  • 1. Qualifying for adoption: Qualifying for adoption is the process in which the suitability of the applicants to become adoptive parents is evaluated. The main objective of the qualification is to ensure that the individuals wishing to adopt can provide a loving, stable, and secure environment for the child or adolescent subject to adoption.
  • 2. Consent of the biological parents: To proceed with an adoption, the consent or assent of the biological parents of the child or adolescent is required. This consent must be given freely, personally, and without undue benefits. Payment or any form of benefit to obtain consent is prohibited. The Adoption Office is the only legal entity authorized to receive and process this consent.
  • 3. Psychosocial assessments: Adoption applicants must undergo psychosocial assessments that evaluate their suitability to be adoptive parents. These assessments analyze emotional, familial, and socioeconomic aspects, with the goal of ensuring the well-being of the child or adolescent in the new family environment.
  • 4. Initiation of the process: Once a child or adolescent has been declared adoptable (after a rigorous process conducted by the Attorney General's Office), the search for a family that meets the appropriate profile for the child or adolescent begins. This ensures their comprehensive development within the adopting family.
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General requirements for the adoption process

  • To be legally capable
  • To be at least 25 years old
  • To have family, moral, psychological, social, economic, and health conditions that demonstrate aptitude and willingness to assume the exercise of parental authority
  • Not to have been deprived of or suspended from exercising parental authority
    Not to be undergoing administrative or judicial processes against children or adolescents, as well as processes related to domestic violence and gender-based violence, or to have been convicted of crimes against them
  • Not to have been convicted of crimes against sexual freedom
  • Not to have a criminal record for serious offenses.
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