Adoption is the process whereby a person assumes full legal responsibility for a child who is not biologically theirs. This involves the transfer of all parental rights and responsibilities. Adoption will be the preferred, long term placement option as it provides the family environment necessary for the optimal growth and development of the child.

Prospective adoptive parents are persons who are interested in providing a family for a child or children. A prospective adoptive parent can be a resident of another country or non-national of Trinidad and Tobago. They can also be a relative or a complete stranger to the child whom they plan to adopt.

There are three major stakeholders involved in the adoption process:

  • The Prospective Adoptive Parent
  • The Adoptee
  • The Birth Parent

There is a thorough screening process which aims to determine the suitability of the prospective adoptive parent to appropriately respond to the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of a child.

The adoption process managed by the Authority may include the following steps depending on the type of adoption being sought:

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact the Adoption Unit at  627-0748 ext. 40021, 40022, 40023, 40024, 40025

  • What is adoption?
    Adoption is the legal transfer of all parental rights and responsibilities for a child from that child’s legal parents (birth parents or adoptive parents) to another person or persons referred to as the adopter or adopters.
  • What types of adoption are there?
    There are two primary types of adoption:
    • Open: An open adoption is a form of adoption in which the biological parents and the adoptive parents know each other or the child knows the adoptive parent, it involves the adoption of an identified child.
    • Closed: A closed adoption is a form of adoption where the biological and the adoptive family do not know each other and neither has any identifying information about the other, there is no contact. In a closed adoption, the child matched with a prospective adopter based on their requested child profile
  • How can you become an adoptive parent?
    You can call the Adoption Unit at 627-0748 ext 40021, 40022, or 40023 or email (adoption@ttchildren.org) and you will receive information on our application process.
  • Do adoptive parents have a choice about the child/children that they adopt?
    Yes, they do. Prospective Adoptive Parents will have the opportunity to describe the child that they would like to be a part of their family. On the application form, there is a section that requires the Applicant to indicate the child preference.
  • What kind of support will adoptive parents receive from the Children’s Authority?
    The Children’s Authority will aim to provide support on a case by case basis to adoptive parents, families and adopted children by referrals to external agencies.

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