Democratic Republic Of Congo

MLJ Adoptions, Inc. was the first agency in the United States to open an adoption program in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We now have over 50 children home within our first two years working with DRC, including children who were placed with families as young as five months old.

Who Can Adopt from Congo?

• Married Couples 
• Singles can adopt children of the same sex
• Adoptive parents have to be at least fifteen (15) years older than the child
• Parents may not already have more than two children when they adopt. * However, exceptions are often made by Congolese officials for waiting children or if an adoption is otherwise deemed in the best interests of the child.

Children Available for Adoption

Children range in ages from infancy to teens. Both boys and girls are available Children are of African decent Special needs children available More than one child can be adopted at a time, both siblings and non-siblings All adoptions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are completed through a collaborative effort with a Congolese attorney, our foreign staff and the Congolese government officials of the social service offices handling international adoptions and orphan care in DRC. Our foreign staff ensures all children available for adoption are classified as available (all biological parental rights have been terminated) and no family members are available to care for or adopt the child. All children are screened for HIV upon referral.

Due to the orphan crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo there are many waiting children. Currently referral times are 1-4 months. A DRC adoption application must be completed. Your dossier will be submitted to Congolese authorities for translation and adoption approval.

Upon acceptance of a referral, the child is placed in a foster home for interim care during the adoption process.  Adoptive parents provide payment for foster care services, clothing, food, toys and medical treatment if necessary.  Also, upon placement with a foster family medical testing and medical care if needed are provided for the child.

Current time frame is expected to be 11-14 months to complete an adoption, for special needs adoptions please anticipate an additional four to six months.

To learn more about Congo please request information.

Country information is to be considered general information and subject to change. The information is based upon state, federal, foreign, and international law, as well as our own business policies.