Why Adopt from Peru?
MLJ Adoptions’ Peru program is now closed.
Beyond Peru’s beautiful coastlines and ancient ruins is rural poverty and a lack of economic opportunities, which creates the need for international adoption.
Even though the poverty rate in Peru has dropped in the last decade, many families, especially those who live in rural areas lack access to basic necessities and economic opportunities. Desperate family circumstances also leads to child labor and therefore an incomplete education. Many Peruvian families cannot afford to feed and clothe their children, trusting that an orphanage can provide a better life for them. As such, the number of abandoned children has reached an all-time high. Additionally, as a predominately Catholic country, there is a strong stigma against unwed mothers, contributing to the number of abandoned children.
Peru’s adoption program is unique in regards to its in-country stay: once families receive a referral, they travel to Peru for an 5-8 week socialization trip, living and bonding with their referred child. Both parents will need to be in Peru. Families will work closely with our team who assists our families with their needs while in-country.
We know that not all families can spend an extended period of time in another country, but families who choose to adopt from Peru appreciate the chance to form a strong bond with their child in a relaxed, distraction-free setting, especially since most children are older when they’re matched with families. By the time the family travels home, they will have spent several weeks getting to know their child in a location where the child is already comfortable, and will have a new, deeper relationship with their child’s home country.
Children in Need of Families
- Ages: six years old and older.
- Children in sibling groups of all ages.
- Children may have additional known medical needs depending on what the family is open to.
- Children reside in orphanages or foster care, and generally receive proper nutrition and medical care.
- Children are usually placed for adoption due to extreme poverty.
Adoptive Parents
- Married couples may adopt from Peru; there is no known marriage length requirement. Couples who have co-habitated for at least 2 years are eligible to adopt from Peru.
- Single women may adopt from Peru.
- Adoptive parents must be between 25 and 52 years old.
Adoption Timeline
- Home Study and Dossier Preparation: approximately six months.
- Approximate Wait Time: 12-24 months once a family’s dossier arrives in Peru.
- Travel: one trip to Peru of approximately 5-8 weeks is required. If prospective adoptive parents are married, both must appear in court to complete the adoption process.
- Once the family is presented with a referral of a child, they travel to Peru and remain in country for an adaptation period, and then while the adoption is completed.
- Peru is a Hague Convention Country
To learn more about how to adopt from Peru, contact us.
Learn more about Peru at the CIA World Factbook.
Photo Credit: SIM USA
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.