Ethiopia: Adoption Requirements
Below you will find a basic list of the requirements for adoption in Ethiopia. Some requirements are conditional. Please contact us if you do not meet some of the requirements to see if you may still be eligible.
Age
Ethiopia requires that each applicant be at least 25 years old at the time your dossier is registered with MOWA. Couples may adopt up until age 55. Ethiopia will not refer an infant child for placement with families older than 50.
Finances
Ethiopia does not have specific income or net worth restrictions. In general, the family needs to show financial stability and the ability to support the addition of a child to the home.
Children
Ethiopia does not place restrictions on how many children an adoptive family may have in the home. However there is a restriction that unrelated children being adopted at the same time must be 2 years apart in age. This also applies to children you may already have in the home, for example, if you have a child already in your home that is 1 year old then you can adopt a child from Ethiopia that is 3 years old or older, but you would not be allowed to adopt a child less than a year old until the child already in your home is 2 years old. Primarily infants are available. Some toddler and sibling groups are available. Children may be placed for adoption under Ethiopian law up to 16 years of age.
Marital Status
Married couples and single women may adopt in Ethiopia. A couple must be married for a minimum of two years and one of them be at least 25 years old. Previous divorces are acceptable.
Criminal History
Criminal history cases may be reviewed by MOWA on a case by case basis. In general, a parent would not be approved for adoption if there is a history of child abuse, spousal abuse, or a pending criminal investigation.
Education
Ethiopia does not have an education requirement for adoptive parents.
Faith
In accordance with Small World’s mission statement, our Ethiopia program is open to Christian families only.
