Adoption Process in Botswana

Marriage: A married couple, widower, widow, unmarried, separated, or divorced person may adopt a child in Botswana. Minimum Income: While there are no set income requirements, social workers will verify that prospective parents have adequate financial resources to care for a child.

Adoption to take by choice into a relationship. especially: to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one’s own child. : to take up and practice or use. adopted a moderate tone.

These individuals and families are interested in adopting children in Botswana. must submit a written application to the Civil Registry at the Magistrate’s court.

Who is eligible?

Per the Adoption of Children’s Act (Cap 28:01):

  • A prospective parent must be at least twenty-five (25) years of age in order to proceed with the adoption of a child.  In addition
  • A husband and his wife jointly.
  • A widower or widow or unmarried or divorced person.
  • A married person who is separated from his or her spouse by judicial decree.
  • A child of sixteen (16) years of age can only be adopted by parents who are at least twenty-five (25) years older than that child.
  • A married person whose spouse, at the time of the adoption, has been suffering from mental illness for a continuous period of more than seven years immediately preceding that time.
  • A person cannot adopt a child twenty-five (25) years younger than their own selves unless the child is of the same sex as the adoptive parent.
  • As an exception to the above rules:
  • A widow or widower or unmarried or divorced person may adopt his/her biological child who was previously adopted by any person under the Act, whether or not he or she is under the age of twenty-five (25) years or is less than twenty-five (25) years older than the child.
  • A married couple may adopt a biological child of one of them even though they are under the age of twenty-five (25) years and the child is sixteen (16) years or more. The husband, however, must be at least fifteen (15) years older than the child of his wife and the wife must at be at least ten (10) years older than the child of the husband.

How do I get this service?

  • Adoption of a child is ordered by any magistrate court in the district in which the adopted child resides on the application of the adoptive parent(s). 
  • The application must be accompanied by a report from a social welfare officer which gives background information on all the affected parents and further confirms that the adoptive parents are qualified to adopt the child.  This investigation and report by a social welfare officer can be requested at the Civil Registry at the Magistrate’s Court.
  • At the Magistrate’s Court, applicants can submit their request papers and attach the required documentation (described below).

What supporting documents are required?

Potential parents must submit the following documentation at the Magistrate’s court:

  • Certified copy of their National Identity Card (Omang),
  • Certified copy of the birth certificate for the child being adopted,
  • If the adoptive parents are married, a certified copy of the marriage certificate,
  • Proof of income (e.g. current pay slip, contract),
  • Assessment by a social welfare worker of the parents’ capabilities and home environment.

How long will this service take?

The adoption process can vary based on the time taken to complete applications and a social welfare officer visit.

How much does it cost?

A court fee of BWP 60.00 applies to processing adoption applications, whether successful or not.

Where can I obtain this service?

Ministry of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender Affairs

Block 8, Government Enclave, Khama Crescent

Private Bag 002

Gaborone

Botswana

Where can I get more information on this Service

Ministry of Nationality, Immigration, and Gender Affairs

Block 8, Government Enclave, Khama Crescent

Private Bag 002

Gaborone

Botswana

Tel: (+267)3611115/3611234/3611132

Fax: (+267) 3907426

Email:mnig-pro@.gov.bw

How can I adopt a child in Botswana?

The prospective adoptive parent or parents make an application to the court for adoption. The application must be accompanied by a report from a Social Welfare officer which gives background information on all the affected parents and further indicates whether the adoptive parents are qualified to adopt the child.

What are the steps in the adoption process?

The Adoption Process

  1. Step 1: Inquiry.
  2. Step 2: Information Session.
  3. Step 3: Pre-Service Training.
  4. Step 4: Family Evaluation.
  5. Step 5: Pre-Placement.
  6. Step 6: Placement.
  7. Step 7: Finalization.

How many months does an adoption process take?

Adoption of every child requires them to be declared legally free for adoption through Child Welfare Committee under Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act,2015. The process usually takes at least two months to complete. Therefore, no newborn child can be placed for adoption prior to the completion of the process.

What is the latest age at which you can adopt a child?

In the US there is usually no age cutoff, meaning you can adopt a child as long as you are 21 or over. Typically for private and independent adoptions, the Birth Mother or Birth Parents select the Adoptive Family and some may have an age preference while others will not.