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	GOVERNMENT OFFICE RESPONSIBLE Ministry of Health,Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children

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Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for a child  and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities, along with afiliation, from the biological parent or parents. Registration of adoptions is governed by Adoption Ordinance (CAP 335), and the adoption rules of court. The government body which regulates adoption in Tanzania is the Department of Social Welfare.

Requirements:

• Adoptive parents must be resident in Tanzania.
• One of the adoptive parents, if married must be 25 years old and above.
• Parents should be at least 21 years older than the child.
• Single male parents may not adopt a female child except in special circumstances.
• Identify eligible child/children for adoption.

Procedures:

• Contact your District Social Welfare Officer.
• Fill the application form.  
• You must have contact details of at least three referees who have known you
  for at least three years and one family member.
• Home study process, which will consist of at least 4 interviews with the family
  including visiting the family’s home.
• Send the application to the Commissioner for Social Welfare for approval.
• Should be identified by District Social Welfare Officer
• Districts Social Welfare Officer will liaise with the police department in order to
  confirm whether the child has any living relatives and family consents,
• DSWO will place the identified child with the prospective adoptive parents for a
  foster care period of not less than three months.
• Commence legal process to adopt and court order, contact  experienced advocate (lawyer)
• Log in petition to legally adopt your child and obtain a court order from the high court 
• Concert your advocate to obtain Adoption certificate for your adopted child.