Working in conjunction with state agencies, Friends of FANA, Minnesota guides families through the complete adoption process, beginning with the decision to proceed with an international adoption, through the trip to Colombia.  Friends of FANA, Minnesota works with couples from Minnesota and western Wisconsin.  Over 400 children from FANA have been placed with loving Friends of FANA, Minnesota families since its inception in 1973.

 FANA, under direction of the Colombian government, follows established general requirements for adoption. FANA requires couples to be in a stable marriage with one or no children, have infertility issues and possess no criminal record.  Adoption of a healthy infant is available only to couples who are both under 38 years of age.  Couples who meet these criteria and are interested in more information about completing an adoption through FANA should contact Marcia Abel, the Friends of FANA, Minnesota Adoption Coordinator at marcia_abel@hotmail.com or via voice mailbox at 612-706-3088

 A homestudy is required to be completed by an adoption agency which is recognized/certified by the Colombian government and accepted by FANA.  Two adoption agencies that meet these criteria and serve Minnesota and western Wisconsin are Crossroads Adoption Services  and Children’s Home Society of Minnesota.   Once a favorable homestudy has been completed, it is sent along with an application to FANA, for review/acceptance into their adoption program.

After acceptance by FANA, Friends of FANA, Minnesota will assign a “buddy couple” to each new couple.  This buddy couple is one of our families who have already completed the adoption process through FANA.  They will help the new couple by answering any questions that they may have and assist the couple through the process.  

After the couple has received word of their new baby, they will travel to Bogota, Colombia.  Legal procedures will begin after the adoptive parents have met and received their child. Both parents are required to travel to Colombia to initiate the adoption (approximately a ten day stay). One spouse may then return home. The other parent will stay in Colombia until the adoption is finalized, approximately 3-5 additional weeks, depending on the court.  Families will be assigned a “driver” who is familiar with the legal process and will transport them to any required legal appointments.

While in Colombia, families are encouraged to stay in a residence specifically set up for adoptive families.   Several adoptive families, typically from the U.S. and Europe, stay together.  Each family has a private room and shares common dining and living areas.

The total cost to complete an adoption through FANA is approximately $20,000.  Actual costs will vary depending upon homestudy agency fees, length of in-country stay, etc...