When you’re preparing to grow your family through international adoption, one important requirement you may encounter is the FBI Background Check. This process helps ensure the safety and well-being of children by providing a thorough review of prospective parents’ criminal history. A key part of this background check is the FBI’s FD-258 fingerprint card, a standardized form used to capture your fingerprints accurately. While each country’s adoption requirements may differ, many international adoption programs require this FBI report as a critical element of their process.
What is an International Adoption Process?
It is a legal process that allows prospective parents to adopt a child from another country and become the child’s legal parent(s). The international adoption process can vary greatly depending on the countries involved and their specific laws and requirements.
While the exact steps differ between nations, most adoption processes include:
- Approval of prospective adoptive parents through assessments such as home studies, health evaluations, and legal background checks
- Submission of detailed documentation, including fingerprints and criminal background checks, to prove suitability and eligibility
- Review and approval by relevant authorities in both the adoptive parents’ country and the child’s country of origin
- Legal finalization either through courts or designated agencies
- Possible post-adoption supervision or follow-up to ensure the child’s welfare
One requirement commonly found across many countries’ adoption programs is the FBI Background Check using the FD-258 fingerprint card. This ensures a thorough review of applicants’ criminal history to protect the safety and well-being of the child.
Because each country’s adoption rules and procedures are unique, it’s important to research and comply with the specific requirements for your situation. However, an FBI Background Check is a frequent and critical step in many international adoptions worldwide.
Why is an FBI Criminal Background Check a Crucial Requirement?
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident adopting a child from any country, the FBI Criminal Background Check is a non-negotiable and essential part of your adoption process. This background check is much more than just paperwork; it is a thorough review of your criminal history to ensure you can provide a safe, stable, and loving home for your future child. This criminal history clearance is often mandatory to verify the suitability of prospective parents and ensure the safety of adopted children.
However, not all countries require an FBI Background Check for international adoption, and requirements may vary significantly. Countries that typically require an apostilled FBI Background Check (with certified authenticity for use abroad) include, but are not limited to:
- United States
- Colombia
- China
- Japan
- South Korea
- India
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Russia
- Oman
- Qatar
- Brazil
- South Africa
- Mexico
- Bahrain
- United Arab Emirates
It is important to verify the specific adoption requirements of the country from which you plan to adopt, as some may require additional documentation, translated documents, or background checks from other jurisdictions.
International adoption authorities, as well as U.S. immigration services, rely heavily on this document to verify that prospective adoptive parents do not pose any risk to the child’s welfare. It acts as a fundamental safeguard that protects the child at every stage of the adoption journey.
The FBI background check requires submission of the official FD-258 fingerprint card, a standardized fingerprint form recognized worldwide. This ensures that your fingerprints meet strict accuracy standards and that your background check will be accepted by foreign adoption agencies and governments.
Step-by-Step to Obtain Your FBI Background Check for International Adoptions with Expatgroup.co
FBI Background Check Service
- Filling out the FBI form
- Fingerprinting (Medellín and Bogotá)
- International shipment to USA
- FBI criminal record certificate
- Authentication of the certificate through a public notary in the USA
- Apostille certificate
- Official translations into Spanish
Do Foreigners Have to Comply with the Hague Convention on Adoption in Colombia?
If you are considering adopting a child internationally, compliance with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption is often a key requirement. This international agreement promotes ethical and transparent adoption practices to protect the welfare of children and all parties involved in the adoption process.
For prospective adoptive parents, this usually means that both your home country and the child’s country of origin must be members of the Hague Convention. Member countries coordinate through their central adoption authorities to ensure that legal protections are upheld, risks such as trafficking and unofficial adoptions are minimized, and that the best interests of the child remain the primary focus.
Whether you are adopting from a Hague Convention country or a non-member country, it is important to understand the applicable regulations and requirements to ensure a safe, legal, and successful adoption journey.
What Are the Requirements for International Adoption?
International adoption processes vary widely depending on the countries involved, but many share several important requirements designed to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.
Some of the most common requirements prospective adoptive parents must meet include:
Countries with some of the highest international adoption rates over recent years include the United States, China, Ukraine, South Korea, Russia, and various Latin American countries. While procedures and criteria differ, the FBI Background Check remains a frequent and vital part of the process for adoptive parents worldwide.
What Are the Requirements for Adopting in Colombia?
In Colombia, international adoption is centrally regulated by the Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF), which oversees both the legal and welfare aspects of the adoption process. The ICBF plays a crucial role in declaring children adoptable and ensuring prospective parents meet Colombia’s specific criteria to provide safe, stable homes.
Key requirements under Colombian law include compliance with age and relationship criteria, physical and mental health evaluations, and a clean criminal background check. For foreign applicants, this often involves submitting an FBI Background Check using the standardized FD-258 fingerprint card, ensuring adherence to international standards.
As part of the adoption process, prospective parents must assemble a comprehensive dossier of documents demonstrating their readiness and suitability. Common required documents include:
While these documents reflect Colombian regulations, many of these core requirements align with international adoption standards worldwide, all aiming to protect children and ensure adoptive families are well-prepared.
How Can Expatgroup Simplify Your FBI Criminal Background Check?
Dealing with international bureaucracy can feel overwhelming, especially when your heart and mind are focused on preparing to welcome your new family member. That’s exactly why expatgroup is here: to be your trusted partner every step of the way.
Our specialized service takes the hassle off your shoulders by managing the entire process of securing your FBI Criminal Background Check. Whether you’re in Bogotá, Medellín, or the United States, we offer convenient fingerprinting services using the official FBI FD-258 fingerprint card, ensuring your prints meet strict FBI and international standards.
Beyond fingerprinting, we handle legalization, apostilles, and any required document translations to guarantee full compliance with Colombian and international adoption regulations. With expatgroup, you avoid common pitfalls and delays, as our experienced team ensures your background check is processed efficiently and correctly.
FBI Background Check Service
- Filling out the FBI form
- Fingerprinting (Medellín and Bogotá)
- International shipment to USA
- FBI criminal record certificate
- Authentication of the certificate through a public notary in the USA
- Apostille certificate
- Official translations into Spanish
Medellin Guru's comprehensive visa and passport series
The Colombian visa changes that went into effect in October 2022 were significant. So, on the Medellin Guru site, we have a comprehensive series of visa articles that are kept up-to-date and should answer most visa questions. These articles include:
- Colombia Visa Guide: Ultimate Guide How to Get a Colombian Visa
- How to Obtain a Colombian Visa with Up-to-Date Info – an overview of all the Colombian visas
- Popular Colombian Visas for Foreigners: Which Visa is the Most Popular?
- Coronavirus Impacts on Colombian Visas and Tourist Visas
- Visa Agencies: A Guide to Visa Agencies in Medellín and Colombia
- 9Common Colombian Visa Mistakes: How to Avoid Them
We have looked in detail at the nine most popular Colombian visas used by foreigners:
- Digital Nomad Visa
- Retirement visa
- Marriage visa
- Investment visa
- Business Visa
- Resident visa
- Work visa
- Student visa
- Visitor visa
Also, we have looked in detail at three additional Colombian visas, which are less popular for foreigners:
- Rentista visa (annuity visa) – for foreigners with a fixed income
- Beneficiary visa – for relatives of visa holders
- Expertise visa – for professionals
In addition, we have a guide to Colombia tourist visas and how to extend a tourist visa. Also, we have a guide to renewing U.S. passports in Colombia and a guide to obtaining a Colombian passport.
Furthermore, we provide information about travel insurance that meets the insurance requirement for Colombian visas. And we have a guide to how apply for a cedula extranjeria in Colombia and a guide to using notaries in Medellín and Colombia. Finally, Medellin Guru has partnered with a visa agency to offer Colombia visa services.
All of our Colombia visa articles are up to date (2024) and constantly receive updates in 2025.
The Bottom Line: FBI Background Check for International Adoptions with the FD-258 Card
The journey of international adoption can feel complex, with many steps and important details to navigate. One key requirement that prospective adoptive parents must clearly understand is the FBI Criminal Background Check, submitted through the official FD-258 fingerprint card.
This background check is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of the child, and it is a mandatory step in many adoption programs worldwide. Whether you are living in Colombia, the United States, or elsewhere, obtaining a valid FBI background check is foundational to a smooth adoption process.
With careful preparation, accurate documentation, and professional assistance, you can confidently move forward toward building your family, focusing on what truly matters: welcoming your new child with love and care.
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