Virgin Islands Foster Care and Adoption Requirements

The U.S. Virgin Islands Division of Children, Youth and Families includes the Office of Intervention Services.  Within that office, children who need to be placed in foster care for a period of time are served by the Protective and Foster Care unit.  To find offices located on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, please visit the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services website.

Things You Should Know

• Foster Care and Adoption Licensing Requirements
• Costs to Foster and Adopt
• Agency Contact and Orientation Information
• Information on the Virgin Islands' Waiting Children

Foster Care and Adoption
Licensing Requirements

A family must have sufficient resources to care for a child. Age and health are also considerations. The Virgin Islands’ Department of Human Services (DHS) requires identifying documents: a birth certificate, a Social Security card, immigration documents, marriage or divorce documents, if applicable, verification of address, and employment and income. The department also requires a doctor's physical exam, five letters of reference and a police record check. We also request a letter of introduction, including the family’s reasons for wanting to become foster or adoptive parents, and a photo.

Costs to Foster and Adopt

DHS does not presently charge a fee for any part of the adoption process. However, when it is time to finalize the adoption, the family must hire a private attorney to file the petition (This costs $500 or more).

Agency Contact and Orientation Information

St. Croix, VI

• Office of Intervention Services, Division of Children and Family Services
  Contact: Jean A. Nesbitt-Matthew, District Manager
                  Cherlyn Bradford-Wattley, Licensing Specialist
  Address: 6179 Anna's Hope, Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820
  Phone: 340-773-5303
  Fax: 340-773-1882
  Email: jggmatth@yahoo.com

St. Thomas and St. John, VI

• Office of Intervention Services, Division of Children and Family Services
  Contact: Janet Turnbull-Krigger, Administrator
  Address: Knud Hansen Complex, 1303 Hospital Ground, St. Thomas, VI 00802
  Phone: 340-774-0930, Ext. 4392
  Fax: 340-774-0082
  Email: turnbullkrigger@yahoo.com
• VIDA (Voice for International Development and Adoption)
  Email: vidaadopt@aol.com
  Phone: 518-828-4527

Information on the Virgin Islands'
Waiting Children

The children in the public child welfare system range in age from infants to 21 years old. Abuse, neglect or other family issues prevent them from living with their birth parents.

Learn more about adoption, foster care and children who are waiting for families.