Guatemala
PROGRAM ON HOLD
Children Available
Infants, newborn to 12 months at the time of referral, toddlers and younger children. Families may request a gender and/or age preference.
Who May Adopt?
Married couples and singles. Guatemala may require that singles produce additional documentation demonstrating that they are not homosexual. It may also be easier for single men to adopt boys. Prior divorces and/or other children in the home are acceptable. Guatemala is quite flexible on the age of adoptive parents. There is no length of marriage requirement.
Time Frame
After a dossier is completed, referrals of boys may be immediate, but the wait for girls may be longer. After accepting a referral, it takes about 4-9 months to complete the adoption. Use of an escort prolongs the processing time.
Travel
It is recommended that both parents travel for one trip of about three days. However, an escort is available at an additional fee plus the escort's airfare for families who cannot travel. Traveling families are guided through the process in Guatemala by an English-speaking contact. Parents stay in hotels. Adoptive families may also choose to travel to Guatemala at their own expense to visit their child while the adoption is being processed.
The Process
Under our guidance, adoptive parents complete their home study, obtain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) approval and build a dossier of documents needed for a Guatemalan adoption. Once a child is identified, families receive a referral with medical information including the results of HIV and Hepatitis testing along with a photo. The U.S. Embassy requires DNA testing to establish maternity. Loving foster families in Guatemala care for the child during the adoption process. When the adoption is completed, families travel to Guatemala City to pick up the child and complete the visa process at the U.S. Embassy. Two post placement visits with a social worker are required.
Fees and Expenses
Program fees encompass all professional services including the Guatemalan attorney. Additional expenses include pre-adoption costs such as the CIS fee, fingerprints, the home study, and the cost of documents as well as the DNA test, travel expenses, U.S. embassy fees and required post placement.
(c)Rev. 5/05
