THE CHILDREN:The children from Guatemala are generally a combination of Mayan Indian and European ancestry. In Guatemala they are know as “Ladinos”. There are many infants and toddlers available for adoption from Guatemala. Adoptions from Guatemala are private, which means that the children in our program are available for adoption because their unmarried birth mother is voluntarily relinquishing the child for adoption. Poverty and or social reasons are why some women in Guatemala place their children for adoption. The attorney in charge of the case places the children in private foster homes during the adoption process. They receive love and individualized care that is essential for a child developmentally. The children available for adoption from our program are in good health. They receive good medical care and immunizations while they await the completion of the adoption. The children undergo a general blood test and are tested for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis.
THE PROCESS:
The adoption process takes approximately 6 months once your authenticated dossier is received in our office and you accept a referral. The referral time for a child usually takes one week to one month. You will receive medical information on the child and a photograph. You will also receive background information on the birth mother and whatever information is available on the birth father to help you with your decision. You are under no obligation to accept the first identified child. We will work with you to find the child you decide to adopt. Once that is done your dossier will be sent to Guatemala for the start of the adoption process.
Although adoptions are considered private in Guatemala there are governmental procedures that must be followed. These procedures are necessary to prevent fraudulent adoptions. The safeguards in place at the American Embassy serve to prevent families from adopting a child who could not be classified as an orphan according to US immigration law and therefore would not able to get a visa to enter and live in the United States.
THE COSTS:
- The cost of our program is $20,000.00.
- It includes the facilitation fee and the international adoption fee.
- We will assist you through every step of the process from locating your child, the preparation of your dossier, through the Guatemalan process and finally through the immigration process to bring your child home. We can also help you with your travel plans.
- The foreign fee covers: professional legal fees, private foster care, in country translation of dossier, monthly medical visits and vaccinations.
- And other costs necessary for the completion of the Guatemalan process.
Other expenses you will incur during the adoption:
- Home Study preparation (varies by state)
- INS I-600A fee ($460.00) & fingerprints ($50.00 per adult)
- DNA testing for mother & child ($420.00)
- Child’s immigrant Visa ($325.00 per child)
- Medical exam for Visa ($35.00 per child)
- Airfare & hotel stay
