How to Adopt From Guatemala
Guatemala has been a very popular choice for international adoption for several years now. Many people have chosen this country as the place to find a child to join their family. Knowing the specific requirements and steps to adopt from Guatemala will make your journey easier.
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Instructions
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Select an agency to assist you in your adoption. Research your options carefully and make your decision only after getting references and thoroughly checking out the agency. Choosing an experienced, competent and efficient agency is key to having as smooth an adoption process as possible.
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Follow your agency's instructions on getting started on your adoption. Sign their contract, submit the required fees and begin the steps to have your homestudy completed.
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Apply for preliminary immigration approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by completing and submitting the I-600a form along with the required documentation. While waiting for this approval, compile your adoption dossier according to your agency's requirements.
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Wait for the referral of a child. Some agencies will have a referral very quickly; others may have a waiting list of several months or more. Once you receive a referral, sign the Power of Attorney document and send it to Guatemala.
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Know the basic steps that you must complete. They occur in the following order: translation of documents into Spanish, interviews and social worker's report from Guatemala's Family Court, DNA test of the birth mother and child, US embassy preapproval applied for and received and finally PGN (which is similar to an Attorney General's Office) phase.
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Wait as patiently as you can. Processing times depend on the time of year and the situation within the country.
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Once your case exits PGN with the director's signature of approval, your adoption is complete. Your agency will apply for your child's visa to enter the United States and then you can travel to bring your child home. Typically you will only need to stay in Guatemala about four days before returning to the United States.
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Tips & Warnings
Pay careful attention to detail while completing all of the paperwork for your adoption. Guatemala is notoriously picky about the documents you submit. Simple errors such as typos or messy signatures can cause delays in your adoption process.
Unfortunately, not everyone's adoption will progress at the same rate. Some adoptions will seem to fly through with no difficulty, while others will get bogged down in the system. Be prepared for delays and try not to be upset when they occur.
