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Guatemala Adoption Program
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Children Available |
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PROGRAM CLOSED
No applications are being accepted.
Suggested countries: (click on country)
Ethiopia
Ukraine |
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Age:
Referrals are typically made of newborn babies or children less than 12
months of age. Older children are available. |
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Gender: Both
boys and girls are available, although the wait for a baby girl can
sometimes take longer than a baby boy. Waitlists for both boys and girls
typically move quickly. |
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Health:
Most children are
reported as healthy and developmentally on target, due to the private foster
care. Some may have special needs that are usually identified prior at time
of referral. Children are typically placed in private foster homes after
birth or relinquishment by birth mother. |
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Adoptive Parents Requirements |
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Marriage:
Per the
Guatemalan law, single heterosexual people (male and female) and married
couples may adopt. Couples should be married at least one year. Previously
divorced individuals may also adopt. Individual considerations can be
discussed with your agency representative. |
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Age:
There is no upper age limit for adoption of older children. For adoption of
an enfant, the parent(s) must be between the ages of 25 to 50. Some
flexibility exists; please speak with an agency representative. |
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Children:
No limitation regarding
the number of children already in the home. |
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Travel: Travel to Guatemala is
very short, typically 3-5 days to complete the process. Escort is available.
You may visit your child prior to the completion of the adoption if desired. |
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Time Frame:
After you submit your
completed dossier, the referral of a child should take from one week to a
few months at the most. On average, it is 6-8 months until you travel to
receive your child upon acceptance of referral. Timelines vary greatly due
to many factors. |
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Referrals:
Referrals of children
(typically newborn infants) are made upon submission of approved homestudy
and/or submission of dossier. |
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Guatemala Information Resources:
USCIS I-600A Filing Fee Increase
Information:
Effective July 30, 2007, the filing fee for the I600A
application will increase to $750 (including biometrics for one person)
plus $80 biometric fee for each person 18 years of age or older living
with you. Applications postmarked on or after July 30 must be
accompanied by the new fee.
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ADOPTION PROCESS |
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Sign on with
agency. |
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Begin
homestudy. |
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File I-600A with USCIS. |
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Begin dossier. |
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Complete
homestudy, dossier and receive I171H from USCIS. |
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Birthmother’s
1st signature received, relinquishing child. |
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Receive
referral of a child. |
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Dossier and
power of attorney sent to Guatemala to begin the adoption. |
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Family Court.
Birthmother’s 2nd signature received. |
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DNA test
authorized and conducted. Birthmother’s 3rd signature
received. |
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Pre-Approval
of DNA results from Embassy. |
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File moves
into PGN for final review. |
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Adoption
approved by PGN. |
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Birthmother
makes final signature agreeing to adoption. Adoption Decree
Issued. |
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Final documents submitted to US
Embassy and authorization for 2nd DNA test from Embassy. |
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DNA test
results received and submitted to embassy. |
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Pink Slip
issued. |
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Family travels
to receive child and return home! |
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Guatemala
- 2008 Fees |
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Colorado Families
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Families Outside of Colorado
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| Foreign Fees |
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| Guatemala Program |
$10,000 – $19,250 |
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*most infant adoptions are $18,500-19,250 |
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| Foreign Fees |
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| Guatemala Program |
$10,000 – $19,250 |
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*most infant adoptions are $18,500-19,250 |
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| Homestudy Service
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| Family Assessment |
$1,200 |
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Homestudy Service
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You will be
required to complete a homestudy with a
licensed agency in your state. IAN will
assist you in locating a licensed agency.
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| Post-placement services
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$800 |
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To meet state licensing requirements, IAN
requires 3 post placement visits/reports
within the first year, conducted by a
licensed social worker/agency in your state.
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| Post placement reports
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Post placement reports are not required by
the Guatemalan government. IAN requests post
placements in the first six months the child
is home. |
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NOTE: Full Guatemalan Attorney Fees are
required for the adoption of a second or third child, and a
separate dossier must be completed for each child’s
adoption. A discount off the agency service fee applies for
a second or third child’s adoption.
Costs not included in the Guatemala
Program Fee:
The adoptive family will be responsible
for all fees and expenses associated with the adoption. The
above fee schedule represents all of the professional fees
to be paid to IAN. Other miscellaneous costs may include,
but are not limited to, Fed Ex fees, DNA testing for
birthmother and child ($350) and medical exit exam ($85) and
Visa for child ($380), all travel expenses, dossier
preparation ($200-500), homestudy and post placement reports
in your home state, fees for obtaining birth, marriage,
divorce, and other certificates; physical exams for parent(s)
and child(ren); notarization, authentication and
legalization fees; long distance phone calls; express mail
and other courier fees; Visa and Passport fees; Immigration
and Naturalization Service fees; Colorado Department of
Human Service fees; air fare; accommodations in another
country; court fees in the U.S., fees for birth
certification and naturalization fees and other expenses. |
For more detailed information on the program, process or fee schedule,
please contact International Adoption Net
or at 303.691.0808.
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