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Guatemala Update on Granting of Visa Interviews
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala announces a change in the
granting of immigrant visa interviews to adopted children. Beginning
with final approvals received from DHS the week of September
26,2005, the U.S. Embassy will schedulel specific immigrant visa
appointment dates and times for all adoption cases. The U.S.
Embassy will continue to issue "pink slips." Those "pink slips" will
indicate the specific date and time of your child's immigrant visa
appointment, which will likely be during the week following the
granting of DHS final approval. Please note that the "pink slip"
will also contain specific instructions for requesting a different
immigrant visa interview appointment, if you are not able to make
the one we schedule for you. Please do not contact the U.S.
Embassy prior to the issuance of the "pink slip" requesting specific
appointment dates. In addition to indicating the appointment date
and time for the immigrant visa interview, the "pink slip" will also
specify the date and time that the immigrant visa, if approved, will
be available for pick-up.
As always, adoptive parents are urged no to travel to Guatemala
until the "pink slip" has been issued, and until they have confirmed
the date and the time of their child's immigrant visa interview.
Guatemala Update on Visas
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala announces a change in the timing of delivery of issued immigrant visas to adopted children and all other immigrant visas. Due to new biometric security enhancements, all immigrant visas including those for adopted children will be available for issuance at 3:30 pm the next workday following the immigrant visa interview. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala regrets that that it is no longer able to offer same day immigrant visa issuance. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala remains committed to providing accurate, timely, and transparent service to U.S. Citizens adopting Guatemalan children.
Children In Country
 Having a staffed office in Guatemala greatly helps the whole process of all the adoptions that we do. We are able to work closer with our Attorney’s and the staff are readily available for many types of issues that may occur. The majority of children needing adoptive
families in Guatemala are infants. Birth mothers typically contact our
Attorneys while still pregnant to make adoption plans. Therefore, most
of the babies are born in hospital settings and immediately placed in foster
homes and referred to adoptive parents. We do have birth mothers that relinquish
their other children that they have tried to care for and can no longer
financially afford to care for them. Toddlers and sibling groups also need
homes.
The wait time for a child referral varies between 0-3 months. Most referrals
are for newborns. After accepting the referral, you will complete
the additional paperwork and begin the Guatemalan legal process.
The children are taken to monthly well-baby checkups and receive vaccinations
needed for their age. A Field of Dreams has children for adoption who are
older or who have medical concerns. Children are cared for and loved
by their foster families and caregivers until the court process is finished
and the adoptive parents pick them up (about 6-8 months after all paper work is given to your Attorney).
Please note that this time frame may vary.
Requirements to Adopt
 The Guatemalan requirements for adoptive parents
are quite liberal. The main requirement is that adoptive parents do not
suffer from any contagious or infectious conditions. There is no limit
on the number of children already in the family and parents can be up to
60 years old, married or single. Since the adoptions are not centralized
through the government, the birth mothers and court workers set requirement
standards. Parents who are open to the gender of their child receive a
child referral. Parents travel to Guatemala, where they will stay in a
hotel (approximately 3 business days), to pick up their child. Escorting
is available.
Adoption Process
Most cases average 6-8 months after referral
(or longer if it is an abandonment case). This time frame may vary and
could be less than 6-8 months. The birth mother is an integral part of
the adoption process. DNA testing is required of the birth mother and child.
A picture of them will be taken at the clinic and provided to the adoptive
parents. Also as a special service to you, you will receive photos, videos,
and baby report cards every 6-8 weeks
so you can watch your child grow! This service is at no extra cost to you.
The birth mother meets with a court social worker who writes a social report
on her and expresses her consent to adoption at various times during the
adoption process, including signing the final adoption decree. When you
pick up your child (or have the child escorted) you will receive your final
adoption decree and birth mother's report. Many people choose to visit
their child and foster families during the adoption process. Some parents
may be able to meet the birth mother.
Country Costs
The country program
fees are approximately $17,500-22,000. These fees cover the costs of
government and legal procedures and paperwork done for you as an adoptive
family and the child you adopt. They also cover the work done by the foster
mothers, well-baby visits, representatives, lawyers and translators in
the country. Please
note that the fees do not cover your costs of a home study, A Field of
Dreams program fee, or any post placement reports done by your local agency. There
are also miscellaneous U.S. government fees including immigration and
certifications of papers, as well as airfare and other travel expenses.
Although the country fees seem high, they are close to many other countries
once you factor in the very short stay in the Country and the short travel
distance. The total cost of the entire adoption, including all attorney
and agency fees, paperwork fees, DNA testing, and travel, will average
between $30,000.00 and $35,000.00.
Documents
The following documents are required in the Guatemalan adoption process.
Affidavit for Guatemala
Notice of Entry of Appearance
as Attorney or Representative
I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan
as an Immediate Relative
Name Affidavit
Glimpse
at Guatemalan Adoptions
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Requirements |
Ages of the Children |
0 - Older Children / Siblings |
Parent's Requirements |
25 to 60 Years of Age |
Marriage |
At Least 1 Year |
Number of Children |
No Limit |
Time Frame (estimated) |
Referral |
Minimal |
Process |
6 - 8 Months (this time frame may vary) |
Travel |
4 Business Days or Escort |
Costs (estimated) |
Country Fees |
Approximately $17,500 - $22,000 (half paid at time of referral) |
Agency Placement Fee |
Approximately $5,000 |
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