1. Who is eligible to adopt from Guatemala?

CIS guidelines require that adoptive families be 25 years or older to adopt. Married couples and single women are eligible to adopt from Guatemala. Your income must be at least 125% of the U.S. Poverty Guidelines.

2. Can I adopt if my spouse is not a US citizen?

CIS regulations permit international adoptions if only one spouse is a citizen. However, the other spouse must have some legal status within the United States.

3. How long will it take for me to receive CIS approval?

Depending on your state, CIS approval can be obtained within 6 weeks to 4 months from the time a family is fingerprinted and CIS has received the family’s home study.

4. What is the purpose of “Immigration Clearance”?

Immigration clearance or approval is necessary for a family to bring an internationally adopted child into the United States. Immigration Clearance ensures that a child adopted abroad is legally eligible for adoption and offers an assurance to foreign governments that the adoptive family will provide a stable and loving home.

5. What is an IR-3 and an IR-4 VISA?

An IR-3 VISA is given to a child who has been adopted abroad by the family and that family personally saw the child prior to or during the adoption process. Both members of a married couple must personally meet the child before PGN issues a final decree for the child to be eligible for an IR-3 visa. If a child enters the US on an IR-3 visa, that child will automatically gain US citizenship upon admission to the US. A Certificate of Citizenship will follow in the mail within about 2-4 months. An IR-4 VISA is given to children who are coming to the United States whose family’s did not see the child prior to the adoption being finalized in the foreign country. If a child enters the US on an IR-4 visa, that child will gain Lawful Permanent Resident (aka) status. Upon readoption (done according to the laws of the state in which the family resides), the child will automatically gain US citizenship. The issuance of a Certificate of Citizenship is not automatic; the family must apply for one via the USCIS.

6. How much does it cost?

A detailed breakdown of the fees and costs associated with an adoption from Guatemala can be found on the estimate of fees page.

7. How long does it take?

The Guatemalan adoption process can be divided into two main time ranges: Dossier preparation and CIS approval typically takes 2-6 months. You may be able to complete it in less time or it may take you longer. This is one point in the process that the timing depends very much on you. When you accept your referral of a child, you will sign a power of attorney authorizing the attorney in Guatemala to process the adoption on your behalf. Your adoption does not begin to be processed in the Guatemalan court system until the power of attorney is registered in Guatemala. We currently estimate that it will take 5-6 months from the time you formally accept your referral until you will be able to travel to bring your child home. If unforeseen complications occur, it could take longer. As we’re sure you understand, this process is dependent upon various administrative agencies that have their own.

8. What ages are the children who are available from Guatemala?

At the time of referral, children are usually between the ages of one day to 6 months. Children between the ages 6 to 12 months are occasionally available. Children older than 12 months are not available as often and you should be prepared for a longer wait for a referral if you would like to adopt a child toddler age or older at the time of referral. As stated above, the adoption process currently takes 5-6 months from the time you receive the referral. You should plan on your child being approximately 5-6 months older than his or her age at referral when he/she comes home. Please understand that if unusual delays or circumstances occur during your adoption, your child could be even older when they come home.

9. Can I choose the sex and age of my child?

Yes, you can choose the sex and age of your child. We work individually with each adoptive family to assist you in building your family.

10. Where do the children live?

The children are living in foster homes. Foster parents are chosen by the attorneys in Guatemala. No more than two foster children can be placed in the same home but the foster family may have biological children as well. Guatemalan foster mothers are very family oriented and care for each baby as if the child were her own.

11. Are the children in Guatemala healthy?

Generally the children adopted from Guatemala are healthy. Statistics indicate that the children adopted from Guatemala are among the healthiest of internationally adopted children, in part because of the nearly exclusive use of foster care versus institutionalized care. Of course, there is always the possibility of unforeseen or undetected medical issues and you should be prepared for such. One of the most notable features of Guatemalan children is a birthmark called a Mongolian spot. It is a bluish-gray flat birthmark that is found in more than 90 percent of American Indian, Oriental, Hispanic, and black babies. They occur most commonly over the back and buttocks, although they can be present on any part of the body. They vary greatly in size and shape. Most fade away by 2 or 3 years of age, although a trace may persist into adult life.

12. Does the birth mother receive pre-natal care?

Generally the first contact the attorney has with the birth mother is when she relinquishes the child. Therefore, the attorney has little control over the quality of pre-natal care received. Because it is not customary in Guatemala to see a doctor regularly as it is here in the states, it is unlikely that the birth mother will have received regular pre-natal check ups.

13. What kind of medical information will I receive with the referral?

When you receive a referral of a child, you will receive the child's lab results for Hepatitis B, syphilis, and HIV. You will also receive a brief report from the doctor describing the child's general health. You will receive lab results for the birth mother for HIV, Hepatitis B, and syphilis. No other medical information will be available for the birth mother.

14. Does the medical information need to be reviewed by a doctor?

It is not required that the medical information be reviewed by a doctor but we do recommend that you obtain a medical opinion. We are not in a position to offer medical advice or opinions. We want you to be comfortable with the decision you are making and encourage you to take the time needed to read through and evaluate the information provided, and to obtain the opinion of a pediatrician.

15. Will I get updated pictures of my child after the initial referral information?

You will receive updated photos and measurements (height, weight, & head circumference) approximately every 4 to 6 weeks. We will also travel to Guatemala every other month to personally see your child, take photos and video tape and take any items to your child as well.

16. How involved is the birth mother in the adoption process?

The birth mother has to personally relinquish the child to the attorney in Guatemala, who will then assign the child to a foster mother. The birth mother will be interviewed by a Family Court Social Worker. DNA samples will be taken from both the child and the birth mother to assure that she is indeed the child's biological parent. The birth mother and child are required to be present at the same time to take the samples. Once the adoption file is approved, the birth mother will again be asked to ratify her decision by signing the final adoption decree. Additionally, although not required, our attorneys involve all the birth mothers in an interview/questionnaire process at the time of relinquishment to ensure the birth mother is acting voluntarily and understands her decision.

17. Can the birth mother change her mind?

Yes. The birth mother can change her mind at any point in the process until she signs the final adoption decree. It is rare that the birth mother will change her mind but you should be prepared for the possibility.

18. Do I have to travel?

Even though the adoption is finalized in the foreign country based on a Power of Attorney signed by you, it is still necessary for someone to travel to obtain a visa for the child to travel to the United States. We strongly recommend that our families travel to see their child's birth country and experience the culture. However, we do offer escort services but want you to be aware that escorting your child home will involve additional steps at the end of the adoption being finalized in Guatemala, and therefore making the process to bring your child home longer. How much longer you ask? Depends on the CIS office in your area. It could take a few days to several weeks.

19. How long do I have to be in Guatemala?

The stay in Guatemala for the pick-up trip is usually 4-6 days. If you choose to visit your child before the adoption is final, that trip may be as long or short as you would like.

20. Where will I stay in Guatemala?

There are many nice hotels in Guatemala City. Some of those include the Marriott, Westin, & Radisson. There are also many nice Guatemalan hotels, such as La Casa Grande for those families that would like to experience more of the Guatemalan culture. Many times the decision of where to stay while in Guatemala also depends upon the attorney with whom you will be working.

21. Who will help me while I am there?

We will make all arrangements for you to be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel. You will meet you foster mother when you receive your child and a translator will be provided at this time if the Guatemalan attorney is not available to meet with you at this time. You will be picked up in the morning and taken to the U.S. Embassy to apply for your child's visa. If you want to do any sightseeing, we will also help you with those arrangements.

22. Who will make the travel arrangements?

We will help you with your travel arrangements. Once you receive final approval from our office to travel you are free to travel at your convenience. Our staff will consult with you about your proposed itinerary and make sure it is appropriate before you secure your tickets.

23. Do I need to take large amounts of cash with me when I travel?

You do not have to carry much cash when you travel. Your international fees will be submitted through our agency before you travel. When you travel, you will need to pay in cash a $380 visa fee at the U.S. Embassy; and in addition to the visa fee, we'll recommend that you take approximately another $500 in cash for souvenirs, food, airport tax (when you depart Guatemala), etc. Other than that, large expenses such as airfare, hotel, etc., can be charged to your credit card.

24. Can I visit the child before the adoption is finalized?

Yes, you can visit the child. We do recommend that you wait until after the DNA testing has been completed and the DNA results have been obtained, however.