The Future of Guatemala Adoption

In a time where many adoption professionals fear the future of adoption in Guatemala, we are making unprecedented efforts to revolutionize the Guatemalan adoption system. Because we are working with an orphanage, where children are in need of adoption, instead of waiting for birthmothers and working with Guatemalan facilitators who demand high fees and work on their own terms, we are avoiding the dangers of corrupt adoption practices in Guatemala. Attorney fees for legal work are minimal, and our program adheres to US Hague regulations. Guatemala’s current adoption system will likely dissolve as the country works to bring its adoption practices into Hague compliance. Our hope is to help put something more stable in place, something that will change lives for the better for hundreds of children and families. We turn our backs on the coercion, manipulation, and child-trafficking practices common in Guatemala. We are creating the mold for future adoptions. All of the children adopted through our "Central American Angels" program are currently waiting for their forever families. These beautiful children range in age from 4-16, and need your help to find stable and loving homes and hope for a bright future.

Who Can Adopt From Guatemala?

Couples and singles ages 25-55 are eligible to adopt. Guatemala does not place restrictions on parents who have had previous marriages. Nor do they deny adoption to families who already have several children. Very large families should be prepared to face delays in the process. If anyone living in the household has a criminal background, the family will not be allowed to adopt from Guatemala. Single men wishing to adopt from Guatemala will usually be discouraged from adopting girls.

What is the Process, and How Long Will it Take?

Because "Central American Angels" is a pilot program, we can only offer our best estimate of the current wait time. After we receive your dossier, we anticipate 45 days of processing at the PGN, and 30 days processing at the US Embassy. As with any adoption program, it is important to remember that the wait times with Guatemala adoptions can fluctuate. After we receive your application and signed fee schedule, we will help you with your home study (if you don’t have one), your USCIS (Immigration) documents, and your dossier.

"Central American Angels," are waiting children. This means that you will not have to wait for a referral! Your child, or children are already waiting for you.

You will be required to make two trips to Guatemala. During the first trip, of 3-5 days, you will meet your child and sign a "Power of Attorney," allowing our Guatemalan attorney to complete the legal work for your adoption in Guatemala. You may spend time bonding with your child, and may choose to spend more time in Guatemala with your child if you desire.

After you arrive home, you will spend time completing your dossier if you have not already done so. Your dossier is a packet of documents that tells the Guatemalan government about you and your family. Once your dossier arrives in Guatemala, it makes its way through the Procuraduria General de la Nacion or PGN (Guatemala’s General Attorney’s office) for adoption approval.

After the PGN approves the adoption, our attorney can prepare the final adoption decree, which will be filed with the proper authority. Then, under Guatemalan law, the child legally belongs to you.

Before you can travel to Guatemala to receive your child, our attorney will obtain the child’s Guatemalan passport, and submit the case file to the US Embassy. The Embassy will review the documents and give final approval for you to bring your child to the United States. Once we receive this approval, you will be able to travel to Guatemala again. You can plan to spend 3-4 days on your second trip to Guatemala, where you will receive all of the necessary paperwork, including your child’s US Visa so that you can return home together.

Costs

$15,000, including travel

At your request, Premier Adoption Agency will gladly make available the following information: (a) the number of our adoption placements per year for the prior three calendar years, and the number and percentage of those placements that remain intact, are disrupted, or have been dissolved as of the time the information is provided; and (b) the number of parents who apply to adopt on a yearly basis, based on the last three calendar years. Premier Adoption Agency does not currently have any waiting child program. Parents who apply for adoption through programs with Premier Adoption Agency will not be referred a child for placement until a child becomes available through the appropriate Central Authority in the child’s country of origin.