It is likely that you have heard about couples adopting newborns in Guatemala. The reasons behind this choice in country are usually the same. Guatemala offers a more relaxed adoption system which allows more ample criteria in the parent selection. Another reason is easy availability to healthy babies and a lower cost when compared to European adoptions or Asian adoptions.
If you are reading this page you are probably considering Guatemala as an option. You are also probably finding it very difficult to find resources which give you some idea in what to expect. Just recently my friend Laura shared some notes regarding her adoption experience with me. I do hope it gives you a more clear sense of what to look forward to when adopting a baby from Guatemala.
…We first received notice of Lucas on June 2004; our adoption agency forwarded us pictures of a lovely newborn from Guatemala. We had waited for this moment for 6 months since we initiated our dossier process. Lucas profile described him as a healthy boy born to an unwed teenager.
We made plans to travel to Guatemala with the assistance of our agency, we would stay in Guatemala for two weeks, one for taking care of all embassy transactions and the second week to visit and get to know the land of our new baby boy.
Continue reading: Adoptions in Guatemala
Comment by Gabriela Klose at Jan 20th, 2005 10:08 am ↑
This is so nice of you to go back to Guatemala and adopt little kids. This kids are very cute and nice and they need all your love. I am sure that they will have a better life with you. I will like to know if it is difficoult to get all the papers in order so that the baby can go out from Guatemala. And I will also like to know if this little boys or girls are ever comming back to visit Guatemala? Do Guatemala have many places to adopt kids? I think it is so cool for you to make kids happy!
Comment by Mey at Jan 21st, 2005 1:06 pm ↑
Andrea,
The paperwork is fairly simple. Guatemala has no age criteria for adoptive parents. Once the dossier is submitted to a Guatemalan lawyer it will take about 6 weeks to get a referral. Keep in mind that most reputable adoption agencies will handle most of the paperwork for you. Here is a useful link
http://www.wiaa.org/guatemala.asp
Comment by Mey at Jan 21st, 2005 1:11 pm ↑
Regarding bringing your adoptive baby back to understand his or her roots. Keep in mind that Guatemalan adoptions are very open. You often meet the birthmother and have an opportunity to see the culture for yourself. When visiting Antigua Guatemala it is not uncommon to see European and American parents traveling with their Guatemalan adoptees. The family dynamic seems to work quite well and the children aquire good understanding of their origin. As far as having fun with a family returning to Guatemala aside from cultural activities Guatemala has one of the most amazing waterpark and amusement park south of the border. Here is the link
http://www.irtra.org.gt/xocomil.htm
Comment by Carolyn Gallacher at Apr 29th, 2007 9:57 pm ↑
Hi my name is Carolyn, I am 27 years old, am married and have 2 of my own beautiful children, but my dream has always been to adopt.
Even as a child it was my goal & dream to adopt a child.
I actuaaly worked in the Los Pinos Orphange when I was 17 years old for a few months. I loved it & would have adopted then if I had been old enough.
Can you please let me know if there is any chance that we are able to adopt a child?
Thank you, & I look forward to hearing from you.
Kindest Regards,
Carolyn Gallacher
Comment by peter at Aug 16th, 2007 4:17 am ↑
can you pls give me full details about adopting