Adopting from Guatamala

[In a hurry]

We are considering this option. Does anyone have any experience? Thank you!

 

[blessedby3]

I dont have a personal experience with it myself, but my neighbors adopted a sweet little girl from Guatamala last year. She was about 9 months old when they got her and she is so cute. I believe they told me that an adpotition through Guatamala was supposed to be a bit quicker than some other countries. I also think it was a bit more expensive than other countries like China. They also traveled to see her once before they traveled again to pick her up. Good luck to you.

 

[In a hurry]

Thank you. We've heard that it is more expensive, but is quicker. And I know the two sweetest little girls adopted from there. I am nervous about approaching their mom, as I only know her through friends.

 

[eeyorefan74]

We looked into adopting from Guatemala, but unless it's changed recently, their international adoption program is on hold. I don't know the details, but the US wasn't allowing Guatemala adoptions because of some kind of treaty the Guatemalan government wasn't complying with. I also saw a Dateline recently about some people buying or just taking babies from their moms and then putting them up for adoption. Heartbreaking, scary stuff.

All that being said, if they rework the program and get it going again, a reputable adoption agency will know how to make sure everything's on the up and up. The Guatemalan kids are just beautiful and there are many orphans available. The process in the past has been fast, and the babies are really young when you get them, if that's important to you. I wish you the best of luck. Adoption is a wonderful thing, but beginning the process is completely overwhelming! For what it's worth, all the adoptive families I've asked have been glad to talk about it. I think everyone wants to help out someone who's going on the same journey they've been on.

 

[chrisw127]

I also heard that foreign adoptions from Guatamala are on hold for now. Something about the Hague Treaty? I believe Vietnam is also on hold. They were very fast but more expensive. Have you considered Korea (apparently very efficient and quick and no more expensive than Guat adoptions, although their age requirement is that both parents must be under 40, I believe). When we looked into adoption, we were very interested in China, depsite the fact that the waits are very long. Despite the long waits, Chinese adoptions seem very efficient.

You can probably google a few terms (I'm sure you've done this already ) and find a bunch of blogs on the subject. Adoptive blogging moms (and dads) are very active in their community and generally willing to help those starting the process. For China adoptions, try www.salsainchina.blogspot.com Very funny mom to twin girls from china. Also, www.waitingforsopie.blogspot.com is a lovely blog with the word's cutest kid. The parents also adopted a little boy from Guat--he is adorable. He is in the states now, but there were some bumps in the road. The woman who writes the blog might be able to give you some information--she is very nice.

Good luck.

 

[Omma]

Here is an article that was in Adoptive Families Magazine regarding adoption from Guatemala.

http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/guatemala_adoption.php

All of our kiddos were adopted from S. Korea. Whatever country you feel led to I wish you all the best!

 

[mommytobug]

Adoptions are on hold from Guatemala right now. The Hague treaty is what everyone is referring to. All agencies are waiting to see what happens. This may mean that children will be older when they come home. Also, Guatemala has routinely used a foster care system for their infants a lot of the time and this may change. I did see the Dateline show but please know that reputable agencies are not "buying" children. The news always highlights the worst cases to make their story more interesting. We worked with EAC when we were going to do a Russian adoption. Call them and ask for a info pcaket. Also, check out the adoption forums and the Guatemala board. There are lots of families who have adopted and some who are caught in the middle of this "mess". Good luck. Adoption is such a blessing. I am so glad God chose adoption to complete my family. I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[Wendyloo]

We are adopting from Guatemala. We are actually waiting for our "pink slip" to go and get our 7 month old little guy! Hopefully, it will come soon!
But adoptions from Guatemala are on hold at the moment. But other countries are open and babies are coming home from other places.
We used EAC as our adoption agency as well.

Wendy

 

[Emmaline Lola]

I am adopting from China, waiting over 2 years so far, I know that there has been some questions recently about dishonest facilitators in Guatamalen (sp?) adoptions and questions if families will loose their parental rights to their children whom they have had home over a year!!!???

Don't know if this is true, but have not heard great things recently....do your research.....I have a niece and nephew who were adopted from the Phillipinnes and they are FANTASTIC kiddos!

Good luck and best wishes on your journey.....

 

[AuroraBeauty]

I have family members who adopted a boy from Guatemala in Dec. 2007. They got 'stuck' in the delay but due to health concerns for the boy a very special angel at the US State Dept. fast tracked the final paperwork so the boy could get to a hospital and have his situation addressed.

In about Aug. of 2007 the US put a hold on Guatemalan adoptions b/c it was discovered that there were 'baby mills' operating and children were being taken from their parents illegally. Another example of how one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. Now, the Guatemalan gov't and the US (especially) are trying to work out ways to ensure that the children are legally put up for adoption. For example, my family members had to pay for 3 or 4 add'l DNA tests and provide for transport and who knows what all else so the birth mother would show up and actually do the tests.

It's not any different than many other countries, but when greed takes over many innocent families get stuck in the delays. Similar to issues the US had in it's adoption processes in the 20s, 30s, 40s.

Stay positive and definitely look at the boards that focus on this topic. My family members have made wonderful friend through them as well as from all the time they spent at the hotel in GC.

Best Wishes!

 

[Aliceacc]

My son was adopted from Korea in 1999.

Probably the best advice I can give you is to go through a reputable agency. Ours was remarkable. There were absolutely no surprises at any point along the way. They were easy to work with and wonderfully supportive.

Here's their website. http://www.new-beginnings.org/ I have no idea whether they're registered in your state, but take a look at their website anyway. They can give you an idea of how the process works, which options are viable right now for international adoption, and the costs and timelines for each program. They may also be able to refer you to a reputable agency in your area.

Another recommendation: take a look at the Adoption Annex in New Hyde Park NY. It wasn't around when we were adopting, but I've heard wonderful things about it. It's a clearinghouse for adoption info.

Best wishes as you begin this journey!

 

[DisneyLeapDayBaby]

This is just my opinion with working with Guatamalan adoptions.I worked for an adoption attorney for a few years and we had alot of babies come from Guatamala. We had many success stories but more horror stories. We had families waiting for 3 years to adopt their child. They drag their feet in that country and sadly from what I remember, the agencies in that country rely too much on bribes...As long as your attorney can bribe the people in that country with a "gift" things could go smooth. Its very unfortunate.
I used to fly down to Miami and pick up the babies from the airport and fly them back home to their new parents. Many times I would fly down thinking I was picking up a baby and by that time, the baby was 3 or 4 years old. It's just so sad for the families to know they have a child in that country and they can't bring them home. It would break my heart when these parents were out buying baby clothes and making baby bedrooms and it would just take years and years for them to get that baby.
Guatamala used to be one of the easiest countries to be able to adopt from...it still is very easy, it is just a very long process to get your child.

There were success stories too! So I don't want to scare you completely. Just be careful.

They easiest adoptions we had were from Russia, unfortantely, those children/babies are in orphanges in the most awful conditions. From what I remember, you would have to fly out to Russia and spend time with the child before the adoption is finalized.

Mexico is another country where these agencies liked to be "gifted".

My advise, be careful. The lawyer I worked for used to get these parents all hyped up when they were signing that retainer agreement, and she knew it would be a very lengthy and frustrating process.

Good luck to you!!!!

 

[SandrainNC]

We had narrowed it down between Guatemala and Korea when we were researching adoption (at the time, Guatemala was still open but there was a lot of talk about the treaty thing). I just knew somehow in my heart that Korea was the right choice. They have wonderful healthcare and the babies are in foster care. And you can either go to Korea or the babies can be escorted.

Sandra

 

[DVCJEN]

This is just my opinion with working with Guatamalan adoptions.I worked for an adoption attorney for a few years and we had alot of babies come from Guatamala. We had many success stories but more horror stories. We had families waiting for 3 years to adopt their child. They drag their feet in that country and sadly from what I remember, the agencies in that country rely too much on bribes...As long as your attorney can bribe the people in that country with a "gift" things could go smooth. Its very unfortunate.
I used to fly down to Miami and pick up the babies from the airport and fly them back home to their new parents. Many times I would fly down thinking I was picking up a baby and by that time, the baby was 3 or 4 years old. It's just so sad for the families to know they have a child in that country and they can't bring them home. It would break my heart when these parents were out buying baby clothes and making baby bedrooms and it would just take years and years for them to get that baby.
Guatamala used to be one of the easiest countries to be able to adopt from...it still is very easy, it is just a very long process to get your child.

There were success stories too! So I don't want to scare you completely. Just be careful.

They easiest adoptions we had were from Russia, unfortantely, those children/babies are in orphanges in the most awful conditions. From what I remember, you would have to fly out to Russia and spend time with the child before the adoption is finalized.

Mexico is another country where these agencies liked to be "gifted".

My advise, be careful. The lawyer I worked for used to get these parents all hyped up when they were signing that retainer agreement, and she knew it would be a very lengthy and frustrating process.

Good luck to you!!!!

This issues of the past with Guatamala are why they are on hold right now. OP if you do a little research on the Hague it will give you a better understanding of the situation and help you determine if that is the right country for you.

 

[momamy]

A very good friend of mine adopted her little princess from Guatemala! She is such a sweetheart! they are still in contact with the mom and grandma! she is soooo loved!

 

[woosie]

We also have a close friend who adopted from Guatamala, about 2 years ago. She had a really great experience.

I think whatever you decide, you just need to know that it may not go as smoothly as you want, but it will all be worth it in the end. Our friend is a single, "mature" mom. She spent two years trying to adopt in Georgia (part of old USSR, not the state), and they closed that country to adoptions when she had a plane ticket in hand to pick up her daughter. She switched to Russia, and even made the first visit to the selected little one before they again hit a snag. Her adoption lawyer and agency in San Francisco helped her navigate her way to Guatamala after she though her heart could take no more, and finally, she brought little Gracie home.

Of course, now it all seems to have been for a reason.

She met the foster mother, and spent time with her, and was convinced that baby Grace was well cared for prior to finding her forever home.

You'll find the right baby too. Good luck.