Adoption Agencies and Information for Guatemala
The U.S. adoption agency serves as the adopting family’s
agent, and the Guatemalan attorney serves as an agent for your adoption agency,
acting on your behalf. Adoptions by U.S. citizen parents in Guatemala are
processed under a “notarial system.” Guatemalan attorneys receive
and refer potential orphans to parents desiring to adopt a child. If the parents
accept the referral, they will provide the attorney with a power of attorney to
act on their behalf to complete an adoption.
Guatemala Fast Facts: In 2006 there were approximately 4,200
Guatemalan children adopted with 51% being female and approximately 75% under
1 year of age.
CONTACTING THE U.S. EMBASSY:
Specific questions about your Guatemalan adoption at the Embassy
may be addressed by fax, or e-mail to the Immigrant Visa Unit of the Consular
Section or to ICE. Please refer to page 1 for division of responsibilities between
the two offices. The Immigrant Visa Unit of the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy
may be reached by:
Email: adoptguatemala@state.gov
Mail at: Immigrant Visas/Adoption Unit
U.S. Embassy Guatemala
Unit 3308
APO, AA 34024
There are literally hundreds of U.S. based adoption agencies
that help families adopt from Guatemala. These adoption agencies conduct
anywhere from a few placements to several hundred placements every year.
But bigger is not always better. The most important factors for an adopting
family to consider are not how many children the adoption agencies place, but
are they a fully licensed agency, are they non-profit, and do they deliver the
kind of individual attention you deserve and may desire. Below I have listed
a few adoption agencies to help you get started. With the exception of the
agency I direct, Adoption
Services, Inc., the adoption agencies below were selected in a rather random
fashion from the list of adoption agencies who are members of the JCICS.
While I would love to have you call and work with Adoption
Services Guatemalan Adoption Program, I suggest you not only call us but several
other adoption agencies as well. Make the calls, ask your questions, see
if you are getting the type of attention you deserve, and then make your selection.
For more information about adoption from this
country and about adoption agencies that can assist you, please visit the websites
below. Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any of
the adoption agencies they plan to use for adoption services. | 
