The Guatemala program is closed at this time.  The government of Guatemala is working to comply with the requirements of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.  It is estimated that the program will re-open later this year.  Please click here to learn more about The Hague Convention and its' impact on intercountry adoption.  If you would like to be placed on an e-mail list to receive news of Guatemala's progress toward implementation of The Hague and re-opening, please click here.

Guatemala is a small country located in Central America, South of Mexico and North of El Salvador and Honduras. It is approximately the size of the state of Tennessee and has a population of approximately 12.6 million people. Guatemala is comprised of peoples of Mayan descent and those of mixed Mayan and Spanish descent. The official language of Guatemala is Spanish. Approximately 65% of Guatemalan people are extremely impoverished and many families cannot care for their children. Typically, children are voluntarily relinquished, usually as newborns. Foster mothers provide care for the children from the time of relinquishment by the birthmother and until the adoption decree is issued.

Program History: Guatemala has been a popular country for international adoptions, and the number of children adopted has increased dramatically the past few years. There are several reasons for this. First, the Guatemalan government has been very supportive of international adoption. Second, the requirements are reasonably straightforward, and the adoption process has been quite predictable. Third, the number of infants needing a family has continued to rise. For 16 years, the country of Guatemala has been one of the top countries placing children with U.S. citizens. In 2005 nearly 4,000 children joined their families in the United States. There is a tremendous need for loving families for waiting children who often come into the care of, primarily due to poverty.

The Children Who Need Families: While a few older children are occasionally available, most of the children needing families are between several weeks and 6 months old.  We ask that families be open to a child anywhere in this age range.  The children are typically born to poor single women, many of whom live in the rural areas of Guatemala. When economic circumstances make it impossible to care for a child, it is common for many birth mothers to make the decision to relinquish the child. This is often done early in their pregnancy and when it occurs, the expectant mother is usually given a medical exam and provided with regular care until birth. Immediately after birth, the newborn is typically placed in foster care until the adoption process can be completed. The vast majority of the children are of a mixed "mestizo" ethnic background, usually a combination of Spanish and Mayan Indian. At the time of child assignment, a photograph (s) and general health report are typically provided. Both boys and girls are available for adoption; however there have been more boys available than girls.

Health of the Children: Overall, the health of the infants adopted from Guatemala has been considered to be very good when compared to the health of children available for international adoption from many other countries. The fact that the birthmother often receives pre-natal care is believed to contribute to the general health of the infants. Additionally, most of the newborns are immediately placed with foster families, thus providing them with proper nutrition, a caring family, and regular medical attention. And since children are typically under the age of eight months at the time the adoption is final, they usually adapt readily to an adoptive family.

La Vida’s Representation in Guatemala: La Vida’s own representative travels regularly to Guatemala to oversee the program, and to ensure the highest standards of foster care and medical attention, as well as the efficient handling of administrative matters. La Vida currently works with five very reputable attorneys in Guatemala, each of whom is very experienced in the field of international adoption. These attorneys handle all aspects of the adoption in Guatemala, including all paperwork, translations, required medical and DNA testing, and coordination with the Guatemalan Social Services Administration, the Procuraduria General de la Nacion, or "PGN" (Solicitor General), the Interior Department, and the U.S. Embassy.

Family Eligibility: Married couples and single females are eligible for adoption from Guatemala. At least one parent must be 25 years of age. In the case of a married couple, the youngest spouse must also be over age 21. Families with other children are welcome to apply. While the process is quite open, the Guatemalan officials consider, on a case-by-case basis, those prospective adoptive parents who are over the age of 55 and those with two-or-more divorces. If you are over 55 or have been divorced twice or more, you still may qualify for the program; however, additional documentation, time, and costs may be required to secure the necessary authorizations.

Family Income Guidelines: There are no minimum income requirements, however families must be financially stable and able to meet the needs of a child(ren). As with any international adoption, a family's income must be sufficient to satisfy U.S. state and federal governmental requirements.

Overview of the Guatemalan Adoption Process: Completing an international adoption from Guatemala involves multiple tasks performed here in the United States followed by travel for a short trip to the foreign country to complete your adoption. La Vida and its representatives will guide you step by step through each of the tasks briefly outlined below.

1.  Complete a La Vida application. Upon receipt of your application, we will review it and generally notify you of your eligibility within 1 to 2 business days.

2.  Complete an application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). La Vida will provide this application to you, guide you in its'  completion, review and file it for you, and continue to monitor processing on your behalf.

3.  Complete a home study. A home study report is a requirement of your state of residence, the USCIS, and the country from which you adopt. If you reside in Pennsylvania, La Vida can complete your home study. If you live outside of Pennsylvania, we can help you to identify an acceptable state licensed home study agency and we can work in cooperation with your agency to ensure that the home study will meet US federal requirements and those of the Guatemalan government.

4.  Prepare an application for the foreign country, also known as a "dossier". La Vida will guide you every step of the way with comprehensive instructions, samples, and staff support. La Vida will certify and authenticate your dossier documents and your application will then be sent to our Guatemalan representative.

5.  Within 3 to 4 months, a child assignment should be made, at which time you typically receive a photo(s) and medical information about your child.

6.  Once you have been assigned and accepted a child, the Guatemalan attorney will work with the birth parent(s), child, foster parent(s), governmental offices, court system, and the child welfare system in Guatemala. These efforts include obtaining DNA results, the termination of the birth parent's parental rights, preparation of paperwork, completion of the adoption (by proxy), overseeing the health and welfare of the child, and preparing for your trip to Guatemala. During this time you will receive updates and photos of your child approximately every 4 to 6 weeks.

7.  Approximately 6 to 10 months later we will contact you to let you know that the necessary work done in Guatemala is complete and that you may travel. 

8.  You travel to Guatemala for 3-4 days to receive your child and obtain a visa for him or her to travel to the U.S.

* If special circumstances exist with your application (such as older ages, more divorces, etc.), some additional time might be necessary to determine family  eligibility in light of Guatemala regulations and practices.

Time Frames: In general a "dossier" can be completed in approximately 4 to 5 months. From completion of the dossier, a child referral is generally received within up to 3 to 4 months.  Referrals of boys are usually received more quickly than girls.  Travel usually can occur between 6 and 10 months later.

Travel Requirements and In-country Arrangements: Upon receiving and accepting the assignment of your child, travel to Guatemala by at least one parent is highly recommended. We believe that it is important to personally see your child and to experience the child's heritage. This visit may occur anytime after the child assignment and completion of DNA or it may occur when it is time to bring the child home to the US (after the adoption is complete).

Although an escort of your child (to the U.S.) is permitted, we strongly recommend that you travel to Guatemala to bring the child home and complete the U.S. immigration processing. Families typically only need to spend 3-4 days in Guatemala. La Vida will assist you with air and hotel reservations. On arrival in Guatemala, you will be met at the airport by an English-speaking representative, who will accompany you throughout your stay in Guatemala, including your visit to the Embassy. Most families elect to stay in hotels near the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City. Children and friends or relatives are always welcome to accompany you on your trip.  Should your family choose to utilize an escort, the fee is $3,000.

You may consider traveling to the country during the waiting time (between the child assignment and the final approval by the PGN), as well as for the U.S. immigration processing to allow the child to enter the U.S. If both parents have seen your child in Guatemala prior to the adoption being finalized by the Guatemalan authorities, your child will receive an "IR-3" Visa to enter the U.S.; and your child will automatically obtain U.S. Citizen upon entry to the U.S. (by operation of law).

If both parents have not personally seen and observed the child prior to the adoption being finalized in Guatemala and if at least one parent does not travel to Guatemala to receive the child, your child will be issued an "IR-4" Visa. This classification of visa will allow permanent residency status in the U.S., but not automatic citizenship by operation of law. Shortly after your return, you can re-adopt the child in your home state or in Montgomery County, PA (La Vida’s location) and then apply for U.S. Citizenship on behalf of your child.

Post Placement Requirements: La Vida requires 2 post placement visits which take place approximately 1 month and 6 months after your return home.

Program Fees: The estimated overall cost of the Guatemala adoption program is as low as just over $25,000 plus ancillary service costs for home study, post placement, USCIS processing and document certification and authentication.  Travel costs are minimal.  La Vida offers a fee reduction in the amount of $1,250 for families who have previously adopted internationally.  Please click here to download the current Guatemala Program fee schedule.

• Few parent eligibility restrictions compared to many other countries' requirements.

• The adoptions are arranged through experienced private attorneys who often are able to more efficiently process an adoption.

• DNA testing is performed on the birth mother and child to ensure transparency in the adoption process and that the placing mother is the child’s actual birth mother.

• The health of the children may be positively affected due to the use of foster care prior to placement with your family.

• The process is relatively fast compared with many other international adoption programs.

• The children are typically younger at the time of placement than the ages of children from many other countries.

• Travel to the foreign country is relatively short and very affordable.

• The ability to travel to visit your child during the wait, and before the adoption processing has been completed, is possible and affordable.

How Do I Begin the Adoption Process?:  To begin the process of adoption from Guatemala please download, print, complete a La Vida application and send it to us.  There is no application fee and the application may be downloaded by clicking here.  You may also request our information packet which contains an application by clicking here.  Your packet will be sent the day of your request or the next business day.

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