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Guatemalan Procedure Update - June, 06
We've experienced some delay due to changes in the staff at the PGN. A few cases have longer delays due to new PGN procedures reguarding minor birthmoms. Minor birthmoms must appear at PGN for an additional psychological interview. Many of these cases have completed, following the delay.

When Guatemala signed the Hauge Treaty in 2003, a moratorium existed for several months. The Guatemalan Congress then declared the Hague Treaty unconstitutional and adoptions began processing again. In 2006 the United States ratified the Hague. Due to the U.S. ratification, within 18 months the regulations will be implemented. Unless Guatemalan laws are revised, international adoptions from Guatemala will stop.

According to the ADA (Asociacion Defensores De La Adopcion) Mr Ignacio Goicoechea, the Latin American liaison for the Hague Conference of International Private Law, states with the announcement of the United States that adoptions will no longer be possible if Guatemala has not implemented such Convention has brought them to the table of negotiations and to see the Convention under a different light. They have changed their position and now think there could be adoptions after the Hague Convention.

There is time to complete an adoption in Guatemala if the process starts now. So click here and start filling out your application for adoption today!


The Adoption Process: From Start to Finish
  1. Adoptive applicant(s) submit their EAC Preliminary Application for Adoption to EAC with the $200 (non-refundable) application fee.

  2. The EAC Preliminary Application Review Team assesses all applications and approves applicants based on the information found within the Preliminary Application.

  3. Upon Preliminary Application acceptance and approval, adoptive applicants are sent the EAC Guatemalan Adoption Guide and Registration Packet to insure adoptive applicants receive information on the Guatemalan adoption process and the documents and training necessary to complete an international adoption through Guatemala.

  4. You will receive an EAC Adoption Consultant/Caseworker. The Consultant/Caseworker assists adoptive applicants in completing all the necessary paperwork for a Guatemalan Dossier. The Consultant/Caseworker also provides information on the adoption process to the adoptive family.

  5. Upon Guatemalan Dossier completion, adoptive applicants submit the dossier to EAC.

  6. The dossier is reviewed at the EAC office and forwarded to the Guatemalan Consulate for authentication.

  7. Once the dossier is approved, the adoptive applicants are placed on the waiting list for a referral. The wait for a referral, after submission of dossier is 2 – 6 weeks at this time.

  8. At the time of referral, parents receive photos, medical information, and a video of their prospective child.

  9. Once the referral is accepted by the adoptive applicant, the Power of Attorney must be completed by the applicant and forwarded to Guatemala immediately in order to begin the adoption process.

  10. The attorney in Guatemala completes the adoption on behalf of the adoptive parents. The adoption is completed prior to the parents traveling to bring their child home. However, adoptive parents may need to re-adopt in the US (Check with local probate court.)

  11. Adoptive parents are encouraged to visit the child once during the adoption process.

  12. Once the adoption is complete, approximately 6 – 9 months after the acceptance of a referral, parents travel to Guatemala to bring their child home.

  13. Only one parent is required to travel, however EAC encourages adopting parents to travel.

  14. Travel is approximately 4-5 days in-country.

  15. Parents are met at the airport by an EAC English speaking representative in Guatemala. Your EAC representative escorts families to their hotel and during their time in-country, both for official business and, dinner, etc.

  16. Approximate time to complete a Guatemalan adoption from start to finish is 9 – 12 months.
©2006 EuropeanAdoptionConsultantsInc.
The Guatemala Adoption Storybook is filled with the stories, pictures and experiences of others who have adopted from the beautiful country of Guatemala.