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Site Updated
7/15/08
Adopting a Child from Guatemala
ALW is temporarily not accepting new applications for Guatemala.


Who Can Adopt?
Couples and singles between ages 25 and 55 may apply. Couples must be married for at least 1 year.

Who Are the Children?
ALW has been working in Guatemala since 2002. In this program, we coordinate with
both orphanages and adoption attorneys to receive referrals of children in need of adoption. The children are well cared for and the majority of the children display minimal developmental delays. ALW needs families to adopt infants of either gender, although families open to adopting boys wait significantly less time for a referral. The infants are between 6-12 months of age at the time of placement. There are also toddler and older children who are waiting for forever families.

Infant from Guatemala Infant from Guatemala Infant from Guatemala
How Long Is the Process?
Referrals for boys are received 1-3 months after the paperwork arrives in Guatemala. Referrals for girls are made 3-5 months after paperwork arrives in Guatemala. Children can be as young as a few days old at the time of referral. With a referral, adoptive parents receive a photo and minimal medical information. We urge parents to carefully consider this information before deciding whether or not to accept this child. “Child Acceptance” occurs after you have reviewed all available information. Families will travel to Guatemala to bring the child home approximately 6-12 months later. Travel is required for at least 1 parent and is roughly 5-7 days in country. Post Placement Supervision is required after the child comes home. Get more information on these services

What Is the Process & Fee Structure?

Orphanage Care Foster Family Care
Apply with ALW $100 $100
Adoptive Parent Training $225 $225
Home Study $1,300 $1,300
Apply with CIS
(Immigration fee:I-600-A = $670 + $80/adult in the home)
$830 $830
Agency Program Fee $2,890 $2,890
Complete Dossier
(Estimate: you will be billed the actual cost)
$1,000 $1,000
Child Acceptance
Foreign Program: 1st Payment
$10,000* $12,400*
(legal fees & 4 mo.
of foster care)
DNA $470 $470
Foreign Program: 2nd Payment $12,200* $9,500* +
$600/ month above the 4 mo. previously paid
Travel Varies** Varies**
Post Placement $500*** $500***
Total (+ travel and accomodations) $29,515 $29,225
(+ additonal foster care)
*These fees are not set by, or paid to ALW and may change without notice.
**Travel to Guatemala and in country travel and accommodations are the responsibility of the family.
***Please review our Post Placement Services.
Most cases are completed within six months. However if a case goes longer than six months, $600 per month is charged (beyond six months) for foster care for your child.

There are a lot of changes occurring in Guatemala adoptions right now.  Please read the information below on the Hague Convention to help learn more about the current situation in Guatemala. If you are interested in pursuing an adoption from Guatemala, please contact ALW for additional information.

Guatemala children

What do I do next?Other Programs at a Glance

The Hague and Intercountry Adoption Act
The goal of The Hague is to protect children and families involved in intercountry or international adoption. It provides standardized regulations for every country that ratifies it and allows for greater transparency in the adoption process. Countries that ratify The Hague will follow its regulations when working with other countries that also ratified The Hague. Its implications for international adoptions are very significant.

Adoption Links Worldwide is the only Nebraska-based agency seeking the accreditation of The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

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