[lgillespie]

My husband and I really want to adopt an infant---we have been thoroughly encouraged to go internationally and have been told Guatemala may be the best bet......then we talk to others who say by the time we get a child from Guatemala he/she will be at least a year old.

We are very confused and overwhelmed with the process. Can you actually adopt an infant? We appreciate any advice/answers you can give us! Thanks so much!

[crathke]

Absolutely you can adopt an infant! In some cases babies are placed in foster care within days of their birth. Guatemala is generally much "faster" than some other countries (although they have their 'issues', too) and it is entirely possible for you to bring a baby home in a short period of time.

Guatemalan foster homes, hogars and orphanages take wonderful care of their children; the kids are healthy and well-cared for. I would recommend Guatemala to anyone!

I suggest you check out the photolistings at www.precious.org and www.rainbowkids.com. People are of two minds regarding photolistings (pro- and con-), but I found them to be a wonderful resource in terms of getting an idea of what my child might look like. I was amazed at the young ages of some of the kids!

[Cindy T]

Ditto!!

We specifically chose Guatemala so we could adopt an infant!! Do your homework and check out as many agencies as possible. Also check to see if there's someone you know who has adopted and can give you a reference. Keep your eyes peeled on this board...many have had good experiences, others not as good. A good agency will help you every step of the way and provide you guidance in the paperwork process (as well as moral support during the longer waiting periods).

It's a long process, true, but from what I hear, it's all worth it in the end. We are dossier ready and waiting for clearance from INS to obtain a referral. We started our process end of Dec '02.

Best of luck to you!!

Cindy

[Debpara03]

My husband and I are adopting a baby in Guatemala. We have a great agency, I hope.... But we started the process in February, 2003. We have INS approval, 1/2 of our dossier is in Guatemala and the half will be there next week. All we are waiting on is a referral. What we have been told a little girl should be born next week. We are keeping our fingers crossed. If you have any questions, please do not hestitate to contact me.

Debbie

[becky]

If you have all of your paperwork complete (dossier) and your INS approval before you accept a referral then it is quite possible to bring home a baby in the 4-6 month age range. Assuming you work with a good agency who uses excellent attorneys in Guatemala, then you should be able to bring home an infant.

The entire process (if you work quickly through your part) can take less than one year.

There are currently issues in Guatemala with the Hague Treaty and no one knows for sure how things will end up. But up until this point bringing home an infant was definitely possible.

Good Luck...and it is so worth it...I am the mom to 4 beautiful biological children and one stunning Guatemala beauty named Bella!!

[Kristin Cheek]

Let me say that even though you really want a newborn, that our son was 8 months old when we brought him home. He was at a perfect stage in his development where we didn't have the 2:00am feedings, but have been able to see him get his first teeth, walk, and say his first words. Each day is a precious gift, and we wouldn't have changed a thing. He was 3 months old when we received our referral, and we were thrilled. Just remember that even though the baby you bring home may not be a newborn, they will be your precious baby, and that is all that matters in the world!

God Bless!
Kris

[Moop]

Just found out today that because of the Hague treaty and because i have not started my paperwork yet, that if I adopt from Guatamala the baby will probably be 1 to 1.5 years old by the time we get him home. I was hoping for an infant. I guess I will have to rethink this.

Angela

[bennett]

if you use a good agency with good lawyers
you can get your dossier over there and get a referal
within a couple months
a hs agency will work fast for you if you ask her to
you can hand carry the paperwork to get it
authenticated...

right now everything is gonig along in guatemala
i just read a lady who only had a week in pgn
which means they are working fast to get the adoptions
out .
alot of agencies are not giving referals but some are...
some have many infants as we speak...

also..read up on the hauge...some of the articles
are very encouraging...

good luck

[Moop]

Thanks for the info. But have to yet determine what is a good agency. The agency I was fixin to send my application to is the one that told me that the child would probably 1 to 1.5 years old by the time I got him home. So confused here!!!

Angela

[crathke]

Angela--that doesn't mean the agency you spoke with isn't a "good" agency; ours originally told us to expect 12-18 months...then they said "about a year"--then "nine to 12 months" and we brought Aaron home within six. The process is so fluid that it's impossible to nail down. Your agency may be trying to make sure you aren't expecting something they can't control.

[Moop]

we want to name our child "Aaron". I love that name.

[bennett]

well..check better business bureau for one

and ..ask how many kids have been adopted in the last
year..

shows you activity...some are better with certain countries

i spoke to guatemala lawyers myself

and got updates from them...

also..you can ask the agency for references...

i got my dossier and reference in three months

now i will see how long it takes from here
that depends on the lawyers at this point...

[becky]

Angela,

I would begin looking for another agency. Even with the Hague, 1.5 years may be a bit longer than what most agencies would tell you.

If I were you, I would begin the homestudy, INS, and dossier preparation. Maybe by the time you are ready to receive a referral things in Guatemala will be settled somewhat. You do not have to choose an agency until you are ready for a referral...you have time. Hopefully the court case will be settled and everything will go back to normal and babies will be able to be home by 4-6 months of age.

Good Luck,