[mvcv2001]

Hi,
I am new to this forum (I just found it tonight), so please excuse me if I am asking something simple or off the wall. My husband and I are moving to Central America next summer for his job and will be living there for at least two years. While we are living in either Costa Rica or Guatemala (job hasn't determined location yet), we want to adopt. Does anyone know what is involved with doing an international adoption (from any Central American country) while living Internationally (in Guatemala or Costa Rica)? We don't even know where to begin. There is a lot of information on International adoption for U.S. Citizens living in the U.S., but we are finding it hard to locate information for our upcoming situation. We believe it has to be cheaper since we will be living where we will be adopting (it is only one hour plane ride between Costa Rica and Guatemala - longest travel scenario).
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Bassette]

OK I'm stumped and really don't have much to offer that is solid information. I do have a contact that can answer your questions and may even give you the hook ups if you land in Guatemala. I will PM the info.

I suggest reaching out to other international adoption forums such as China and Russia, where members are active. The basics of what you are asking, how to adopt as US citizen while living abroad, can be answered by anyone who has done this regardless of country. I'm sure there are *particulars* that will vary in the process depending on the country program you select, but alot of it would apply.

When you discover answers to your questions it would be great if you would post an update. It would be archived to help future families in researching their adoption options. Speaking of which,.....have you searched the forum archives? I know I have read another inquiry to this or similar situation and of the life of me can't remember to which forum it was posted. I may just have to investigate if you don't get information replies to this post.

Good luck to you and I wish that I could be of more help. I did receive your PM by the way. Please don't hesitate to contact me again if you become lost, need support etc. Best wishes and >>>HUG<<<.

[Dee_ders]

We currently live in the Middle East (are originally from CA) and are in the process of adopting from Guatemala.

For us we are using a laywer that works with ex-pat families. I don't think it is costing us any more or any less. Well, that's not true because our travel will cost us A LOT more LOL. Sometimes I think the paperchase was easier and other times a little more wait if we had something coming from the US.

If you would like any more info feel free to PM me!

Dee Dee

[Devora]

I can't answer your question about HOW to do it, but I can tell you you CAN do it. When I lived in Japan I knew a number of U.S. citizens who adopted children (from Korea) while living abroad.

So, you can do it -- I'm just not sure of how. I think it would be a good question to ask a placement agency. They might have experience with this kind of situation, or at least have some idea where to go for an answer.

Best wishes,
Devora