[Tammy2005]

For those who are at this point, just thought this would help. Double check with your agency with all forms.

Dossier Checklist of Documents Required

for International Adoption Under the Laws of Guatemala

There are three types of documents that need to be included in a dossier. Group A are documents that you need to provide, group B documents that you need to produce based on the model given, and group C those that are issued by the State for you to complete. A Family Album* also needs to be included with the dossier.

Group A: Documents that you will provide—These documents are to be notarized, State certified, then authenticated by the Guatemalan Consulate.

1. Adoptive Home Study is the document that is issued by an adoption agency and/or licensed social worker as a result of home visit/s and any subsequent interviews.
2. Medical/Physical Report must be included for each adoptive parent issued by a physician. Otherwise, all that is needed is a simple statement from your family doctor on his/her letterhead stating that you have been examined by him/her, the findings, and that you are in good physical condition to raise a child.
3. Most recent IRS Filling. You need to send only the first few pages of the filing which contains the financial summary. You do not need to send attachments, itemized deductions, tables, etc.
4. Letter of Employment for each adoptive parent stating your position title, grade or rank, salary and length of employment. It should be written on the letterhead of the employer. If you are self-employed, have the letter written by your accountant.
   
   Group B: Documents You Will Provide Based on Models—sent to you by Welcome Home Adoptions. These documents are to be notarized, State certified, then authenticated by the Guatemalan Consulate.
   
   
5. Witness Statements - These are two specific statements which you will have to have signed by two different people (not family members). The wording must be followed very carefully.
6. Name Affidavit - Each adoptive parent will list all of their names and name combinations by which they have been known. You have to affirm that your name and nicknames used by you all refer to the same person. Be careful and list all possible names. Both adoptive parents should be able to list their names on one document.
7. Power of Attorney - This is necessary to authorize the lawyer in Guatemala to act on your behalf in certain steps of the adoption. Follow the model carefully. Do not sign or notarize this document until a specific child has been assigned to you.
   
   Group C: Documents You Will Provide that Have Been Issued by the State—Each of these documents which carry the seal of office from which they were issued, need only be authenticated by the Guatemalan Consulate nearest you to be complete.
   
   
8. Certified Birth Certificate for each adoptive parent. Must have been issued by the Office of Vital Records in the State Capital of Birth.
9. Certified Marriage Certificate also issued to you by the Office of Vital Records in the State where you were married.
10. Certified Divorce or Death Decree if you are single now but have been divorced or widowed. If you are currently married but have been previously divorced you do not need this document. Also issued by the Office of Vital Records in the state in which you were divorced or widowed.
11. Certified Police Clearance for each adoptive parent which is issued to you by your local police agency and demonstrates that you have no criminal history.

*Your Family Album: Include photographs of each adoptive parent, your house (inside and out), the baby's room (if ready), your extended family, friends, get-togethers etc. Write a description on the back of each photograph.

How to Process Documents


In order to be acceptable to the Guatemala authorities, these documents must be notarized, certified and authenticated as the process below indicates.

• Notarized Documents: Documents are witnessed by a local notary public. Make sure that your notary's signature and their official approval have the same exact name and that their license is valid.
• Certified Documents: Notarized documents are sent to the State (usually the Clerk of Court) to validate your notary's signature. Make sure each document is stamped and signed.
• Authenticated Documents: All documents must be authenticated by the Guatemalan Consulate nearest you. All your notarized and/or certified documents are sent to the nearest Guatemalan Consulate witnessing that the State Official's signature is valid. Make sure each document has a stamp and signature.

[mrsmatt051102]

Wow! Thanks so much!! That's exactly where I am right now and is such a big help!

[auntiepippi]

This is where I am too and it helps a lot! Thanks!