[RaTJ+Aaron]

Hi. My name is Rachel. I've got a 7 month old bio son named Aaron. I live in New Jersey, anyway, my husband and I have decided to adopt our next child. Originally, we were going to adopt from Korea, but with all that's happening there, we decided to look into other programs. I'm just beginning the research process all over again and now I'm looking into Guatemala. Any information on the process would be deeply appreciated.

[riverview]

PM me , I am in PGN and have a great agency.

[mommytoEli]

Lurk on these boards a bit, check out www.guatadopt.com, and jcics.org for the latest info on Guat adoption. If you are looking for a stable program....this may not be it with the impending hague, however, our children are beautiful . In the meantime, welcome. If you have any questions, post away....everyone here is soooo helpful and supportive.

[dspakowsky]

Welcome!

[RaTJ+Aaron]

Just out of curiosity, what is PGN?

[Rhody]

Welcome.
PGN is the agency in Guatemala that signs off on all adoptions. I've heard it equated with the Attorney General's office.
It is also the part of the process that seems to experience the most delays.

[Alexismandyjr]

PGN stands for Procuraduria General de la Nacion -- roughly equivalent to the national Attorney General's office. After the Family Court reviews and approves/recommends an adoption, the FC paperwork is joined by the US Embassy authorization and review/approval of the adoption and DNA testing, and it all goes to PGN for review. Once the PGN reviews and agrees to the adoption, it issues the orders or declarations that terminate the birth family's rights, make the child legally yours and change the child's last name to a version of yours.
Around that point there's the final birthmother signoff (if it's a relinquishment case) and the issuance of a new Birth Register (Birth Certificate). Then the lawyer can apply for a passport, then for an appointment for the exit physical by a US Embassy-approved MD before the VISA is applied for from the US Embassy.

***PGN has nothing to do with the INS (unless your case is awaiting pre-PGN embassy approval, but usually the case is not submitted to PGN until after that is done).


HOPE THIS HELPS!