[hopefulmommie]

Has anyone used the agency International Adoption Guides out of NC? We are thinking of using them for our Ethiopian adoption which is a very new program. I wondered if anyone has used them for a Guatemala adoption and what your experience was with them. Please pm me!
Thanks!
Rachel

[sak9645]

I do not know anything about the agency.

Let me remind you, however, that you cannot adopt from Ethiopia unless you work directly through an American agency that has received a license from the Ethiopian government to place children with Americans. If you use an agency that does not have a license, the Ethiopian government will not let you complete an adoption, and the U.S. government will not issue the child a visa to enter the U.S.

There are agencies that will tell you that you don't need a license, or that their license is expected "imminently". If you are told such a thing, run the other way immediately. If you are in doubt about whether an agency is licensed by Ethiopia, ask to see a copy of the license, or contact the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia.

I understand that some agencies without Ethiopian licensure are trying to "umbrella" with licensed agencies to conduct adoptions. As far as I know, Ethiopia has never expressed approval of umbrella-ing, and wants any agency involved in an adoption from the country to be licensed. Check this practice out carefully, as you could be putting your adoption at risk if you choose to work with an agency that works under the umbrella of another.

Sharon