September 7, 2007 – After much thought and discussion, Buckner has decided that it will no longer accept new applications for its Guatemala adoption program. The agency has decided to take this temporary measure in an effort to prepare for the effects The Hague Convention on intercountry adoptions may have on the future of Guatemala adoptions.
For those families who may not be familiar with The Hague Treaty, it is an international treaty that “sets minimum international standards and procedures for adoptions that occur between implementing countries to ensure greater protection from exploitation of children, birth parents, and adoptive parents alike.”
Buckner works extensively in government and private orphanages in Guatemala. In 2003, Buckner formed a partnership with the Social Welfare Department, and in 2004, Buckner began an adoption program in Guatemala.
More than 70 percent of the population of Guatemala lives below the poverty level. There are infants, toddlers and older children of Ladino and Mayan descent who would greatly benefit by being placed in a permanent family.
In Guatemala, Buckner staff will work to identify children legally available for adoption from private-run orphan homes and will work with birth mothers who want to make an adoption plan for their children. Buckner works with a Guatemalan attorney to handle the legal processing of the adoption thorough the Guatemalan court system.
Children available for adoption in our Guatemala program:
• Single children and sibling groups
• Specific children ages 3 and older
• Some children with special needs
- Inquiry Phase
- Pre-Application and questionnaire approval
- Workshop
- Formal Application
- Education
- Home study
- USCIS approval
- Adoption Seminar
- Dossier completion
- Dossier is sent to Guatemala
- Dossier is legalized and translated
- Referral is presented to parents
- Children’s case and parents dossier is submitted to family court
- Social worker conducts a social-economic study on child
- Judge approves study
- Family’s paperwork is submitted to the U.S. Embassy for Pre-approval
- Family’s paperwork is submitted to PGN, Central Authority for final adoption approval
- Child’s birth certificate is revised to reflect adoptive parent’s name
- A Passport is acquired for child
- Family’s approval, child’s birth certificate and passport is re-submitted to Embassy for visa appointment
- Visa appointment is issued
- Family travels to country
- Travel to orphanage
- Meets child
- Participate in cultural activities
- Embassy medicals
- Goes to Embassy interview
- Acquires Visa
- Post-placement services
Age
Couples and single applicants must be at least 25 years of age. The difference in the child’s age and that of the parents should be no more than 45 years.
Marital Status
Married couples and single female applicants (on a case by case basis) are accepted. Couples must have been married a minimum of one year if it is their first marriage and at least two years if there has been more than one marriage for either spouse.
Children in Family
When considering adding single children or a sibling group to a family, it is Buckner policy that there be no more than six total children under the age of 18 living in the home after the adoption is complete. Larger families will be reviewed on a case by case basis after their home study is complete.
Faith
In recognizing the need for a child to be nurtured in a loving Christian home, applicants must be Christians and active members of a church in their community.
• Both parents must travel.
• There is one trip required to Guatemala that lasts only five to seven days in which the family goes to pick up the child.
• The adoption is finalized without requiring the family to attend a court hearing.
• It is possible for the family to travel on a separate trip to meet the child before the court hearing.
• Buckner staff in Guatemala will arrange all in-country logistics.
• Parents will have the opportunity to visit the orphanage where their children lived and meet his/her caregivers and friends.
• Parents will learn about child’s culture and country.
Fee Sheet (.pdf - .doc)
- The follow up reports, as well as pictures, are required for Guatemala at:
a) Six months after placement
b) One year after placement
c) Two years after placement
Monthly medical and progress reports are required for Buckner during the first six months of post adoption support. The following is the required number of face to face contacts Buckner will make with families during this six month period, depending on the needs of the child and/or family:
- Infants to 2 years: two visits
- Children 2 years to 15 years: monthly visits for the first six months
