September 2007

The issue of Guatemala's becoming compliant with the Hague Convention on inter country adoption is something they must fully address in the next few months.  It is possible that delays in completing placements from Guatemala will occur as the date of Hague implementation (early 2008) approaches.  Please inquire of our staff for updated information.

Adoption Requirements
In terms of applicants, this program is more flexible than many others: Couples must be married at least 3 years.  The minimum age is 23 years and the maximum age is 45 years for the younger spouse- no more than 100 years total for the combined ages of both spouses.  Single women may apply (ages 26-45 years old) . Previous divorce is acceptable. Infertility is not required. There is also no limit on the number of children already in your home.

We seek applicants with an active Christian faith. A reference from your Pastor/Priest will be required in the application process.

Because the initial time of bonding with your child is so crucial, we require that one parent stay at home to care for the child for at least 60 days, beginning when your child joins your family. Spouses may alternate time off to reach the 60 days.

While travel is encouraged by one or both adoptive parents,  ESCORT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.

How does the Guatemala program work?
Completing both application packets from Love Basket, and a Home Study in your state of residence, gets the process moving. Once you have an approved Home Study, and you have received INS approval, we will work together with you to prepare your foreign court dossier.

After receiving INS approval and when you have a valid U.S. passport, you are ready for child referral! The length of your wait to child referral averages 0-6 months. You will receive photos, perhaps video footage, a medical summary, lab test results, and any social/medical history we have for that child. We strongly recommend that you review this information with a medical professional (preferably one familiar with children adopted internationally) to help you evaluate the information you have received.

Once you accept a referral, and your dossier has arrived in Guatemala, you can expect to travel to meet and bring your child home in approximately 7-12 months.

How old are most of the children adopted from Guatemala?
Children may be as young as 1 month of age at the time of referral, depending on the child’s legal situation. However, the average age at the time of referral will most likely be 2-4 months of age (unless your request is for an older child.) 

What can we specify about our prospective adoptive child?
You can tell us the age range and sex of the child you wish to adopt. You can tell us whether or not you would accept a sibling group. You can also specify handicaps you will accept (if any). Keep in mind that the broader the age range you will accept, or if you are comfortable adopting either a boy or girl, the quicker the referral of a child may be.

Post Placement
Guatemala requires simple reports that you can prepare at home and send to Love Basket at 1, 3, 6, 9, & 12 months after your child’s placement with you.

 

Item	Fee Amount	When Due
Application Packets I ($95) and II ($445)	$590	To LB with applications
Stateside Processing Fee	$5,000	To LB with dossier
Child Care/Orphanage Fees/Legal Fees in Guatemala	$18,000	To LB when you accept a referral
DNA Testing in Guatemala (required by US embassy)	$700	To LB when you accept a referral
Estimated Total Adoption Fees	$24,290
Child’s Medical Exam in Guatemala	$100	Paid to Medical Clinic—Guatemala
Child’s U.S. Entry Visa	$380	Paid to U.S. Embassy—Guatemala
Approximate Travel to Guatemala (for 2 people)	$1,000 - 2,000	Paid to travel agency/airline
Approximate Lodging in Guatemala (for 3 nights)	$150 - 450	Paid by AP’s during stay.
In-Country Translator/Transportation (for 3 days)	$300	Paid by AP’s during stay.
ESTIMATED TOTALS—Adoption + Travel	$25,270- $27,470
If adopting second child (Does not include travel/in-country expenses)	To Be Determined	As per above schedule.
Love Basket Home Study*(Fee includes 100 miles round trip. Additional mileage charged at $.445/mi.)	$1,250	To LB at final home visit
Love Basket Application Update	$195	To LB with application
Love Basket Home Study Update*	$795	To LB at final home visit
Love Basket Post-Placement Home Visit	$300 plus travel	Per home visit

*This is the fee for a Home Study/Update by a Love Basket Adoption Caseworker. If the Home Study/Update is completed by another agency, Love Basket will review it for a fee of $125.

What is not Included in the Child Placement Fee?
Fees not a part of the Placement Fee include but are not limited to the following: Fees for adoptive parent medical and lab tests, fees to your local home study/post placement provider, notary and state level certification fees for your foreign court documents, Immigration and Naturalization fees prior to and following adoptive placement, and attorney fees in your state of residence when you readopt your child and obtain a U.S. birth certificate and automatic citizenship.

Contact person: Laurie Bollinger LaurieB@LoveBasket.org
 

Love Basket Inc. 10306 Business 21 Hillsboro, MO 63050
Phone 636.797.4100 Fax 636.789.4978 Info@LoveBasket.org

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