Spence-Chapin Services International Adoption: Guatemala

In cooperation with the Guatemalan government and the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, Spence-Chapin works within a private sector adoption system with safeguards that prevent fraudulent practices. Birth mothers are active participants throughout the adoption process. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala and the Guatemalan Attorney General's Office require DNA testing of all birth mothers and their babies. Each birth mother is also interviewed by a social worker assigned by the Guatemalan family court to ensure that she understands and is comfortable with her adoption decision. Cases are approved by the Guatemalan attorney general's office before the birth mother signs the writ of adoption. In the interim, children are cared for in family foster homes arranged by the attorney and receive regular medical care.

Guatemala and the Hague:

For more information on the current situation in Guatemala surrounding the ratification of the Hague Treaty on Intercountry Adoption see the U.S. Deparment of State's web site Hague posting as well as the FAQ page.

Hague Posting | FAQs

Program Requirements and Specifics

At least one prospective parent must be a U.S. citizen to be able to sponsor a child to enter the country.
There may be other children in the adoptive family.
Two short trips (approximately 3 days each) are required.
Spence-Chapin requires that both parents travel to Guatemala on the first trip. One parent may remain in the U.S. for the second.
Applicants should not have a criminal record and must be in good physical and mental health.
Healthy married couples and single women may apply. The age of prospective parents is flexible.

From Referral to Homecoming

Children are usually referred shortly after birth. When a child is referred, you will receive basic information, including results from a medical checkup with laboratory results of bloodwork, as well as photos of the baby. Minimal information about the birth mother is provided. After you accept your child's referral, you will make two short trips to Guatemala — one to meet your child prior to the adoption finalization in court and the second to bring your child home.

Out-of-State Families

Spence-Chapin welcomes families from all areas of the country to adopt through our international adoption program in Guatemala. Families outside our geographic region will work with an agency in their local area in addition to Spence-Chapin. Networking benefits families by allowing them to work with Spence-Chapin's well-established international placement program in Guatemala while maintaining in-person contact with and direct service from a social worker in their local area. Spence-Chapin collaborates with other high-quality and reputable adoption agencies to help families complete all steps of the adoption process. For more information about networking and a list of Spence-Chapin network agencies, please contact our International Inquiry Coordinator at 212-400-8150.

Cost Guidelines

Spence-Chapin has a sliding fee for the services provided by the agency, based on the applicant's adjusted gross income. For those working with networking agencies, Spence-Chapin charges a flat fee which is separate from any fees charged by the local agency.

When adopting internationally, the sending country assesses fees separate from Spence-Chapin's service fee. Please contact us for specific information about Guatemala's fees. Additionally, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service and some states assess fees, including those for fingerprinting. When you travel to Guatemala, you will incur costs for airfare, hotel, food and incidental expenses. For suggestions about making adoption more affordable, please see our information in Affording Adoption.

Celebration for Los Niños

Every Spring, Spence-Chapin hosts a party for children adopted from Latin America and those adopted domestically through our Hispanic Adoption Program. Families come together to celebrate with traditional food, crafts and entertainment and to share their experiences with each other. Children get an opportunity to explore their common heritage. For information about this year's celebration, please contact Heather at 212-360-0274 or hluboff@spence-chapin.org.