Midland International Adoption Group
Covering Counties Laois, Offaly, Westmeath & Longford.
Guatemala.
The following is an overview of an adoption from Guatemala.
The couple decided to avail of the service of an agency called VIDA, based in New York. Their initial fee to join is $250.
Once you have received your declaration your documents must be stamped - Notary Public. It is important that you employ someone who knows the process relating to Guatemala. The documents must then get a stamp of approval at the Supreme Court. The Department of Foreign Affairs also stamp your documents before they are sent to the Guatemalan Embassy in London. Once you receive your documents back they are forwarded to VIDA. The Birth Mother is given three opportunities to relinquish her rights to the child before the adoption is final. There are three court appearances - VIDA will contact you when you are required to travel. At the last court appearance, the Birth Mother will finally relinquish her rights to the child. Once you obtain the birth certificate and passport you are free to return home. The process takes approx 5 days to complete.
Children as young as 7/8 months are available for adoption. Normal medical tests are completed at the hospital including DNA testing. When they are born, they are cared for by a foster family. You will incur the costs of this foster care. The child is normally brought to the hotel to you by the foster family. Many local people visit the hotel to sell their products and you can buy items for the purpose of telling your child their life story, history and culture.
If you decide to return to Ireland via USA, you will need to apply for a VISA.
The total cost can vary depending on flights, accommodation, gifts, etc.... The agency fee was $25,000. Flights were approx $2,500 with accommodation approx $1000. All in all the cost can be approx $30,000.
More information can be obtained by contacting VIDA - Email: mailto<VIDAADOPT@aol.com> or by phone - 001518 8284527.
Once the legal process is complete in Guatemala, the child is recognised as being legally adopted in that country, but on arrival back to Ireland you must begin the legal process with the Irish Adoption Board to finalise the adoption. Post Placement reports are required at three month intervals until the child is two years of age.