Adoption Process

There are four main steps to the Guatemalan adoption process: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), home study, dossier preparation, and referral and in-country adoption process.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The first step is to submit the AHH Application. After your application is approved, you will file the I-600A (application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition) with the USCIS office in your state of residence. Your Family Advocate will advise you on the details of this process.

Your local USCIS office can be found under Federal Government in the blue pages of your phone book or by visiting the USCIS web site. Once you have applied with AHH, we will provide you with the necessary forms you need for your USCIS application.  We recommend waiting until you have had an orientation with your Family Advocate before beginning any adoption paperwork.

Home Study
A home study is a report required by USCIS, your state, and adoption officials in Guatemala verifying that you are suitable to be a parent(s) of an adopted child and can provide the stability and home environment that a child needs. It also is a time for you to learn about some of the special concerns that are inherent in international adoption. It consists of at least four face-to-face interviews and a home visit by an AHH Social Worker, or (in the cases of families living in states other than KY) a social worker who is qualified to complete a home study in your state.  If you do not live in Kentucky your Family Advocate will assist you in locating a reputable agency near you to do your home study.

Dossier Preparation
After talking with your Family Advocate to learn the specific parameters and requirements for each of these documents, you will complete and collect the following items. All of the documents must be originals.

• Home study;
• Medical/physical report;
• Most recent IRS filing;
• Employment letter;
• Two witness statements;
• Name affidavit;
• Three letters of reference;
• Certified police clearance;
• Notarized copy of passport pages;
• Power of attorney;
• I-600 USCIS form;
• Certified birth certificate;
• Certified marriage certificate; and
• Certified divorce or death decree (if applicable).

All of these documents will need to be notarized or certified when you initially complete them. After they are notarized/certified, they will need to be authenticated at the Secretary of State in the state in which they were prepared, and then authenticated at the Guatemalan Consulate. Some states, like Kentucky, also require a county-level authentication. Please do not attempt to complete your dossier before receiving instructions from us, as each of these documents must meet specific standards, and we provide you with a great deal of guidance and documentation to assist you in the process.

Referral and In-country Adoption Process
AHH families are eligible to receive a referral anytime after their home study is approved. This happens very early in the adoption process. At the time that your home study is approved, your family is placed on a waiting list for a referral and your Family Advocate will advise you regarding about how long you can expect to wait. It can vary significantly depending on the number of families on the waiting lists and the number of available children, but typically families will wait 0 - 2 months for a boy and 2 - 5 months for a girl.

The adoption process cannot start in Guatemala until after the dossier is complete and the family has a referral. So, if your family has a referral before your dossier is complete, you will need to complete your dossier before the adoption process can officially begin. During this time, your child will reside in foster care and you will receive updates.

After your dossier is sent and you have your referral, the adoption process officially begins. You will usually travel to pick up your child about 6 - 8 months later. You can go down to Guatemala and visit your child after DNA authorization is granted.  (This is advised, if possible.) You will travel to Guatemala after the adoption is finalized to pick up your child. This trip is three to five days long. An interpretor will assist you as you complete official business for your adoption.

Top