Who Can Adopt from Guatemala?

Guatemala allows both single individuals and couples over the age of 25 to adopt. Persons with previous divorces are permitted and welcome to adopt as are persons who already have a child or children in their home.  There are also no upper age restrictions to adopt from Guatemala.

While marriage and age are not qualifying factors for Guatemala, sexual orientation is a factor. Single men are usually discouraged from adopting in Guatemala.  (Cases involving single men are evaluated on a case by case basis in Guatemala.  If you are a single man interested in adopting please consult an adoption agency regarding your ability to successfully adopt a child from Guatemala.)  All singles applying to adopt from Guatemala must state that they are heterosexual. The Guatemalan government requires that all single individuals who are adopting from Guatemala sign a statement indicating they are not involved in a gay or lesbian relationship and are not homosexual.

Another restricting factor is the criminal background checks.  Nobody in the adopting household may have a serious criminal background. (If you have ever been charged with a crime please consult an adoption agency to see if you are eligible to adopt.) 

Finally, it is important to note that the US government has several specific guidelines regarding international adoption including a minimum income requirement for U.S. families, which, broadly speaking starts at approximately $16,000-20,000 for a family of two.

Remember that with the exception of the U.S. government's poverty guidelines, all of the above mentioned guidelines are general guidelines that have been put in place for adoptive families by the Guatemalan government.  In addition to the guidelines put in place by the Guatemalan government, each U.S. and/or foreign adoption agency, or foreign attorney may have their own requirements and restrictions for adopting families.  Make sure you ask each agency you contact about their or their Guatemalan attorneys specific guidelines and restrictions.