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Adopting from Guatemala

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Young women on the marketplace of Chichicastenango.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Chichicastenango Market.
Source: wikipedia.org.

Tikal Mayan ruins.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Calle del Arco.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Panajachel Lake Atitla.
Source: Wikipedia.org.


Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.


Guatemala Adoption Alert

There have been multiple adoption alerts over the years for Guatemala. To learn more about these alerts and what they mean for international adoption please read Guatemala Adoption Alert.

National Anthem of Guatemala

Anthem of the Republic of Guatemala

Music by Rafael Alvarez Ovalle (1896) Lyrics by José Joaquín Palma (1896) SPANISH LYRICS

¡Guatemala feliz! que tus aras No profane jamás el verdugo; Ni haya esclavos que laman el yugo Ni tiranos que escupan tu faz. Si mañana tu suelo sagrado Lo amenaza invasión extranjera, Libre al viento tu hermosa bandera A vencer o a morir llamará.


CHORUS:

Libre al viento tu hermosa bandera A vencer o a morir llamará; Que tu pueblo con ánima fiera Antes meurto q'esclavo será.

--- ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Fortunate Guatemala! May your altars Never be profaned by cruel men. May there never be slaves who submit to their yoke, Or tyrants who deride you. If tomorrow your sacred soil Should be threatened by foreign invasion, Your fair flag, flying freely in the wind, Will call to you: Conquer or die.

CHORUS: Your fair flag, flying freely in the wind, Will call to you: Conquer or die; For your people, with heart and soul, Would prefer death to slavery.

About Guatemala

The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the internal conflict, which had left more than 200,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, about 1 million refugees.


Hague Convention Information

Guatemala is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoption processing in Hague countries is done in accordance with the requirements of the Convention; the U.S. implementing legislation, the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (IAA); and the IAA’s implementing regulations, as well as the implementing legislation and regulations of the child’s country of origin. For more information please read Guatemala and the Hague Convention.


Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Guatemala

Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zona 10 Tel: 011-502-2326-4000 Fax: 011-502-2326-4674 Email: adoptguatemala@state.gov Internet: U.S. Embassy Guatemala


Guatemala’s Adoption Authority

National Council on Adoption (CNA) Address: Avenida Reforma 6-64, Zona 9 Tel: 011-502-24151600 Fax: 011-502-24151601 Email: cna@cna.gob.gt Internet: Guatemala Adoption Authority


Embassy of Guatemala

2220 R Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 745-4952 Fax: (202) 745-1908 Email: consul@guatemala-embassy.org


Guatemala also has consulates in: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Providence and San Francisco.


Office of Children’s Issues

U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 Email: AdoptionUSCA@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about immigration procedures: National Customer Service Center (NCSC) Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Internet: USCIS


For questions about a pending Form I-600 petition for a child from Guatemala:

USCIS Guatemala City Field Office Email: Guatemala.Adoptions@dhs.gov Phone: 011-502-2326-4000 (ask to be transferred to USCIS)


For questions about filing a Form I-800A or I-800 petition: National Benefits Center Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-816-251-2770 (local) Email: NBC.Adoptions@dhs.gov

SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=guatemala