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Adopting from Paraguay

The official flag.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad de Asunción.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

A Jesuit Mission.
Source: flickr.com.

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Source: flickr.com.

San Lorenzo Church.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

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Source: flickr.com.

Children in Santa Rosa.
Source: flickr.com.

Asunción.
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the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.


About Paraguay

Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of its adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since the country's return to democracy.


Hague Convention Information

Paraguay is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore all adoptions between Paraguay and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention. To learn more please read about Paraguay and the Hague Convention.

Who Can Adopt

Adoption between the United States and Paraguay is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Paraguay, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn more. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Paraguay.

Who Can Be Adopted

Because Paraguay is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Paraguay must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Paraguay.


How to Adopt

Adoption Authority

Paraguay's Adoption Authority

Centro de Adopciones (Adoption Center)


The Process

Because Paraguay is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from Paraguay must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention's requirements. A brief summary of the Convention adoption process is given below. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all necessary legal requirements.


NOTE: If you filed your I-600a with Paraguay before April 1, 2008, the Hague Adoption Convention may not apply to your adoption. Your adoption could continue to be processed in accordance with the immigration regulations for non-Convention adoptions. Learn more.


  1. Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider
  2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
  3. Be Matched with a Child
  4. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
  5. Adopt the Child in Paraguay
  6. Bring your Child Home

To learn more about this process please read How to Adopt from Paraguay.


Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Paraguay. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports. Getting or renewing a passport is easy. To learn more please read about Traveling Abroad in Paraguay.


After Adoption

What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.


Here are some good places to start your support group search:


Child Welfare Information Gateway

North American Council on Adoptable Children

Adoption Services Support Group for Adopting Persons


Contact Information

U.S Embassy in Paraguay

1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue Phone: (011-595-21) 213-715 Fax: (011-595-21) 213-728 Internet: U.S. Embassy in Paraguay


The Consular Section is open for U.S. citizen services, including registration, Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., except for U.S. and Paraguayan holidays.


Paraguay's Adoption Authority

Centro de Adopciones (Adoption Center) Avenida Mariscal Lopez 1549 c/Pitiantuta, Asunción Phone: 595-21-207-160 Hours: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.


Embassy of Paraguay in the U.S.

2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20008 Phone: (202) 483 6960 Fax: (202) 234 4508


Paraguay also has Consulates General in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.


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 E-mail: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC)

1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)

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=paraguay