Guatemala Hague Update
The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption official went into effect with the United States on April 1, 2008. However, families in process and who signed their power of attorney BEFORE December 31, 2008 are still considered to be grandfathered into the old system.
The United States Department of State is still advising that prospective parents not initiate an adoption with Guatemala at this time because although Guatemala signed the Hague Convention on Adoption in March of 2003 they have not officially implemented all of the Hague guidelines. Because of this the Department of State can not process or approve form I-800, the Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative.
Hague Adoption Convention Partner Countries
