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Mexico Adoptions
Bienvenidos! Across The World Adoptions is proud to announce we have received national approval to assist with adoptions from most states in Mexico. We also have the additional authorization required by Jalisco. We share a long border with our Mexican neighbors, who are a warm and friendly people. Mexico is also well known for her beautiful beaches, historical and archeological treasures and popular cuisine.
Mexico is a Hague adoption country. Mexico’s Central Authority for adoptions is the National DIF (Desarrollo Integral de la Familia) and the Secretary of Exterior Relations (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores or SRE). DIF is the only entity in Mexico authorized to identity and refer children for adoption. Adoptions are processed by the court. Therefore, there will be no foreign supervised providers. Applicants will need to file an I-800A form with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). This is a pilot program and families must be flexible and be prepared for changes or delays in the program as it unfolds.
Dual Mexican and U.S. nationals and families adopting relatives must complete plenary (or plena) adoptions and the entire Hague adoption process. Simple adoptions are not accepted. Adoptions completed solely under Mexican law, will not qualify the child for a visa for admission to the U.S.
Please review the website of the U.S. Department of State on adopting from Mexico, including the latest notices and alerts:
http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=mexico
The Children:
- Children identified for international adoption are 5+ years old.
- Or are in a group of siblings that includes at least one older child.
- Or the child may have a special need. It is possible the special need may be a minor or correctable medical condition.
- This is not a program for families who are only interested in adopting a healthy infant.
- Children who are related to applicants may also be adopted, but Hague adoption requirements must still be observed.
- Children may come into orphanage care for a variety of reasons including economic or social pressures, neglect or abuse.
- Children most often are Hispanic, but some may also have other heritage as well.
Eligible Applicants:
- At least one parent must be a U.S. citizen. The U.S. citizen parent must be the petitioner on the I-800A and be present for most adoption processing. The U.S. citizen parent may also be a Mexican national. The other parent need not be a U.S. citizen but must be legally admitted to the U.S. We are not currently able to assist U.S. citizens living abroad (including those residing in Mexico) or couples where neither parent is a U.S. citizen.
- Heterosexual married couples or singles (length of marriage requirement may vary among Mexican states as well as willingness to accept single applicants).
- The minimum age is usually 25 years and parents must be 15-17 years older than the child. The age of the parents is considered when Mexico provides a referral.
- Preference may be given to families without other children.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate a health status appropriate for their role as parents. In general, you should not have degenerative or infectious diseases, but some health conditions are acceptable.
Adoption Process:
- Undertake a home study by an agency licensed in your state of U.S. residence. We are not able to accept home studies from independent social workers, even if permitted in your state.
- ATWA collaborates with other agencies for home studies as exempt providers. There will be no U.S. supervised providers since adoptions are finalized in Mexico.
- Complete adoption education during home study.
- Apply for I-800A approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS).
- Prepare dossier of documents required by Mexico. Mexico will require a psychological report separate from the home study.
- Wait for a referral from the adoption authority (DIF) in Mexico (6-12 months anticipated, but could be longer), if not a relative.
- Accept referral and file I-800 with CIS.
- Travel to the state in Mexico of child’s residence for first trip, meet and bond with the child/ren for 3-5 weeks through visits to the Children’s Home.
- Legal preparations and court proceedings may take 5-6 months.
- Travel to the same state of referral for a second trip of about 2-4 weeks to conclude adoption process and then proceed to Mexico City for passport and U.S. embassy visa processing. All adoption processing is now done at the embassy, so travel to Mexico City is required.
- Return to U.S. Your child is then an automatic U.S. citizen upon entry!
- Complete four post-adoption reports through adoption agency at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after home coming. This is the minimum required by National DIF, but some states in Mexico may require different or additional reports. Post-adoption requirements can and do change.
- Re-adoption in the U.S. is strongly recommended.
Fees and Expenses:
ATWA’s program fees encompass all professional services for the adoption. Additional expenses paid to third parties may include the home study and psychological report, CIS fees, document preparation, travel, U.S. visa fees and post-adoption. A federal tax credit up to about $12,670 for 2012 is available to offset adoption fees and expenses after finalization.
Fees may be reduced by $1,500 for a relative adoption if the legal process has not already been finalized before contacting ATWA.
For more information, please contact Across The World Adoptions by phone: (925) 356-6260 or by email: adopt@atwakids.org. You may request more information by filling out this form.
