| Child adoption law varies among the nations of South | | | | countries only allow international adoptions to couples |
| America, but one thing is constant: poverty means | | | | who have been married for at least three years, |
| that there are thousands of healthy children seeking | | | | while others allow older single women to adopt. |
| homes in Brazil, Panama, Ecuador, Honduras and Peru. | | | | Some countries, like Guatamala, have a reputation for |
| As with other international adoptions, you'll need to | | | | speedy adoptions. Brazil requires adoptive parents to |
| deal with paperwork for your state, the US | | | | spend five weeks in the country during the process. |
| government and the country where the child lives. | | | | The Central and South American countries that allow |
| Find an Agency | | | | international adoption, sibling adoptions or special |
| International adoption always requires the assistance | | | | needs adoptions tend to complete the process much |
| of a facilitating agency that specializes in adoption | | | | faster than they do for infants. |
| from the country of interest. Once you are signed | | | | Adopting a child from Latin America generally requires |
| up, they'll guide you through the initial paperwork, | | | | a single long trip by both parents for one to five |
| conduct home inspections and acquaint you with | | | | weeks, or two shorter trips of one to two weeks |
| adoption law in South America. They'll discuss fees | | | | each. Political unrest, changes in adoption law and |
| and timelines and may provide lists of available | | | | even transportation or economic issues may alter the |
| children to start the process. A good agency ensures | | | | typical adoption process in a country, so be prepared |
| that you are presenting a positive package to the | | | | for delays. |
| government agencies that grant international | | | | Once you've received an invitation to the Central or |
| adoptions. When there are language barriers, | | | | South American country, you'll need to travel there |
| mountains of paperwork and plenty of fees, your | | | | to complete the adoption process. The agency will |
| facilitator's experience will help get you closer to | | | | assign you an in-country coordinator to interpret for |
| bringing a child home. | | | | you in all official meetings and gatherings. After the |
| Check Local Adoption Laws | | | | country's government agencies approve the |
| In general, children available for adoption in South | | | | adoption, you'll have to apply for a visa for your new |
| America are housed in either private or government | | | | adopted child so he or she can travel back to the |
| institutions. Each country has different laws | | | | United States. |
| concerning who can adopt. For example, some | | | | |