Adoption Alliance works with Irish families who want to adopt from Mexico.

HISTORY OF PROGRAM

In the summer of 2005 Adoption Alliance joined with Universal Family Services (UFS) to assist families adopting from Mexico. UFS had helped families adopt from Mexico for almost ten years. During this ten-year period Adoption Alliance worked closely with UFS to place Colorado families with children from Mexico. Adoption Alliance is very excited about the possibilities of this program and the opportunity to have such a distinctive international adoption program.

ADOPTIVE FAMILY REQUIREMENTS

We prefer to work with married adoptive parents but single woman can adopt on a case by case basis.  The program works with pregnant women who may not know the sex of the child so we ask that you be open to either a boy or girl. Both parents also need to be mentally and physically healthy and must not have any communicable diseases.

ADOPTING FROM MEXICO

Our Mexico Adoption Program has many positive aspects but it also has its difficulties. Positives include (but are not limited to) possible contact with the birthmother or family of your child, knowing the medical history of your child,  a number of travel options, and wonderful foster care for your child during the adoption process. On the other hand, the Mexico court system can be complex, sometimes confusing, and families often feel it’s unsystematic. Adoptive families should be aware that, as in all international adoptions and especially in Mexico adoptions, dates are never exact, costs are not always accurate, and things do not always go according to plan.

In Mexico, there are two methods of adoption. One is through the Mexican department of social services (DIF). This method is lengthy - as much as 2-3 years - and VERY complex. However, the Mexican Civil Code also provides for the private adoption of children by foreigners. This is the method of adoption we utilize. We assist families to adopt newborn infants in Guadalajara and Tijuana. Our in-country contacts work directly with the birthmothers, providing them with prenatal care, food and housing during their pregnancy, and support during labor and delivery.

Once Adoption Alliance has received a formal application the family is

added to the list of “families waiting for referral of birthmother/child.” Waiting time on this list is usually three to six months depending on the requests of the birthmothers and the adoptive parents. However, wait time on this list is currently very short from a matter of weeks to two months. Once a referral is made to adoptive parents they can begin to compile their dossier. Once the dossier is complete, notarized, apostilled, translated, and the child is born the family can travel to Mexico to see their child and begin the Mexico adoption process.

Travel by both the mother and father is required. However, there are many options regarding the necessary travel. A few families go to Mexico when the child is born and stay during the adoption process. We do not recommend that families do this. You will be living in a foreign country, away from your support system, and may be there for many months during which it seems nothing is happening. Families should expect to spend 6 to 8 months in Mexico, if they choose this method.  We prefer that families make two to three trips, as necessary to complete the adoption process. Two character witnesses must be present for one day at court in Mexico with the family. All families will also need to travel to Mexico City to obtain their child’s passports. While the family is in Mexico, the child is with them. When the adoptive family is not in Mexico, the child is cared for by foster mothers - all of whom are trained nurses! Timing for this part of the adoption process is generally between four and seven months depending on the courts, processing time for documents, and the family’s schedule. In rare cases processing time for adoption is over a year.

COST OF ADOPTING FROM MEXICO

Adoption fees in Mexico include infant support, hospital fees, attorney fees, and Adoption Alliance fees. The adoption cost is approximately $28,000. Not included are travel, housing, administrative fees for documentation, translation of documents, and foster care.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you would like additional information, please call or email Rebecca Harris at 303-584-9900 ext. 20 or rebecca@adoptall.com. Please don't hesitate to call to discuss your particular situation or referrals to other families who have adopted through our program.