Our Mexico program is accepting a limited number of relative adoption cases on a case by case basis. Non-relative cases at this time are not being accepted until progress is seen with current families. If you are trying to adopt a relative, please fill out our information form and return it to Angela Jackson.
Click here to read the most recent U.S. State Department announcement on adoptions from Mexico.
Quick Reference
Children:
Age: 5 years and older and younger children with special needs
Parent Requirements:
Varies with each state
Age: 25-60
Marriage: Married or single (some states do not accept singles)
Age: 25-60
Marriage: Married or single (some states do not accept singles)
Estimated Process Timeline
Travel-Guanajuato: 2 trips, 14 days each
Travel-Puebla: 1 trip, 30-45 days
Most states require an in country stay of 1-3 months.
Travel-Puebla: 1 trip, 30-45 days
Most states require an in country stay of 1-3 months.
Children Available
The children available for adoption are of Mexican heritage. Children 5 years and older are available, as well as younger children with special needs. This adoption program is a wonderful opportunity for families wishing to adopt a child with minor special needs, or older children. Although younger children are sometimes available, families need to be open to a child 5 years and older, unless they are open to a child with special needs.
Eligible Applicants
Guanajuato: Families applying to Guanajuato must be 25 years of age and at least 17 years older than the child. Families with more than three children and not presently eligible.
Puebla: There is not an upper age limit for families applying to adopt from Puebla. Older parents will be matched with an older child.
Program & Process
Guanajuato: Once you accept a referral, you will make two, two week trips to Guanajuato to complete the adoption. The wait from referral to your first trip is 3-5 months.
Puebla: Once you accept a referral the judicial process begins with the court giving a hearing 4-7 weeks after filing of the acceptance paperwork. Famlies must be in Puebla two days before court to complete other paperwork. After court is completed the adoption decree is granted 20-30 days later. Your total stay in Mexico will be 30-45 days but one parent may return to the U.S. after court.
General Process Information
Once the dossier has been sent to Mexico, it is received by the Foreign Relations office (SRE) where it is certified. The dossier is then sent to the Central DIF (State System for the Full Development of Children), where it is registered and then the dossier is forwarded to the State DIF where it is evaluated and approved. Each Mexican state has its own DIF with different requirements. Once the family has been approved to adopt from the particular state, they are placed on a waiting list of approved families to be matched with a child. Estimated process time after approval of dossier is currently unknown.
Once the dossier has been sent to Mexico, it is received by the Foreign Relations office (SRE) where it is certified. The dossier is then sent to the Central DIF (State System for the Full Development of Children), where it is registered and then the dossier is forwarded to the State DIF where it is evaluated and approved. Each Mexican state has its own DIF with different requirements. Once the family has been approved to adopt from the particular state, they are placed on a waiting list of approved families to be matched with a child. Estimated process time after approval of dossier is currently unknown.
The Country
Guanajuato is a state in the central highlands of Mexico.
Puebla known as the “City of Angels” is one of the five most important colonial cities in Mexico. It is 84 miles east of Mexico City.
If you are interested in adopting from Mexico, Contact Angela Jackson, Mexico program coordinator.
