Is it possible to adopt from the United States if I am a missionary who lives in mexico?

Question

My husband and I are missionaries in Mexico. We are considering adoption since we have had problems with fertility, but it is very difficult, legally, for American citizens to adopt Mexican children. I have three questions:

1) Is it possible for us to adopt a U.S. child if we are on visas in Mexico?

2) Is the adoption process something that we can start while in Mexico via phone and mail, and complete when we are in the U.S., or do we need to be in the U.S. for the entire time?

3) Are there laws that would prevent us to adopt, and then apply for a visa for our new child and return to our mission in Mexico?

Answer 1

Yes it is possible for a US citizen to adopt while living in a different country. People in the military do it all the time. I know a number of people who are active military stationed abroad who adopted from both Russia and China.  It may be difficult to do and a little more expensive as you will need to find an agency who has a licensed social worker living in Mexico. I know people who have done international adoptions while they lived in Italy, Germany, Panama, and China. Your agency should be able to help you locate a social worker that can do your home study.

I am not familiar with the rest of the domestic adoption process while living out of country but it is do-able.

Answer 2

It is definitely possible for you to adopt while living in Mexico, but it may be hard for you to do a domestic adoption. I would think you wouldn't be eligible to do a foster-to-adopt situation while living in Mexico. A private adoption would work, but you would need a birthmom to choose you knowing her child would be living in Mexico. not that they wouldn't but I could see it raising problems, regarding open adoption (ability for them to see the child), etc, so you might be in for a long wait, waiting to be chosen (on the otherhand there is the potential a birthmom could love what you guys are doing)... but there is no legal reason you shouldn't be able to adopt just because you are currently living outside the US.  

You can also do foreign adoptions as a US citizen while you are not living in the US and this may be easier since you are not waiting for someone to chose you. If you search yahoogroups for a group specializing in adoptions from whichever country you might consider (maybe another latino nation since Mexico isn't a viable option?) you can usually get information from other missionary and army families who have done it and know how to meet all the US requirements while living outside the US.

Answer 3

I honestly don't know.  But it's hard for Americans to adopt American children.  So good luck!

Answer 4

The problem I see here is that adoption requires a home study to be conducted by a social worker.  Obviously, a social worker in the USA isn't going to be able to travel to Mexico to check out your living accommodations, be able to ascertain what sort of medical care is available for a child, etc.  You may find an agency that will be able to start the paperwork with you long-distance, but an agency placing a child needs to be able to visit you and that child until the adoption is final.  In all probability, you'd need to be in the USA during that time and have a permanent place to live there for however long it takes to finalize.  You might look into adoption from Colombia or Guatemala.  One of the early steps in being approved to adopt is having the agency or program check out your home, and often they want you to have been in the area for a certain period of time.  You'd need to be able to show proof of employment, have physicals, give references, and meet with the case worker several times.  Many agencies require the attendance at parenting/adoption classes, as well.  Even military families run into problems if they are going to be going overseas before the adoption is final.  That is usually between 6-12 mos.  Depending upon whether you are looking for an older child or an infant, the wait might be several years.  You would need to be in the USA the entire time.   It's unlikely any agency would allow you to take the child out of the USA before the adoption is final, and many may balk at placing a child who will be reared in a situation that may be very different from what is considered standard in the USA.  I would start by checking with agencies in your home state or looking into private adoption, though that can be very costly.  Best of luck.  Adoption is a wonderful way to build a family.