Factsheet, Page 2

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS : The Paraguayan government restricts adoptions to couples who have been married for at least three years; male/female couples who have lived together for more than four years; or single women. Married couples are given preference. Adoptive parents must be between the ages of 25 and 50. Persons with infectious contagious diseases or mental illnesses are not eligible to adopt.

RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: The government of Paraguay requires that adoptive parents must be Paraguayan citizens or legal permanent residents of Paraguay and must reside in Paraguay.

There is no period of residency requirement; however, proof of residency in the form of a permanent resident card or local identification card is required.

TIME FRAME: Total time to complete an adoption in Paraguay ranges from 9 months to 2 years from the time the child is declared eligible for adoption to completion. The child may be placed in the custody of the adoptive parents pending the completion of the adoption. Total time to declare a child eligible for adoption is usually four months but can be longer.

ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS : All adoptions must be processed through the Adoption Center. Their contact information is listed above.

Prospective adopting parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.- based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adopting parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located.

Please visit our Web site at travel.state.gov for additional information about Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at our Web site: (http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/info/info_454.html)

ADOPTION FEES IN PARAGUAY: The Adoption Center does not charge a fee. Attorneys assisting adopting parents set their own fees, which vary greatly.

ADOPTION PROCEDURES: No international adoptions are permitted in Paraguay. When a child is abandoned or becomes an orphan, the Adoption Center is notified and must first attempt to find a relative to care for the child. If no relative can be found, the child remains under the authority of the Adoption Center until a judicial declaration is made that the child is adoptable. At that time, the court will usually release the child into the custody of the prospective parents until the final adoption decree is signed.

Persons interested in adopting a child must file an application form at the Adoption Center and provide the required documentation. After a review of their application and completion of a home study, the names of individuals approved to adopt are placed on a list of available parents. A child is assigned to prospective parents based on the Adoption Center's judgment of which family will best suit the child.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION IN PARAGUAY : Prospective adoptive parents must undergo a home study under the direction of the Adoption Center and provide thefollowing documentation: