The culture of Mexican families is deeply rooted in a foundation of unity. This strong commitment to family is reflected in the dedication of supporting both immediate and extended family and showing support and loyalty in every circumstance. Many Mexican families that have immigrated to the United States are living a life that their relatives in Mexico could only dream of, due to the extreme poverty in some areas of Mexico. Many of these families display their commitment by sending financial support to their family members remaining in Mexico. However there are times that money alone may not be enough support the family members left behind. Occasionally, families in the United States may find themselves in a situation where adopting a relative from Mexico is necessary.
There are situations in which a family may want to bring a relative to the United States to live and one such way is though relative or intra-family adoption.. Adoption would allow the child to have the same security and benefits as any child born into an American family, such as citizenship, inheritance rights, as well as health insurance. Mexico is a Hague Convention Country and according to the laws of intra-family adoption in Mexico, a full Convention process must be completed. In addition, the child is required to fit the definition of a Convention adoptee and be relinquished or abandoned and be placed in state custody or under the care of the state in which the child resides.
The family then will go through the same steps as any potential adoptive family would:
- Preparing a home study
- Meeting USCIS financial guidelines for adoption
- Filing for immigration and receiving approval
- Preparing a dossier
- Submitting the dossier to the Mexican Central Authority Desarollo Integral de la Familia (DIF)
- Receiving approval from the federal DIF and lastly being approved by the state DIF to complete the final steps of adoption.
Please contact us if you are interested in completing a relative adoption. Our staff of attorneys will evaluate your specific situation to determine if a relative adoption from Mexico is possible.
Lydia Tarr
Lydia Tarr works as the International Program Director for MLJ Adoptions’ programs in Bulgaria and Ukraine. She is the adoptive mother of four children from Ukraine and was recognized as a 2013 Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption Program.
Lydia Tarr
Lydia Tarr works as the International Program Director for MLJ Adoptions’ programs in Bulgaria and Ukraine. She is the adoptive mother of four children from Ukraine and was recognized as a 2013 Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Angels in Adoption Program.