Different types of search cases

Most birth mother searches have a lot in common. Many adoptive families have lots of documents that they can provide. I am able to review documents at no charge to assess the degree of difficulty a search may involve. Usually there is a Protocolo, which is the actual adoption decree. Also, there is often an Informe Socio Economico, or Social Study. Then there is a birth certificate – sometimes both pre and post adoption, a Consentimiento de la Madre – the birth mother’s consent to the adoption, and often a copy of the birth mother’s Cedula, which is the mother’s national ID booklet. We have successfully done searches with only a few of these documents, but the more documents, the better the chances of locating the birth mother. Due to the situation with COVID, and increased transportation and other costs in Guatemala, we have had to raise our fee. We have done more than 35 searches and were successful in all but a few, which are still in progress. Many of the adoptions took place in a large population center like Guatemala City, but most birth mothers are actually from indigenous villages in remote regions of the country where the locals are not trusting of non Mayans snooping around and asking questions.  Many times, local, non indigenous searchers are at a loss as to how to make inquiries in such areas. This often makes the search challenging. To get around many of the problems of gaining the trust of the locals, I have recruited an associate in Guatemala, Oliva Cleotilde Lopéz Peréz.  She is a university educated indigenous Mayan who not only speaks Spanish but whose native language is Kaqchikel, one of the more common Mayan dialects.  “Oly” can usually gain the trust needed to assist with even the most difficult cases.  She can be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OLIVIAMKT/ . I have primarily focused on doing searches in Guatemala due to the high number of adoptions from there.  However, I have extensive travel experience with and am able to do searches throughout Mexico, Central and South America.

Payment and Fees

I can review and evaluate your case for free and give you a cost of the search based on what information you can send me about the birth mother/ family, professionals involved in the adoption, and any other information that can be provided. Currently, the cost of a typical search is $2,600.00.. We require a retainer of $600.00 to cover the initial cost of research, travel and other expenses of the search and the balance is due only if we are successful in locating the birth mother, or relatives of the birth mother in the event that the birth mother may be deceased. On a few rare searches we had to charge a bit more due to the difficulty of the search, but any additional fees are discussed with and approved by the client before a charge is made. This fee includes a basic report of the search and for us to act as liaison with the birth mother/ family in order to connect with them. For an additional fee we can provide (1) a thorough report of the search including information/ stories/ anecdotes gathered from visiting with the family, (2) obtaining basic family medical information from available records, (3) providing video and photographs of the family and (4) facilitating initial contact with and/ or continuing as liaison to the birth mother and family for an extebded period of time. The fee depends on how much additional information is desired. We can also arrange a trip for a meeting with the biological mother and family when located, if you desire to meet with them and if the birth mother agrees to it. Realizing that reconnecting birth mother with the child or with adoptive parents can be a very sensitive undertaking; every effort is made to facilitate the re-connection with the goal of making it a pleasant and positive experience for all, while fully respecting matters of confidentiality and the desires of all. If you are interested in locating a birth mother or just want to learn more about this service, call or email today for a free consultation and assessment of you case. – (512) 736-0771 or loelcoleman@loelcoleman.com

There are some who think that our prices are high, and others who are amazed that we can do it at such a reasonable price, considering the risks and hazards of traveling and searching in the remote areas of Guatemala. We always strive to provide our service at a fair price.

If assistance is needed in paying for a search, there are crowdfunding sites, like GO FUND ME that might be helpful.