El Salvador is lush and green, being surrounded by cloud-misted hills. More than 25 extinct volcanoes dot the country, the largest being San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana and San Miguel. A history of political conflict and war has subsided for over a decade. The country continues to modernize, offering social services to all classes with a growing economy. The capitol, San Salvador, is one of the most "westernized" cities in all of Central America. It features American and European hotel chains with a growing population of malls, restaurants, and fast food stores. In 2001, the national currency was changed to the U.S. Dollar.

El Salvadorans enjoy a standard daily fare of casamiento, a mixture of rice and beans, pupusas, a cornmeal mass stuffed with farmer's cheese, and refried beans or chicharrón (fried pork fat). Licuados (fruit drinks), coffee and gaseosas (soft drinks) are ubiquitous.

It is predominantly a Roman Catholic country. However, Protestantism, especially Evangelism, offers a growing alternative. The people are primarily of a Spanish ethnicity, especially in the major cities where adoptions are made available. US and Canadian citizens do not require a visa but must buy a tourist card upon arrival.

Homecoming Adoptions is honored to be the first practice in the U.S. authorized and registered to perform adoptions from El Salvador. Children can be adopted from the earliest age of 6-8 months at the time of referral. All adoptions are assigned by the Executive Committee of the Procurador General in conjunction with ISNA, the national organization for children's social services. The adoption process is performed with the highest level of integrity, taking every measure to avoid any and all impropriety. Most children come to us through the national orphanage system. Children are well cared for by a staff of professionals and clergy.

Married couples and single women can adopt from El Salvador. Single females must execute statements as to be heterosexual. Couples must have proof of marriage for a minimum of five years.

While Homecoming Adoptions can never guarantee the time frame in which an international adoption can be completed (as it is controlled entirely by the foreign government), the average time appears to range from 12-24 months. Once your have accepted the referral of a child, you may visit your child as often as you like with generous opportunities for interaction. Orphanages are remarkably clean and orderly with health care being provided by the national system. Once the adoption investigation is complete, travel to San Salvador is anywhere from 10-21 days "in-country".

Adoption costs are broken down into practice fees, international fees and estimated travel costs. As with any adoption, HCA charges an practice fee of $5,000.00 payable in two installments. The document preparation fee is $1,875.00. Practice costs are fixed from the time a contract is signed by the prospective adoptive parents. The international fee in El Salvador is approximately $16,500.