ADOPTION AUTHORITY MEXICO:  The State System for the Full Development of the Family (Desarrollo Integral de la Familia, or DIF) is a government institution in each Mexican state that handles family matters.  The DIF acts as the legal representative for abandoned children and provides foster care for abused or orphaned minors.  Children who are abandoned or orphaned can be given up for adoption by the DIF.  The DIF and the Mexican Foreign Relations are assigned responsibility to study each child’s eligibility for intercountry adoption and arrange adoptions. The DIF determines whether a family would be suitable for a particular child by ensuring that a home study has been done.  The DIF makes every effort to place children with relatives or Mexican citizens living in Mexico before placing children for inter-country adoption. 

A list of DIF offices and their contact information can be at: http://www.dif.gob.mx/directorio.htm.  Inquiries must be made in the Spanish language.  If written inquiries are in English they must be accompanied by a translation.