Sunday, January 10, 2010
Practicing Patience...
It's been over a month since our last child referral. Patience has never been a virtue of mine...and it is sure being tested right about now. I check my e-mail all the time. I think I have become obsessed with it. We keep telling ourselves that our baby will come to us when the time is right. But, the wait is pure agony!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Moving along...
We were very fortunate and received our documents apostilled from the Secretary of State in a very short turn around time. For those that don't know, apostille is a process where the Sec. of State verifies that your notary is a notary. Each notarized doc gets an official certificate. The cost is ridiculous. Each document is $20 to be apostilled. If you walk it in, it's an additional $6 per document. We chose to mail it in which cost a bit over $700. Even with the holiday, we received everything back within a week. So, now we are sending everything off to our adoption agency to make sure we have everything we need to send to the Indian courts once we get the word to do so. I will be more than impressed with our Shana/Mark team is we haven't missed any documents.
Unfortunately, we are still waiting for a child referral. We're chalking this one month waiting to the holidays. The waiting is truly agony!
So, where are we in this long process. Below are the required steps from beginning to end...
1) Get an approved home study done by an accredited home study agency.
2) File the I-800A with USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services): You will need to include certified copies of your birth, marriage (if applicable) and divorce (if applicable) certificates, an original copy of your home study, a copy of the home study agency's license, the filing fee of $670 and fingerprint fee of $80 per person (anyone living in the home over the age of 18 years must be fingerprinted).
3) USCIS will contact the family with a date and time to come for their fingerprints: After you get your fingerprints taken, USCIS will process your I-800A petition. (WE ARE HERE)
4) USCIS will send the family an I-797C, Notice of Action "Case Type: I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country": This letter will state "Notice Type: APPROVAL NOTICE", your name, address, fingerprint expiration date and "Approval Valid Until" date.
Your I-800A approval and fingerprints are good for 15 months from the "Notice Date" listed on the I-797C.
5) Official acceptance of a referral/child
6) Family files the I-800 with USCIS
7) USCIS will send the family an I-797C, Notice of Action "Case Type: I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative": This letter will state "Notice Type: NOTICE OF PROVISIONAL APPROVAL".
8) USCIS will notify the U.S. Embassy in India of the family's provisional I-800 approval
9) The U.S. Embassy will contact the family requesting the DS-230 form to be submitted: The DS-230 is the visa application for your child. The Embassy will send you the forms to fill out and information on the photo requirement for this step.
10) The U.S. Embassy will process the case and issue an Article 5 letter: The Embassy will notify you and CARA as soon as the Article 5 letter is issued.
11) CARA processes the case and grants NOC (No Objection Certificate): NOC states that CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) has "No Objection" to the placement of the child with the adoptive parents.
12) The case is filed with the local court: Cases will be filed with the court within 15 days of NOC.
13) Court grants guardianship
14) Agency receives a copy of the court documents
15) Agency files for ICPC approval on behalf of the family: ICPC stands for Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and is necessary for all Indian adoptions due to the granting of "guardianship" instead of "adoption". This approval gives the family permission to bring the child across state lines for the purpose of adopting.
16) Texas ICPC office notifies Agency's Texas office of family's ICPC approval
17) Agency will notify the family of ICPC approval
18) Agency will contact our staff in India regarding possible travel dates for the family: Travel dates must be confirmed with our India staff before the family makes any definite plans.
19) Family travels to India to bring their child home!
*CARA must have received your completed dossier and the Article 5 letter before NOC can be granted.
Unfortunately, we are still waiting for a child referral. We're chalking this one month waiting to the holidays. The waiting is truly agony!
So, where are we in this long process. Below are the required steps from beginning to end...
1) Get an approved home study done by an accredited home study agency.
2) File the I-800A with USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services): You will need to include certified copies of your birth, marriage (if applicable) and divorce (if applicable) certificates, an original copy of your home study, a copy of the home study agency's license, the filing fee of $670 and fingerprint fee of $80 per person (anyone living in the home over the age of 18 years must be fingerprinted).
3) USCIS will contact the family with a date and time to come for their fingerprints: After you get your fingerprints taken, USCIS will process your I-800A petition. (WE ARE HERE)
4) USCIS will send the family an I-797C, Notice of Action "Case Type: I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country": This letter will state "Notice Type: APPROVAL NOTICE", your name, address, fingerprint expiration date and "Approval Valid Until" date.
Your I-800A approval and fingerprints are good for 15 months from the "Notice Date" listed on the I-797C.
5) Official acceptance of a referral/child
6) Family files the I-800 with USCIS
7) USCIS will send the family an I-797C, Notice of Action "Case Type: I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative": This letter will state "Notice Type: NOTICE OF PROVISIONAL APPROVAL".
8) USCIS will notify the U.S. Embassy in India of the family's provisional I-800 approval
9) The U.S. Embassy will contact the family requesting the DS-230 form to be submitted: The DS-230 is the visa application for your child. The Embassy will send you the forms to fill out and information on the photo requirement for this step.
10) The U.S. Embassy will process the case and issue an Article 5 letter: The Embassy will notify you and CARA as soon as the Article 5 letter is issued.
11) CARA processes the case and grants NOC (No Objection Certificate): NOC states that CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority) has "No Objection" to the placement of the child with the adoptive parents.
12) The case is filed with the local court: Cases will be filed with the court within 15 days of NOC.
13) Court grants guardianship
14) Agency receives a copy of the court documents
15) Agency files for ICPC approval on behalf of the family: ICPC stands for Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and is necessary for all Indian adoptions due to the granting of "guardianship" instead of "adoption". This approval gives the family permission to bring the child across state lines for the purpose of adopting.
16) Texas ICPC office notifies Agency's Texas office of family's ICPC approval
17) Agency will notify the family of ICPC approval
18) Agency will contact our staff in India regarding possible travel dates for the family: Travel dates must be confirmed with our India staff before the family makes any definite plans.
19) Family travels to India to bring their child home!
*CARA must have received your completed dossier and the Article 5 letter before NOC can be granted.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Notarized!
My how time flies! It's December and we've advanced a bit in our process since my last post. We completed our home study in early November and sent it off to our adoption agency.
This major step triggered two big next steps. First, it meant we could send our 1-800A (Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country) documents off to Immigration. Second, it also meant we can now start receiving child referrals.
1-800A: Fortunately, they processed the application quite fast and we already have received a letter with a set appointment to come in and get our "biometrics" captured. I'm thinking fingerprints? But, wouldn't they have just said that? You can tell I'm a bit nervous about what there will be beyond fingerprints. Anyhow, my appt. time conflicts with an important work date so I have to mail the docs back in to see if I can reschedule. If you ever go through this process, try to not to reschedule. It's not at easy as calling the dentists office.
Child Referral: This is such an exciting phase, but I have also discovered it is the most difficult we've encountered so far. Now that the home study is done, our adoption agency can send us children matching our criteria. We received our first one instantly. He was a little boy who just turned one. Unfortunately, his medical background caused us to decline. It's been about a month and my heart still breaks from this decision. We were spoiled with that first referral because we assumed more would come in just as fast, but we are still waiting.
During our waiting period, we are finalizing all the Indian dossier docs that will go to the Indian courts once we accept a child and our approved with immigration. Just to give you an understanding, we have been working on all these documents since this past May. I can't believe it, but we have gathered everything (or so I hope). Part of the requirement is that each document be notarized. In terms of costs, each signature runs around $10. Once all is said and done, it would cost between $250-300 to notarize the dossier docs. If you are thinking about adopting, make friends with a notary! Lucky for us, my friend Jed connected me with his friend Niki who is a notary and she only charged us a very small travel fee. Tonight we finalized our last couple of docs. [If you ever need a notary, please ask me about Niki...she is awesome and will come to you!!!] So, tomorrow we will take all these notarized forms to be apostilled with the Secretary of State. This is the process where we certify the notary is a notary. We are hoping the holidays won't hold up the turnaround time.
This major step triggered two big next steps. First, it meant we could send our 1-800A (Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country) documents off to Immigration. Second, it also meant we can now start receiving child referrals.
1-800A: Fortunately, they processed the application quite fast and we already have received a letter with a set appointment to come in and get our "biometrics" captured. I'm thinking fingerprints? But, wouldn't they have just said that? You can tell I'm a bit nervous about what there will be beyond fingerprints. Anyhow, my appt. time conflicts with an important work date so I have to mail the docs back in to see if I can reschedule. If you ever go through this process, try to not to reschedule. It's not at easy as calling the dentists office.
Child Referral: This is such an exciting phase, but I have also discovered it is the most difficult we've encountered so far. Now that the home study is done, our adoption agency can send us children matching our criteria. We received our first one instantly. He was a little boy who just turned one. Unfortunately, his medical background caused us to decline. It's been about a month and my heart still breaks from this decision. We were spoiled with that first referral because we assumed more would come in just as fast, but we are still waiting.
During our waiting period, we are finalizing all the Indian dossier docs that will go to the Indian courts once we accept a child and our approved with immigration. Just to give you an understanding, we have been working on all these documents since this past May. I can't believe it, but we have gathered everything (or so I hope). Part of the requirement is that each document be notarized. In terms of costs, each signature runs around $10. Once all is said and done, it would cost between $250-300 to notarize the dossier docs. If you are thinking about adopting, make friends with a notary! Lucky for us, my friend Jed connected me with his friend Niki who is a notary and she only charged us a very small travel fee. Tonight we finalized our last couple of docs. [If you ever need a notary, please ask me about Niki...she is awesome and will come to you!!!] So, tomorrow we will take all these notarized forms to be apostilled with the Secretary of State. This is the process where we certify the notary is a notary. We are hoping the holidays won't hold up the turnaround time.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Exhausted
I guess I shouldn't complain too much since I did get a week away. But, boy did real life hit me hard when I returned! My life is consumed by three major things right now...getting a school up and running despite every challenge possible, trying to work through the ever elusive doctoral process so I can be done, and just that other small thing of trying to start a family by pushing through all the thick red tape of the international adoption process.
We had our official home visit yesterday from our social worker. It was much easier than I imagined. Of course there were lots of questions and then a tour of the home. We had to identify the potential kiddo's room. Our social worker asked how we were feeling about the process so far. So, we did express our frustration with how long everything takes. She confirmed our feelings by letting us know when we send our completed home study (in about a month) to immigration, it will take a minimum of 2-3 months. While we wait for the home study to be typed and checked by the agencies fact checkers (yes, they do check the document against all our paperwork to make sure we haven't told any fibs anywhere), we will complete our at home courses and finish gathering the dossier documents (along with notarizing and sending it off to the Secretary of State's office for the apostille process).
As for my doctoral studies, I am very close to proposing my chapters 1-3. This is a big step since approval means I can conduct my study and get closer to the defense. I met with my chair this morning and received all my "to-do's"....it was a long list! But, I should be proposing in a few weeks. So, I am preparing for high stress now.
Finally, opening the school year has been difficult. I'm still finding it difficult to accept all my fantastic teachers that were laid off. The teacher contract stipulates random permanent teachers get to pick my school. I'm still not fully staffed and support is lacking. I wish lawmakers and all those making judgments on public education would truly understand what it takes to run a school. Getting off my soapbox....
We had our official home visit yesterday from our social worker. It was much easier than I imagined. Of course there were lots of questions and then a tour of the home. We had to identify the potential kiddo's room. Our social worker asked how we were feeling about the process so far. So, we did express our frustration with how long everything takes. She confirmed our feelings by letting us know when we send our completed home study (in about a month) to immigration, it will take a minimum of 2-3 months. While we wait for the home study to be typed and checked by the agencies fact checkers (yes, they do check the document against all our paperwork to make sure we haven't told any fibs anywhere), we will complete our at home courses and finish gathering the dossier documents (along with notarizing and sending it off to the Secretary of State's office for the apostille process).
As for my doctoral studies, I am very close to proposing my chapters 1-3. This is a big step since approval means I can conduct my study and get closer to the defense. I met with my chair this morning and received all my "to-do's"....it was a long list! But, I should be proposing in a few weeks. So, I am preparing for high stress now.
Finally, opening the school year has been difficult. I'm still finding it difficult to accept all my fantastic teachers that were laid off. The teacher contract stipulates random permanent teachers get to pick my school. I'm still not fully staffed and support is lacking. I wish lawmakers and all those making judgments on public education would truly understand what it takes to run a school. Getting off my soapbox....
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Alaska
Our vacation to Seattle and a cruise to Alaska was just what we needed! We had a great time! Unfortunately, I spent the first few days sick...but took lots of medicine and was better by the 2nd day of the cruise.
An anniversary cake greeted us in our cabin
Killer whales we saw in Juneau, AK
A group of whales on a feeding frenzy for herring
Glacier Bay, AK
A special anniversary dinner at the French bistro on the cruise
An anniversary cake greeted us in our cabin
Killer whales we saw in Juneau, AK
A group of whales on a feeding frenzy for herring
Glacier Bay, AK
A special anniversary dinner at the French bistro on the cruise
Friday, July 31, 2009
Social Worker Assigned!!
We are so excited because we have been assigned a social worker!!!! Mark and I will have individual appointments in a couple of weeks and then the home study. If all goes well, we will be able to send of documents to India.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Smiles and Tears
Two videos brought opposite emotions this week. If you didn't catch either, take a few moments...
This video brought a smile and laughter to my day, what a way to start a morning!
Dancing is so beautiful and this one brought tears to my eyes. My family has been touched by breast cancer and this was just amazing....
This video brought a smile and laughter to my day, what a way to start a morning!
Dancing is so beautiful and this one brought tears to my eyes. My family has been touched by breast cancer and this was just amazing....
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Fingerprints
The only thing we are waiting for is my fingerprint clearance from Dept. of Justice. Odd that it is taking so long since I am in the system as an educator. We were told it could take up to two months...time we just don't want to waste. Our home study agency has allowed us permission to move forward while we wait for the clearance. This way we have a social worker assigned to us and can begin the home study process. If my prints do not clear, we may have gone through the home study for nothing. I would have definitely fingerprinted much earlier on if I knew about the delay. We submit our form tomorrow to give the approval to move forward. I am hoping we will soon be announcing we have a social worker!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Bringing ???? Home
Our buddy family shared the title of this book so of course I purchased it (thank you one-click Amazon)!
The plot warmed my heart and am hoping we will soon be saying we are bringing our little one home.
The plot warmed my heart and am hoping we will soon be saying we are bringing our little one home.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Buddy Family & 4th of July Aftermath
Today we met our assigned buddy family. Kathy and Graham Master adopted a little girl from India 8 years ago. A prerequisite to the home study process is to meet with our assigned buddy family and ask them any questions we have.
Our visit included information of what to prepare, adjustment periods and support groups. We both felt the visit made everything a bit more real for us. Kathy has lots of cultural groups she belongs to and I was impressed since I am Indian and had no idea! We are looking forward to keeping in touch with them and asking questions along the way.
Now that we've made our buddy family visit, we are officially done with the prerequisite items. We wait for my fingerprints to clear and then our social worker is assigned! We are anxious and wish there was a way to speed up those fingerprints. But, if there is anything we've learned from the process, other people do not work on our time.
So, since we were so excited to have met our buddy family, it was very disappointing when we came home only to have our neighbor tell us at 6:45 pm that the fence between our two homes had caught on fire at 1 this morning. The tree above it is completely burned. Thank goodness it did not catch the roof which was just seconds away. They decided to put it out themselves and tell us 17 hours later. Did I mention that Mark and I were sleeping down the way of the fire. They did not call the fire department or come knock on our door. Instead, they fought hard to put the fire out and had their area completely cleaned when we went to take pictures. Hmmmm, detective Shana is already on it!
Our visit included information of what to prepare, adjustment periods and support groups. We both felt the visit made everything a bit more real for us. Kathy has lots of cultural groups she belongs to and I was impressed since I am Indian and had no idea! We are looking forward to keeping in touch with them and asking questions along the way.
Now that we've made our buddy family visit, we are officially done with the prerequisite items. We wait for my fingerprints to clear and then our social worker is assigned! We are anxious and wish there was a way to speed up those fingerprints. But, if there is anything we've learned from the process, other people do not work on our time.
So, since we were so excited to have met our buddy family, it was very disappointing when we came home only to have our neighbor tell us at 6:45 pm that the fence between our two homes had caught on fire at 1 this morning. The tree above it is completely burned. Thank goodness it did not catch the roof which was just seconds away. They decided to put it out themselves and tell us 17 hours later. Did I mention that Mark and I were sleeping down the way of the fire. They did not call the fire department or come knock on our door. Instead, they fought hard to put the fire out and had their area completely cleaned when we went to take pictures. Hmmmm, detective Shana is already on it!
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