Overview of the process

Since I am going to Sweden for 2.5 weeks in March 2008, I have decided not to start the homestudy process until after my return. Once I get back (someone tell me how stupid a person can be who books a return flight into Boston on... St. Patrick's Day) the process will go something like this:

I) Homestudy - about 2 months
The homestudy process will include two personal interviews/meetings with a social worker in my home and a lengthy paper chase.

II) Submission of I600-A
Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition to be sent to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

III) Fingerprinting
Fingerprints taken to send to FBI for background check

IV) Dossier - (1-2 months)
This is the compliation of all of the legal documents which one has to present to the foreign government in order to adopt from their country. Each paper has to be notarized and then apostilled in order to prove authenticity. It's a very lengthy and particular process. Thankfully, my agency has a staff member whose only job is to scrutinize dossiers to be sure they will be approved abroad (although in international adoption there are never any guarantees)

V) WAIT (about 6-12 months from submission)
The dossier is first translated and then sent all over the place.

VI) Letter of Invitation (LOI)
This is the letter that invites you to the country for the first visit. It usually comes 4-8 weeks before travel, although it could be sooner or later...

V) First trip to Kazakhstan
This will be a 3-4 week trip to the region where the child's baby home is located. During this time I will live in an apartment and visit the baby every day for 2 weeks in order to form a bond. Then, there is a court date to confirm the adoption. However, after this, there is a mandatory 2 weeks waiting period during which time the judge or adoptive parent can change their mind. Most people travel back to the U.S. for about a month and then return to pick the child up. This is what I plan on doing.

VI) Second trip
This is a 5-7 day trip where I will pick up Lily, get her passport and travel home.


So, as you can see, there are several stages of "Hurry up and wait" in this process. I'm antsy just waiting to get started on the homestudy! And that's my own choice! Yesterday I came home with a few swatches of paint for the baby's room. And a little painting. And a big stuffed chick. Ok people, I'm nesting. But only at clearance sales at this point. ;-)

Hope all is well. Thanks for visiting!