As we are gearing up for our next adoption, I’ve made myself a list of the first steps in the process to keep me organized. I thought that those of you who are also at the beginning stages of the process might find it helpful. Keep in mind that different agencies may ask for things to be done in a different order, so read all the directions provided in your application packets.
If you have any paperwork questions, be sure to get them answered before go to the trouble of having a document produced and notarized. You want every detail of your paperwork to be correct so that you don’t have to waste time correcting errors. Also, though some things must be done in a specific order, many other things on the list can be done concurrently. I completed the first items on this list the very day we decided to go forward. I included the dates that I’ve done things so far just so you could get an idea of how you can clump the first tasks in the process.
FIRST STEPS
Agency Application
Get insurance letter to prove adopted children are covered (4-2-07) Copy taxes, birth certs, marriage license (4-2-07)
Fill out Ethiopian adoption agency application (4-2-07)
Send in Ethiopian adoption agency application (4-2-07)
Homestudy Application
Contact local homestudy agency (4-2-07)
Warn 4 friends we’ll need another reference letter (4-3-07)
Copy taxes, birth certs, marriage (4-3-07)
Schedule local criminal background check (4-5-07)
When homestudy packet arrives fill out homestudy paperwork
When preliminary paperwork is done make first homestudy appointment
Clean house for social worker
Medical Checkup (required for homestudy)
Make doctor appointments (4-2-07)
Copy letter that doctor needs to sign for Ethiopia dossier (4-9-07)
Find out if doctor’s office has a notary; if not, hire one (4-9-07)
Go to doctor/ bring homestudy physical and dossier medical letter for doctor to sign (4-10-07)
Immigration Preapproval for Child
Print or pick up I600A (salmon colored paper is best)
Gather appropriate documentation
Fill out I600A
Get cashier’s check for BCIS
Hand deliver I600A or mail it depending on your proximity
Get passport if you are traveling to get your child
Related posts:
In The Beginning: Blackbelt Paper Pushing
Passport Application Delays
Umm… Mary, what IS that in the picture? My eyes are seeing a severed hand on top of a pile of papers. Please correct my perceptual error here… or have you really gone that far over the edge with the paperwork already??
Marian, LOL–it is actually a hand reaching up out of a heap of paperwork! As far as I know, it is attached to a person who is buried in paperwork. grin
Mary
i do have a question regarding the medical checkup. we are applied with aai and awaiting for their notification to begin the homestudy. in the meantime i am gathering paperwork. i want to go ahead an make the appointments and get the reports but i have no clue what to tell our physicians we need. how detailed a report, what format etc. ?
Hi was the insurance letter for the home study or for the dossier? I’m trying to wrap my mind around all of what is needed…I haven’t signed w/ an agency yet but I’m trying to prepare myself for the road ahead. it would be great if someone could post the entire dossier list. I’m not so great w/ paperwork and need all the lead time I can get! lol
Both our homestudy agency and our Ethiopia agency needed a copy of the insurance letter. And as far as a complete dossier list, you’d be better off getting that from your agency, because each agency has a specific set of instructions they like their clients to follow. Plus, if you do things too much ahead of time, they can expire and have to be redone.
Mary
I have a question about what is needed in a dossier for Ethiopia. I have my completed homestudy and have filed my I600A, I just want to get a jump start on my dossier. Any thoughts?