Ava is so very entertaining!

Our Adoption Process
Links underlined

March 14th - First Phone Interview with Adoption Agency
March 16th - Faxed initial application
March 17th - Received agency approval (to begin the process) & adoption info packet
March 24th - Future Grand-Parents attended seminar for us in Bellevue (aka Tom & Kathleen)
April 2nd - Began home study with social worker
May 15th - Received completed home study
May 22nd - Went to Yakima to submit I-600A and get finger printed.
June 13th - Received I-171H approval letter from USCIS
July 5th - Dossier submitted...Now we wait for a referral

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The Adoption Process: From Start to Finish

1. Adoptive applicant(s) submit their Preliminary Application for Adoption The Preliminary Application Review Team assesses all applications and approves applicants based on the information found within the Preliminary Application.
2. Upon Preliminary Application acceptance and approval, adoptive applicants are sent the Guatemalan Adoption Guide and Registration Packet to insure adoptive applicants receive information on the Guatemalan adoption process and the documents and training necessary to complete an international adoption through Guatemala.
3. You will receive an Adoption Consultant/Caseworker. The Consultant/Caseworker assists adoptive applicants in completing all the necessary paperwork for a Guatemalan Dossier. The Consultant/Caseworker also provides information on the adoption process to the adoptive family.
4. Upon Guatemalan Dossier completion, adoptive applicants submit the dossier to the agency.
5. The dossier is reviewed at the agency office and forwarded to the Guatemalan Consulate for authentication.
6. Once the dossier is approved, the adoptive applicants are placed on the waiting list for a referral. The wait for a referral, after submission of dossier is 2 – 6 weeks at this time.
7. At the time of referral, parents receive photos, medical information, and a video of their prospective child.
8. Once the referral is accepted by the adoptive applicant, the Power of Attorney must be completed by the applicant and forwarded to Guatemala immediately in order to begin the adoption process.
9. The attorney in Guatemala completes the adoption on behalf of the adoptive parents. The adoption is completed prior to the parents traveling to bring their child home. However, adoptive parents may need to re-adopt in the US
10. Adoptive parents are encouraged to visit the child once during the adoption process.
11. Once the adoption is complete, approximately 6 – 9 months after the acceptance of a referral, parents travel to Guatemala to bring their child home.
12. Travel is approximately 4-5 days in-country.
13. Parents are met at the airport by an english speaking representative in Guatemala. Your representative escorts families to their hotel and is with them during their time in-country, both for official business and, dinner, etc.
14. Approximate time to complete a Guatemalan adoption from start to finish is 9 – 12 months.