The Adoption Process

Hey,

For those wondering about The Adoption Process:

Application and Home Study

Major portions contained within this stage:

• Initial Application - Ours was formally submitted on June 4, 2008.
• Pre-adoption Training - 12 hours taken on-line, via hard copy, or at scheduled seminars
• Home Study - Within the Home Study, paperwork needed on our end included: copies of our marriage license, birth certificates (for each member of the household), medicals for each household member & a home study fact sheet. Also needed for the Home Study were: financial information and referrals from neighbors, friends, & employers (at least 4 were needed). We then had three meetings with Social Worker: 1st one together as a couple, next one individual "one on one", last one at our home. The social worker then took this data and summarized in an International Adoptive Home Study Document. We started the Home Study right after our submission of the formal application and we received the completed home study packet on September 8, 2008.
• Psychological Evaluation: We had to meet with a certified psychologist during this time as well. Met with him together.

Total time from start to finish of this phase for us (with lots of "pushing" and phone calls on our end to the adoption office and our adoption contacts)= approx. 3 months.

Dossier Preparation and Submission

Dossier prep (more paperwork needing completion on our end) includes:

• Ensuring we both have passports
• Filling out all data requested (a ton)
• Taking selected pictures of your home and family as required.
• Notarizing all documents.
• Apostilling (Authenticating) all notarized documents.
• Submission of paperwork to be sent to Russia (We are currently at this stage).

Now, we wait for these documents to be translated and for the referral of our child (could take 3 months to 12 + months).

Travel

2 separate trips to Russia.

1st Trip lasts approx. 4 to 7 days. This is where we will "Accept" our referred child.

2nd Trip is 1 to 4 months after first trip and will last approx. 7 to 21 days. This step is where we finalize the adoption (court proceedings, etc.).

Baby comes Home!!!!!