For us, the decision to adopt and start our family has been the easiest and the most difficult decision of our lives. There are currently an estimated 2million orphans in Vientam that need loving families. We know that we want to have children and feel that this is the best way for us to begin to grow our family. Unfortunately, unlike a pregnancy, we do not have a timeline. Due to government changes between the US and Vietnam, our estimated wait has changed numerous times in the past few months. I have shed many tears over these unknowns, but you don’t go into an international adoption without taking a huge leap of faith. This will be the ultimate test of my patience!!
I wanted to give you an idea of what this process involves and what our past 7 months have been like.
Step 1 - We selected our two agencies (placement and homestudy) and signed our adoption contract on June 8th. That is when this ride really got into full swing.
Step 2 – Paperchase & homestudy. For three months we have compiled birth certificates, marriage certificates and financial statements. We completed book reports, internet trainings, and autobiographies. We met with doctors, policeman, notaries and social workers. The results of all of this, as well as our references (a big thank you to those that fulfilled this requirement for us!!) are reviewed by the homestudy agency and make up our dossier that will get sent to Vietnam.
Step 3- Once out homestudy is approved, we had to submit the I-600A to the USCIS (United States Citizen and Immigration Services), a department of homeland security. This form is our petition to bring an orphan into the US. Once approved, we received the coveted I-171H (our approval).
Step 4 – The I-171H and the majority of our paperchase documents are compiled to create our dossier. This packet is sent to authentication and then to translation. Once the dossier is translated in Vietnam we receive our official waitlist number from our agency.
Step 5- WAIT and WAIT
Step 6- Travel to Hanoi, Vietnam for 2-3 weeks where we will meet and adopt our child!!
I wanted to give you an idea of what this process involves and what our past 7 months have been like.
Step 1 - We selected our two agencies (placement and homestudy) and signed our adoption contract on June 8th. That is when this ride really got into full swing.
Step 2 – Paperchase & homestudy. For three months we have compiled birth certificates, marriage certificates and financial statements. We completed book reports, internet trainings, and autobiographies. We met with doctors, policeman, notaries and social workers. The results of all of this, as well as our references (a big thank you to those that fulfilled this requirement for us!!) are reviewed by the homestudy agency and make up our dossier that will get sent to Vietnam.
Step 3- Once out homestudy is approved, we had to submit the I-600A to the USCIS (United States Citizen and Immigration Services), a department of homeland security. This form is our petition to bring an orphan into the US. Once approved, we received the coveted I-171H (our approval).
Step 4 – The I-171H and the majority of our paperchase documents are compiled to create our dossier. This packet is sent to authentication and then to translation. Once the dossier is translated in Vietnam we receive our official waitlist number from our agency.
Step 5- WAIT and WAIT
Step 6- Travel to Hanoi, Vietnam for 2-3 weeks where we will meet and adopt our child!!
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