Adoption Timeline

Here's an overview of our adoption process.  I will try to keep it updated with what we have done so far & what still needs to be done.

Timeline

• Home Study July 11-November 30, 2012
• Dossier  -  November 30, 2012 - January 23, 2013
• Dossier sent to West Sands January 23, 2013
• Dossier reached Ethiopia February 25, 2013
• First Waiting List Number - #11 - March 1, 2013
• Waiting for Referral 6-9 months after dossier reaches Ethiopia
• Waiting for 1st visit/court 2-5 months
• Waiting for 2nd visit/bring them home 2-5 months

Items Needed for Dossier  

• Prepare a letter indicating why you want to adopt from Ethiopia, signed & notarized by both parents.  DONE
• Government issued birth certificates for both parents- DONE
• Government issued Marriage Certificate- DONE but may expire
• "Good Conduct" or Local Police Clearance letters for both parents, signed & notarized by Police Dept on Dept letterhead - DONE 1-18-13
•  Original Medical Report for both parents, signed & notarized by your doctor- DONE August
•  Two Original Home Study Evaluation reports- DONE 11-30-12
• Financial Statement signed & notarized by both parents DONE
•  Letter of Employment Verification for each working parent, signed & notarized by employer on employer's letterhead- DONE
• Letter from your bank indicating you are in good standing, signed and notarized by banker on letterhead- DONE 12-4-12
•  Letter from your Health Insurance provider, indicating you have a policy, signed & on letterhead- DONE
• Letter from your Life Insurance Company, indicating you have a policy with the policy value, signed & on letterhead- DONE
• 3 Letters of Recommendation favoring your position to adopt, signed & notarized- DONE
• Obligation of Adoption- Reporting Commitment, signed & notarized - DONE
• Color photocopies of your Passports- Tara DONE 12-4-12, Jeremy DONE
• Original Passport Photos- 2 additional of each parent - DONE
• Power of Attorney for Purposes of Adoption signed & notarized- 2 original copies DONE
• Copies of your past two years tax returns- Form 1040- DONE 12-4-12
• Current I-171H (Provisional Approval of USCIS form I-600A)- Mailed I600a Nov 30, Fingerprints Dec 19, Approved 1-16; Received 1-22-13

HOMESTUDY DONE... Items Needed for Home Study

• Application - Done  7-11-12
• Registration Form - Done 7-18-12
• Fee - 1/2 Paid 7-11-12; 1/2 Remaining
• OH Background Check - Tara's ordered 8-1-12; Jeremy's ordered 8-9-12
• FBI Background Check - Tara's ordered 8-1-12; Jeremy's ordered 8-9-12
• Affidavit of "no-criminal" statement - Done 7-18-12
• Copies of Drivers Licenses - Done 7-18-12
• Copies of Social Security Cards - Done 7-18-12
• Proof of Citizenship - Done
• Child Abuse Clearance - Done
• Fire Inspection - Done
• Copy of Fire Escape Route Plan- Done
• Safety Audit
• Medicals for all members of family - Working on them
• Birth Certificates for all family members - Done
• Marriage Certificate - Done
• Copy of Tax Returns- Done
• 3 previous years of tax returns- Done
• W-2 Forms for 3 previous years- Done
• Four Personal References - Mailed Out
• Employment Verification/Reference- Done
• Release of Information - Done 7-18-12
• 24 Hours OH Adoption Training- Done
• 10 Hours International Hague Training - Done
• Pet Immunizations - Done 8-10-12
• Financial Statement- Done
• Copy of Automobile Insurance- Done
• Drinking Water Statement - Done 7-18-12
• Other forms as needed - TBD

As you can see there is a LOT to do just preparing for this adoption.  It is no wonder it takes so long!  Lots of things to do, lots of paperwork & lots of waiting for things to get processed.