Tic, Toc

September 27, 2007. Well here we are waiting again. This seems to be a reoccurring theme. At this date we still have no DNA test started. I am frustrated for the process to get moving, (Lisa, please hear my pleas!) Nic will be 2 months old tomorrow. We are both ready to return to Guatemala as soon as possible for the next visit! Once we have our DNA results we may return and keep Nic with us while we are there visiting. This is a very brief explanation of the process:

Prepare the Dossier: These are all the documents pertaining to the adoption, basically your whole life in a neat little package. This includes the 171H approval by the INS for adoption.

Referral of baby: You receive a picture and brief information and medical on a baby ready for adoption. (scroll archives for ours)

Ministry of External Relations: This is where your documents are checked to make sure they have the appropriate seals. Then they are translated.

Then I'm not really sure what happens because we seem to be doing this process differently.

But these steps all need to happen regardless of what order they come in.

Family Court Investigation: A social worker is assigned and a home study of the birth mother/foster mother are conducted. Then the birth mother signs her second consent for adoption. Time frame 2-4 months.

First Court Action: The court reviews the social worker report and in most cases makes a recommendation for the approval of adoption.

DNA: The US embassy mandates a DNA test be done on the birth mother & baby. Results are taking around 6 weeks.

PGN: This office is equivalent to our Attorney General's office. Everything is reviewed here and inspected to make sure it is legal. Once PGN feels everything is perfect you can move on. (time frame: they work at there own pace)

Final Court Approval: The adoption decree is drawn up and the birth mother is notified the adoption in now complete. See then signs her final consent.

Registrario Civil: The adoption is inscribed in the civil registry where the baby's birth was recorded. A request for a new birth certificate with our last name is made.

Guatemalan Immigration/Passport Office: All documents are presented for the passport. Baby is fingerprinted.

US Embassy: The attorney presents the adoption file & Passport at the consulate for the exit visa.

VISA Appointment: The baby is taken for a health clearance, photo is taken for visa. Wait for Visa, GO HOME!!!

As you can see it is quite the process, one that will not happen overnight. Nic will likely be almost a year old before he finally comes home for good. Everything depends on how smoothly we flow through the system. Wish us luck...