China Program Update - 3/28/08

We received the China Program Update email today. They are saying now that they current wait time is 26-27 months. They still expect the wait to grow to 4 years. Wow.

Medical Reports

Tony had his medical tests on March 26, 2008. We also got a reply from Dick offering several dates for the home visit. We chose April 7 at 5:15 p.m. or so. Once the home study is done and sent to CIS, we are VERY close to having all of our paperwork gathered.

On March 28, 2008, we received a letter from USCIS informing us that they "received" our I-600A form on March 26, 2008. They will also need the originals of our birth certificates and marriage license when we come for the fingerprint appointment. No problem--it's all in a file together already!

I emailed USCIS on March 30, 2008, asking about the form "Authorization to Release Information to another person" that they say is optional to fill out. I can't find it online.

Medical Tests & CIS

I received a reply from Tina on March 23, 2008, that maybe the county considered the certified copy as notarized and to call the Secretary of State to make sure.

March 24, 2008: Had my medical tests done. Then I took the I-600A form to the CIS. They don't allow cameras or cell phones that take pictures. When I took my cell phone out to the car, I just removed almost everything and only took bare essentials. I went back in and checked in. I found out when I got to the window that they ONLY take money orders and not checks or cash! They made another appointment for tomorrow at 8:00 am for me (they don't normally do that for people). I went home and got Tony's checkbook and took it to him to go get a money order. I also stopped at the Douglas County Sheriff's office to get our background checks on police letterhead and notarized. That only took 10 minutes (and $20).

March 25, 2008: I went to CIS by 7:30 a.m. The doors don't open until 7:45. I was the first one in the doors when they unlocked them. I got through security just fine (left my purse in the car this time!) and submitted the form and money order. I was out of there by 7:50 a.m.--10 minutes before my actual appointment time! I emailed Dick and told him he could pass along the money order information to anyone. I also wondered when he wanted to come up to the house for the final home visit.

Marriage License & USCIS

On March 18, 2008, I sent a letter with a request for another certified and NOTARIZED copy of our marriage license because the instructions said to "make sure it was notarized."

We received an email on March 19, 2008, informing us (and all China program families) that if we haven't already submitted our I-600A form to USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services aka The Department of Homeland Security) that we need to get it submitted on or before March 31, 2008, or we might not be able to submit anything to USCIS till the fall, if even then, due to Hague Accreditation problems for CHI. They are working diligently on this.

On March 20, 2008, I made a USCIS appointment for March 24, 2008. We had our 2nd meeting with Dick over the noon hour.

We received a copy of our marriage license on March 21, 2008, but it was not notarized. I emailed Tina about what to do about that.

We finished our DVD and 4th test on March 22, 2008. Since part of the last test is hand scored (because there are some free-form short answer questions) we have to wait for the results. We have to each score 80% or more on each test in order to pass. So far Tony has scored 100% on the first 3 and I have missed some but scored high enough to pass. We do help each other on all the questions so we'll see.....

Education Package

March 10, 2008: We received our education package today. It includes 10 hours of DVD (4 sessions) that we have to watch and be tested online, as well as a book to read at our leisure. Ha! We have to have this all done (the DVD and testing part) before our dossier can be sent to China. Once we finish the 4th test, the first full week of the following month, CHI will receive notification that we have completed this part. We will work hard to get this done and out of the way as soon as possible! This is part of the new Hague Adoption Convention requirements. Everyone adopting internationally is required to do this.

On March 11, 2008, we received our "China Program Service Plan" explaining who will do what parts of the adoption. This is just something to file.

Notaries

On March 5, 2008, I had Janet at work do my employment letter and had Brian notarize it. Brian gets to notarize a lot of our paperwork.

We mailed the reference letter information to Earl on March 6, 2008. Also, this day we received Tony's verification of self-employment letter from Glenn.

March 7, 2008, we received a letter from CHI that they received our money and we should receive our education package soon.

References and More Forms!

I delivered all the materials to Dick at NCHS on February 25, 2008.

On February 29, 2008, I picked up the signed forms, agency license copy and other forms from Dick.

March 1, 2008, we mailed the adoption agreement and other forms to CHI/KC along with the next payment which includes the cost of some required educational materials. We also mailed reference letter information to Don, Ken, Tim and Kathy.