We Are Working on the Next Step!

We are still waiting on the rest of our referral documents but are working on our next step in our paperwork so we are set when we get the information.  Our next step is to fill out an application called the I800.  This application goes back to US Homeland Security (USCIS) for approval.  The first time we applied to USCIS, it was a request for approval for us to adopt from Colombia.  Now, we are requesting approval to adopt these specific kids!  So, here are our next steps.  According to our agency, we will probably travel near the end of March or first part of April!

- Receive the referral documents we are currently waiting for and submit the I800 to USCIS
- It is estimated that we will receive approval within 10-20 days.
- Upon approval, we will submit a form called DS230 to the Colombian Embassy.
- It is estimated that we will receive approval within 1-2 weeks.
- Upon approval, we will receive a document called Article 15.
- Article 15 allows us to ask for travel dates and then wait to receive them.
- When our travel dates are set and we book our flights, then we have to get a Special Visitor Visa since we are adopting internationally.  The Colombian Consulate for our region is in Los Angeles.  We have to request this in person so we will be off to CA!
- Then we travel!!
- The second day we are in Colombia, on either a Monday or Tuesday, we will meet our kids!!  This is
called Presentation Day!  The kids will be with us from then on in the hotel, while we work on the adoption proceedings.  This will take 6 to 10 weeks.

International adoption is a crazy journey, but we are so excited we are getting to this point and everything has gone so smoothly!