The process is long, and will involve a lot of patience and prayer. We appreciate your prayers and support as we anxiously and eagerly wait to meet our new little family member. Here is a preview of what the process will look like:
Application to Agency: 1 week (complete)
Contract with Agency: (complete)
Orientation with Agency: 1 day (complete)
Home Study: 2-3 months (complete)
Meeting 1: August 8, 2011 (complete)
Meeting 2: August 23, 2011 (complete)
Final Meeting: August 30, 2011 (complete)
Dossier Completion: Paperwork to be completed for Ethiopia. To be redone for Uganda. Must be completed prior to referral. (complete and accepted on April 2, 2012 for Ethiopia - complete and accepted on December 13, 2012 for Uganda).
Dossier Authentication and Translation: The adoption agency will forward our dossier to the U.S. department of State and the Ugandan Embassy for authentication and translation. (in process as of January 3, 2013).
Referral Process: 2 to 6 months
This begins the long wait. The wait for child referral begins after the dossier is in Uganda. Once referred, we will receive photos, medical information, and child's background information, including any known family history. Once we accept the referral, the agency will submit our dossier for approval, and acceptance for adoption finalization.
1st Trip to Uganda: 1 - 3 weeks
Once we have received a recommendation for adoption to be finalized, we will travel to Uganda to appear before the court. We will have the opportunity to spend several days with our child and start family bonding.
2nd Trip to Uganda: 5-8 weeks later - for 1 - 3 weeks
Our child comes home! After completing U.S. Embassy immigration requirements, we will bring baby home to join our family forever.
Post Adoption Reporting: Months 3, 6, and 12, then yearly until age 18
