Total Expenses So Far: $21,531
Select country (Korea) (11/14/05)
Select agency (11/17/05)
Tell our families
Receive preliminary application
Preliminary App filed (12/5/05):
Fill in application
Photo of us, photo of house
Write medical statement, elaborating on treatment for depression
Line up four non-relative references
One copy of tax returns from past three years
Pay $200 fee
Notarized adoption services agreement $10
Fedex to Agency $15
Receive Big App (12/15/05)
Receive Korea
Adoption Guidebook
Home Study Paperwork:
(1/19/06)
S: Complete "Personal Data" form with 67 essay questions
S: 1 photocopy birth certificate
S: Complete Authorization of Release of Information - Employer
Verification
S: Criminal Record Statement
S: LiveScan fingerprint form (for State of California: criminal
and child abuse index)
S: Schedule LiveScan fingerprinting appointments
S: LiveScan fingerprints done, pay $65
S: Medical Exam, including HIV and TB tests
S: Medical Report filled out by doctor
T: Complete 51 essay question "Personal Data" form
T: 1 photocopy birth certificate
T: Complete Authorization of Release of Information - Employer
Verification
T: Criminal Record Statement
T: LiveScan fingerprint form (for State of California: criminal
and child abuse index)
T: Schedule LiveScan fingerprinting appointments
T: LiveScan fingerprints done, pay $65
T: Medical Exam, including HIV and TB tests
T: Medical Report filled out by doctor
Complete detailed Financial Statement
1 photocopy marriage license
Photo of baby's room
Map & directions to home
Copy all, keep for records
FedEx packet to agency, $15 (1/12/06)
All 4 non-relative references return 3-page, 10-essay
questionnaires directly to agency (1/28/06)
Home Study Part 2:
(4/3/2006)
Receive & pay invoice for home study $3066
(2/1/06)
Schedule social worker visits (2/10/06)
Childproof house (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, outlet
covers) $40
Social worker visit #1 (joint) (2/21/06)
Acceptable Medical Conditions Form (2/27/06)
From that details how "open" an adoption we are willing to
consider (2/27/06)
Social worker visit #2 (S only) (2/28/06)
Social worker visit #3 (T only) (2/28/06)
Sign up for module 1 & 2 of parenting class
Book travel for parenting class in Southern California
Modules 1 & 2 of agency parenting class (in SoCal)
$500 (1/21/06)
Receive 2 completed, certified, notarized copies of Home
Study (4/3/2006)
Agency sends Home Study to Korea
(HSTK) (4/7/2006)
Sign up for modules 3 & 4 of agency parenting class
Take modules 3 & 4 of agency
parenting class (4/9/06)
I-600A filed with US-CIS (Advanced
Processing of Orphan Petition for Visa) (4/6/2006):
I-600A form
Copy certified Home Study
S: Photocopy of birth certificate
T: Photocopy of birth certificate
Photocopy of marriage license
Copy of most recent federal tax return
Proof of medical insurance
$545 fee + $140 for FBI fingerprints = $685
Cover letter
Copy all for records
Mail to US-CIS San Francisco
FBI Fingerprinting:
US-CIS acknowledges receipt of I-600A (4/12/06)
FBI Fingerprinting appt. scheduled (different than LiveScan
fingerprints)
FBI Fingerprinting completed, for each (4/28/06)
Receive I-171H (Approval of I-600A) (5/11/06)
Pick baby name
Arrange for medical evaluation of referral
Receive Referral (12/29/06)
Child's presentation letter
Child's information
Photographs
Medical records
Confidential background information
Medical evaluation of Referral by Oakland Children's Hospital (1/10/2007)
File Referral Acceptance Paperwork: ($140 + $12)
(1/6/2007)
Child Information Transmittal
Pay invoice for $17,500
3 Placement Agreements - all notarized
T: 4 Statements of Adoption (for child's Korean passport) - all
notarized
3 Travel Option forms
1 Foreign Travel Release - notarized
T: 2 Affidavit re INS Vaccination Requirements
T: 2 I-864 Affidavit of Support for Immigration
S: 2 I-864A Contract between Sponsor and Household Member
Copy of entire last year tax return, with ALL attachments
Copy of all last year W-2 and 1099 forms
T: Photocopy of birth certificate (again)
S: Photocopy of birth certificate (again)
T: Copy of 2006 paystubs
S: Copy of 2006 paystubs
Photocopy of marriage license (again)
Photocopy everything for records
FedEx to agency (1/6/2007)
Receive child's "legals" from Korea (in English &
Korean): (1/22/2007)
Affirmation and Oath Certificate (attests these documents are true
and correct)
Certificate of the Guardian (certifies Korean agency was guardian)
Statement of Guardianship (transfers guardianship from Korean
agency to American agency)
Extract of Family Register (birth certificate equivalent)
I-600 visa petition form filed w/ US-CIS: (1/25/2007)
I-600 form
Copy of I-171H
Copies of child's legals
Originals of child's legals, with note and SASE envelope
requesting they be returned
Copy of child report
Copy of child photos
Copy of most recent 1040 tax form
Copy of I-864
Copy of I-864A
Letter with visa cable instructions
Fedex to US-CIS San Francisco $25
Meanwhile, the Korean agency works away:
Our application is translated
Korean agency applies for Emigration Permit with Korean Ministry
of Health and Welfare
Ministry approves Emigration Permit (aka "EP")
Agency gets I-171 (I-600 approval) cable from US Embassy in Seoul
Baby tested for Hepatitis B & HIV
Visa physical for baby
Submit application for baby's IR-4 Visa
Resubmit our I-600 visa petition after US-CIS screws up
(2/9/2007)
Buy baby gear (3/17/07)
Baby CPR & safety class (2/17/07)
Line up a regular pediatrician (3/5/07)
Line up a pediatric cardiologist (3/14/07)
Investigate childcare options (3/17/07)
Line up Daycare (5/25/07)
Get on preschool waiting list (1/5/07)
Setup nursery(3/19/07)
Get life insurance for both
Write wills with statements of guardianship wishes (both)
Set up trust
S: Get pre-approval family leave with HR (1/24/2007)
Buy gifts for foster family, Korean agency staff
(3/16/07)
Make travel arrangements to Korea ($185 plus 240,000 frequent flyer
miles) (3/13/07)
Wrap-up job for a 15-week leave (3/12/07-3/16/07)
Finalize leave plans with HR (3/15/07)
Travel to Korea (3/19/07 - 3/25/07)
Meet both foster mothers (3/21/07, 3/22/07,
3/23/07)
In-Korea pre-flight medical exam (3/22/07)
Go to US Embassy in Seoul to process Class-B Waiver (acceptance of
medical condition) 3/22/07
Get the final Visa paperwork (3/22/07)
Take custody of child! (3/23/07)
Long plane ride back to USA (3/25/07)
USA Medical Evaluations
Add baby to my health insurance (3/28/07)
Evaluation by regular pediatrician (3/30/07)
US immunizations (3/30/07)
Evaluation by pediatric cardiologist (4/18/07)
Receive Placement Confirmation Notice from Agency
(3/28/06)
Receive baby's Green Card in mail (4/16/07)
Get social security number under baby's Korean Name as permanent
resident (4/27/07)
Receive post-placement packet in mail from
Agency(4/15/07)
Post-placement visits from social worker: (9/12/07)
Visit #1 (4/28/07)
Visit #2 (6/30/07)
Visit #3 (7/26/07)
Visit #4 (9/12/07)
Create and file child "progress reports" with 8-18 photos each, for Korean
agency and government, and a letter with photos for foster family (9/12/07)
1-month progress report (4/28/07)
3-month progress report (6/30/07)
4-month progress report (7/26/07)
6-month progress report (9/12/07)
File US Physician's Examination Report with Agency
(4/17/07)
File Adoption Finalization Paperwork in our county in California (5/1/07) ($20)
Form ADOPT-200 (Adoption Request) (5/1/07)
Form ADOPT-210 (Adoption Agreement) (5/1/07)
Form ADOPT-215 (Adoption Order) (5/1/07)
Form ADOPT-230 (Adoption Expenses) (5/1/07)
RE-File Finalization Paperwork the State changed in July '07 (ARGH!) (11/13/07)
Form ADOPT-210 (Adoption Agreement) (11/13/07)
Form ADOPT-215 (Adoption Order) (11/3/07)
Finalize Adoption in County Court
Receive "Consent to Adoption" from agency (11/2/07) Schedule court hearing (coming in December '07!)- Adoption finalization court hearing (Munchkin is now a US citizen, and his
American name is now his legal name!)
- Have a HUGE Party to celebrate!
- Send agency/Korea copy of child's adoption decree (child is no longer
considered a Korean citizen)
- Send adoption announcements
Secure proof of US citizenship for child:
- Complete & file N-600 with US-CIS, pay fee
- Receive Certificate of Citizenship
- File passport application
- Receive passport
- Apply to SSA to get status changed from resident alien to citizen, SS#
name changed (passport is proof)
Start the process all over again for kid #2!
I'm so sorry they screwed things up! I know how hard it is waiting while you know someone else is caring for your son. Raise as much hell as possible and make them fix it!
Posted by: Lisa | Feb 10, 2007 at 06:29 AM
You have GOT to be kidding me! They deal with this everyday and they can't figure it out. I am SO frustrated for you!
Hopefully you sort it out quickly.
Posted by: lucKy #2 | Feb 10, 2007 at 07:42 AM
that is brutal. can you go somewhere and see someone face to face? I wonder if a day off from work would help -- but I know nothing about this process - just seems like face time would help. so so sorry.
Posted by: Jb | Feb 10, 2007 at 09:29 AM
I am so sorry to hear about this. We had the same incompetence at our USCIS office over the I-171H. Truly, I think guidance counselors are telling the kids about to fail out not to worry - they can work for USCIS!!!
Best of luck!
Posted by: irshlas | Feb 10, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Can you walk it in and go over it with someone? Someone in your agency should have direct access. My agency called for me over at San Jose when we had questions. It sucks that you have to go through this now. So sorry.
Posted by: Tina | Feb 10, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Ugh!!!
I'm so sorry! And SO angry on your and Sweetpea's behalf!!
I hope you're able to sort it out quickly!
Posted by: WonderMama | Feb 11, 2007 at 12:12 PM
OMFG! I am stunned that you are going through this! You are one of the most organized women I know...of COURSE they f*ckied up to the hilt on this. God...just look at the bar on the right with all the check list items? AS IF you'd forget something. Geez. I hope that this works itself out as fast as all hell so you and your DH can go get that little cutie pie and bring him home where he belongs.
(hug)
Posted by: linda | Feb 11, 2007 at 10:23 PM
What a complete pain!!!!! How can people mess this up so badly???
Something like this just happened with local friends adopting from China. I don't know the specifics of their situation, but they somehow got the director of their adoption agency involved and she helped smooth things over...somehow...I hope that this can be resolved quickly!!
Posted by: Louise | Feb 12, 2007 at 03:23 PM
How infuriating! Is this something you can do in person? If so, I would go to the office in person and make a big stink out of it and see if you can't get it expedited. Or, if you have to do it over the phone, keep talking to different people until you get someone who is competent enough to help you get it done right and done quickly.
Posted by: Summer | Feb 12, 2007 at 05:01 PM
Oh man, that SUCKS :(
Posted by: erinberry | Feb 12, 2007 at 09:01 PM
Wow. What an incredible set of experiences you've had. I'm new to your site and reviewing it has left me speechless. I've added you to my blogroll and will continue to follow your progress. I wish you only the best. You have more than earned it!
Posted by: Pamela | Feb 12, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Yes, that fucking sucks, I'm so sorry and hope things get squared away quickly for you.
Posted by: Kimmer | Feb 13, 2007 at 07:29 AM
Nothing to offer but empathetic outrage. A-holes. I know you will get them to get things fixed. You are a resourceful woman after all.
Posted by: Amber | Feb 13, 2007 at 09:35 AM
I'm so sorry. That really, really blows.
Posted by: Ali | Feb 13, 2007 at 10:00 AM
They did the same thing to us in 2004 when the fees went up. I LOATHE the USCIS. They are stupid bureaucrats and it practically takes a connection to a senator's office to get a timely I-171 these days.
Posted by: Erin | Feb 13, 2007 at 11:25 AM
This sounds a lot like our experience getting the INS to issue a green card for my husband... crucial difference, of course, was that my husband was already here. But it involved things like them losing his passport, being late, no end of hassles.
:( I'm so sorry -- three weeks must seem an eternity under the circumstances. I'd definitely call your senator or representative if you haven't already.
Posted by: Shelley | Feb 14, 2007 at 05:56 AM
I CANNOT stand incompetent people let alone agencies/companies etc. that can't seem to do their damn job. I'm so sorry that this is prolonging your wait to get your boy. Do you want me to call them and rip them a new one? It would be my pleasure! Good Luck!
Posted by: robin | Feb 14, 2007 at 04:11 PM
(*Inarticulate steaming rage*)
--Bugs
Posted by: Dead Bug | Feb 14, 2007 at 06:48 PM
UUUGH! That totally sucks! I am so sorry!
Umm.. and it is clearly an example of what a bad blog reader I am that I only just found out you got your referral! WHOHOOHOO! Dang! Sweet baby boy!
Now email me the photo, pretty puleeeze!
Posted by: Amyesq | Feb 15, 2007 at 05:11 PM