Happy 14th Birthday Athulia!

Happy 13th Birthday to our "petite, feisty, active" Megan!

Happy 6th Birthday Daphna!

Success at the U.S. Embassy!

Our appointment at the U.S. Embassy ended with "Congratulations!"  Only one baby step, but we will take each one we get.

Sedene Passed His National Exams!

On to the next grade.  We are so proud of you!  Keep up the good work.

Surprise! It's your birthday! Happy 12th Donalson - so glad we got to spend it with you!

Look Who's 5! Happy Birthday Grace!

Josh is 10!

Happy 16th Birthday Sedene!

I'll find a way...

"When you're adopted, your parents looked out at the whole world and picked YOU"

The Road Ahead

IBESR Approval and Dispensation (where we are now - since 9/14/12)

What Happens: Case is assigned a number and reviewed by social worker, lawyer and other government personnel specializing in certain areas. Questions must be resolved before moving to the next person. IBESR submits the file to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and the MOJ gives it to the President for approval. Once approved by President Martelly, notice of approval is published in a government newspaper (Le Moniteur). MOJ gives the file back to IBESR for final approval by the IBESR director.

Estimated Timing: 2-18 months

First Required trip to Haiti/Parquet/I-600 filing

What Happens: Prospective parents appear and sign papers at the local court (where relinquishment occurred) and the Civil Court "Parquet" in Port-au-Prince. File I-600 and Adjudicate Orphan Status First paperwork at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office in Port-au-Prince. Prospective parents visit with their child(ren) and their child(ren)'s caregivers and spend quality time in their environment.

Estimated Timing: 2-4 weeks after IBESR approval/Dispensation

Civil Court/Parquet

What Happens: Civil Court "Parquet" reviews the file and IBESR's recommendation and issues a judgment of adoption. The judgment is typed up by an office within the Civil Court and then hand-written/officially recorded in a Court Book. Transcription of the judgment is then done by Birth Certificate Officer to add adoptive parent's last name to the child's name.

Estimated Timing: 4-6 months

National Archives (NA) and Ministry of Justice (MOJ)

What Happens: The case is attested at the NA, a higher office than the Civil Court/Parquet. MOJ is the highest office. Once the MOJ has reviewed everything to insure it is complete and correct, they issue their stamp of approval.

Estimated Timing: 2-4 months

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

What Happens: Upon completion of NA/MOJ, cases go back to MOFA again before review and approval before going to the Ministry of Interior.

Estimated Timing: 4-6 weeks

Ministry of Interior (MOI)

What Happens: The MOI reviews the file and if approved, the Director of the MOI signs off. A child's passport cannot be issued until this signature is received.

Estimated Timing: 2-5 months

Passport Office
What Happens: Application for child's passport.
Estimated Timing: 2 weeks-3 months

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

What Happens: DHS interviews child's birth parent(s) or other family members. DHS may require clarification about a document or have questions. After DHS approval, the U.S. Consulate must review and grant approval. They sometimes request additional documentation.

Estimated Timing: 2 weeks-2 months

Child's Visa Medical Exam
Estimated Timing: 1-2 weeks

U.S. Consulate

What Happens: Consulate reviews the file and lets the creche/orphanage know if any questions or action is needed before they will issue the visa.

Estimated Timing: 2 weeks-2months

Family's Second Required Trip to Haiti

What Happens: Prospective parents appear at IBESR with the child and show the child's visa. IBESR provides a "travel authorization document" that will be required prior to departure. Spend a few days visiting and bonding with the child. Come home!

Estimated Timing: Any time after the child's visa is approved

3 years ago today - Happy Gotcha Day!

This one's for you Oma!

Megan at her Art Showcase