Though this is my third international adoption, it is my first to accomplish without a placement agency in this country walking me through the steps. Fortunately there are many families in San Antonio, in this same boat and so we are all gleaning from one another. One family in particular - the Williamson's have done several Haiti adoption and they have given us so much comfort and help along the way.
I have lists from Hope for Orphans, the Williamson's, gov't websites and HCRM that detail all the docs/steps needed to complete our dossier. Each list is a little different from the other. So last night I complied them altogether and I have listed them below. (This is mainly for the families in this boat with me so they can see the list we are working from). When everything in the list below is written in green they must each (except for a few) be sent to the Secretary of State (in the State of the notary) for State Authentication (which according to gov't sites is for Regular Certification and NOT an apostille - but there is confusion bc families who previously adopted from Haiti are saying "apostille"). According to the gov't websites, the next step - since Haiti is a non-Hague country - is Authentication by the U.S. State Dept. But according to families who have adopted from Haiti previously, the State Authentication is the only authentication step needed. I'm waiting on clarification of this today. In any case, after the authentication step(s) are completed I send the docs to be translated into French. Have no idea how long that usually takes, but that is a lot of docs to have translated! Then the final step (on our end) is to send certain docs to the Haitian Consulate for legalization. Some lists say I only need to submit 4 docs, others say more... will get that cleared up soon. Then I have to make FIVE copies of the entire dossier - which is more copies than our previous adoptions required AND the dossier will be twice the size as our previous dossiers because of each page needing a French translation.... We're talking crazy huge dossier!!! That is a lot of copies to be made... WOWZA!
Okay - here is the compiled list:
1. Notarized Application Letter. Letter requesting to adopt a child from Haiti.
I have lists from Hope for Orphans, the Williamson's, gov't websites and HCRM that detail all the docs/steps needed to complete our dossier. Each list is a little different from the other. So last night I complied them altogether and I have listed them below. (This is mainly for the families in this boat with me so they can see the list we are working from). When everything in the list below is written in green they must each (except for a few) be sent to the Secretary of State (in the State of the notary) for State Authentication (which according to gov't sites is for Regular Certification and NOT an apostille - but there is confusion bc families who previously adopted from Haiti are saying "apostille"). According to the gov't websites, the next step - since Haiti is a non-Hague country - is Authentication by the U.S. State Dept. But according to families who have adopted from Haiti previously, the State Authentication is the only authentication step needed. I'm waiting on clarification of this today. In any case, after the authentication step(s) are completed I send the docs to be translated into French. Have no idea how long that usually takes, but that is a lot of docs to have translated! Then the final step (on our end) is to send certain docs to the Haitian Consulate for legalization. Some lists say I only need to submit 4 docs, others say more... will get that cleared up soon. Then I have to make FIVE copies of the entire dossier - which is more copies than our previous adoptions required AND the dossier will be twice the size as our previous dossiers because of each page needing a French translation.... We're talking crazy huge dossier!!! That is a lot of copies to be made... WOWZA!
Okay - here is the compiled list:
1. Notarized Application Letter. Letter requesting to adopt a child from Haiti.
(Each family creates a small formal request for IBESR) -
WRITTEN - WILL NOTARIZE today!
2. Certified copy of Birth Certificate on Adoptive Father
Billy's arrived - has been sent back to KY for State Authentication
3. Certified copy of Birth Certificate on Adoptive Mother.
Billy's arrived - has been sent back to KY for State Authentication
3. Certified copy of Birth Certificate on Adoptive Mother.
Waiting on mine.
Waiting on this.
5. Certified copy of your Divorce Decree(s), if any.
NOT APPLICABLE TO US!!!
DONE!!!!
7.. Notarized Declaration and Certificate Concerning the State of Health of Prospective Adoptive Parents for each spouse.
Had exam and blood work done today. Should have notarized letters mid-week next week.
8. Notarized Police Letter for Adoptive Father - Done!
9. Notarized Police Letter for the Adoptive Mother. Done!
9. Notarized Police Letter for the Adoptive Mother. Done!
10. Notarized Psychological Evaluation.
11. Two Notarized letters of Reference addressed to “The Officials of the Republic of Haiti”.
HAVE one in hand. Other one coming this week.
12. One Notarized letter of reference from church addressed to "The Officials of the Republic of Haiti"
12. One Notarized letter of reference from church addressed to "The Officials of the Republic of Haiti"
Will have this week.
13. Notarized Bank Letter.
Done!
14. Notarized Particulars of Property.
- not sure if this is really needed and don't know what it is.
15. Notarized Employment Letter for Billy.
17. 3 passport type photos attached to Certification of Pictures for each adult. (These DO NOT have to be processed like the other documents – just notarized, but must go to Haiti with your Dossier.)
18. Copy of most recent taxes (Does NOT have to be processed like other documents)
19. After you received the I-171H from the USCIS office please also submit a copy of the approval attached to the enclosed I-171H Certification Cover Sheet.
OUR I-171H SHOULD BE ON ITS WAY WITHIN 10 BUSINESS DAYS!
20. Notarized Power of Attorney - written and will notarize today!
21. G-28 form, signed by both parents. Two lists mention the need for this form. Hope to find out today if it is necessary. If so I think I just print it from online and sign it - no biggie!
LATER IN THE ADOPTION PROCESS WE WILL ALSO NEED:
1. I 600 form
2. I-864 form
3. Last 3 years income tax returns and supporting W-2's
4. Current pay stub
5. Payments to HCRM
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