The Dossier

I sat down this morning to work on the dossier. I do it in fits and starts as time allows. The time it takes to put together the Ethiopia dossier in contrast to the China dossier is less. The only trouble we are really having this time around is with the home study. We are not accustomed to working with a home study agency and an adoption agency. The past two times we have done this our home study was done by our adoption agency. It’s so much easier that way. This time around we have had to get so many separate documents for our home study agency. Our poor friends and neighbors have written references and had them notarized three times now…once for our adoption agency, once for our home study agency and now for our dossier.

The other hold up we have had is in our physicals. We had two different forms, once again one for our home study and one for the dossier. Matt and I go to different GPs but both have been booked solid. Getting in for physicals and some blood work required by our home study agency has taken awhile. I had my physical and blood work last week and got my letter from my GP on Monday. Matt goes in another week and a half to his GP. Once his physical and paperwork is complete then our social worker should release the draft copy of our homestudy for our adoption agency to approve.

Other than that it has been so far so good. Here’s what required and where we are so far.

Document Checklist for Ethiopia Dossier:

· Letter to the Board of Toukoul
· Family Registration Form
· Financial Information
· Letter from Bank {DONE}
· Criminal Clearance {GOT TWO COPIES—NEED TO RETURN FOR ONE MORE COPY}
· Two Letters of Reference
· Letter from Employer {DONE}
· Medical Form {SHANNON’S DONE/NEED MATT’S}
· Marriage Certificate {DONE}
· Birth Certificates {DONE}
· Introduction Letter {DONE}
· Home Study Report {HOME VISITS DONE—WAITING FOR DRAFT COPIES}
· Obligation of Home Study Agency
· Deed of Home
· Power of Attorney {DONE}
· USCIS Approval I-171h
· Passport Photos
· Family Pictures
· Adoption Education Certificates