[CkJR4ever]

Hi! Everyone, Today we received a packet from china saying we were approved by the consulate in china.
It was very big and full of information. Alot of it was in Chiniese .It is alos gave us a case number. I hope this means we are getting close. I can use some good news.
The last 2 weeks have been rough. My dad passed away last week so I have been bummed out. Any way ! thanks for listening. And if anyone has information what this packet means please share.

Colleen

[SummerMommy]

We got our brown envelope yesterday and it was very exciting! I was a teensy bit disappointed to see that it was postmarked from Washington DC and not China though.

Summer

[sak9645]

You have received the famous "brown envelope."

The brown envelope is supposed to be sent out routinely by the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, as soon as it receives a cable from your USCIS office indicating that your I-600A has been approved.

The actual papers in the brown envelope are not that important at this point in your adoption process. You won't need them until you actually travel to China, complete your adoption, and then proceed to your U.S. Consulate appointment in Guangzhou. In fact, if you should lose them before you travel, your agency or your in-country guide could easily provide you with duplicates.

However, the simple fact that you received the packet is important, because it means that the Consulate employees are aware that you'll be showing up there with a child at some point, and that, if the child's paperwork is in order, it's OK for them to issue him/her a visa to enter the U.S.

If you do not receive a brown envelope from Guangzhou within a month or so of getting your 171-H approval, you should be sure to let your agency know, because it could mean that the Consulate did not receive a cable from your USCIS office.

Your agency will probably want to check with the Consulate to see if the cable has been received. In most cases, the cable will have been received, and the failure to send out a brown envelope will have been a simple oversight. However, if Guangzhou has not received a cable, your agency will need to contact the USCIS and get the cable issued/re-issued.

What you DON'T want is to arrive in Guangzhou with your child, only to find that the Consulate has no record of a cable being sent, indicating that your I-600A was approved. If this happens, you could be delayed in Guangzhou, since the Consulate won't issue a visa until your agency contacts your USCIS office and gets the cable sent/re-sent.

Sharon

[DKMA4]

I have no idea what the brown packet is for, but I wanted to say that I am sorry to hear about your father.

Amie

[CkJR4ever]

Thanks sharon for your help. now we at least have an idea our papers were looked at. the waiting period is making us crazy.

Colleen
nj

[sak9645]

Do remember that the brown envelope has nothing to do with CHINA'S part of the adoption process. It relates only to the U.S. government's part. Receiving the brown envelope means that the U.S. Consulate knows you'll be there someday soon.

The China Center for Adoption Affairs never sees the brown envelope, and it bears no relationship to the time frame of your referral and travel.

Sharon

[Lissa]

Hey Sharon!

Why would Summer mommy's packet have been sent by the U.S.? Mine came from Guangzou (I just murdered that spelling, but don't feel like looking it up as I have three cats on my lap as I type this so sorry... )

[CkJR4ever]

Hi! everyone, the outside of the brown enelope was from washington dc but the letter inside from china dated 2/16/05.

Colleen
ashley Rose ring's mom

[thundrrds]

Originally Posted by Lissa

Hey Sharon!

Why would Summer mommy's packet have been sent by the U.S.? Mine came from Guangzou (I just murdered that spelling, but don't feel like looking it up as I have three cats on my lap as I type this so sorry... )

Lissa; It comes from the US Consulate office located in Guangzhou.


Joanne

[Sheba]

Wow we got our brown envelope on Friday. It must be they are getting through the February LID's.

I know I was happy to see that big brown envelope. Congratulations to everyone else! Oh and I am sorry to hear about your dad!


Julie
dtc 1/31/05
lid 2/23/05

[thundrrds]

Originally Posted by Sheba

Wow we got our brown envelope on Friday. It must be they are getting through the February LID's.

Julie
dtc 1/31/05
lid 2/23/05

Julie; The mailing of the 'brown envelop' is based on your I171 and when that was processed. It's not based on your DTC or LID date.
We had our I171 in July, our brown envelop in early Sept and couldn't be DTC until the 1st week in Nov (due to when our 1st adoption had occured).

Joanne

[redat38]

Hi Everyone just wanted to add to the celebration of the Brown Envelopes we received ours this past Thursday. Yeah!!

[Sheba]

Thanks Joanne. I did not know that. And congratulations JANE!

Julie

[CHG]

I just want to point out there appears to be some discrepencies on the brown envelope, who gets them and when. I have yet to receive one. Here is the last message from the consulate dated Jan. 7th this year.

About the packet, we have sent it out on August to you, but it is probably lost on the way. We will send you another one, and it used to take 6 to 8 weeks for mailing.

We have yet to received it even though we have a case number. Our LID (nothing to do with US consulate) was last Oct. 14. Sooo........ we are expecting a referral in the next four weeks and still no package. Since I have our case number plus a copy of the consulate email, my agency tells me not to worry about the big brown envelope. :rolleyes:

[Sheba]

DO not worry. We told from the start that we may or may not receive one and that our agency can provide the same information. I am glad we got one! It just makes it feel more real now.

Julie