[apetry26]

Hi all,

Just wanted any and all opinions, experiences, advice, etc. regarding the use of Adoption Supervisors... I received an email from our SW from the homestudy agency and she indicated that our paperwork was received at the Washingtion, D.C. consulate on Nov. 16 (Apparently sent on Oct 28) and 3 very important documents were missing (the homestudy and both FBI Clearance reports)... HELLLLOOOO... Those are not the documents that a person wants floating around so that every &%$@# can get your very personal ID information. Anyway, it seems like everytime we ask for an update- there is never any progressss.. Never any good news. My husband and I wanted to visit the baby in December, but now we can't because the DNA won't be done. I am so very frustrated and was wondering if hiring an adoption supervisor or even our own attorney at this point would be feasilble. I don't know much about it - What do you suggest? Sorry so long..

[csw]

Hi
Adoption Supervisors helps those whose cases have already started in Guatemala and where they are being lied to by their agency or their agency/lawyer seems very slow, people in PGN for months on end etc..
If you are having problems with your homestudy agency losing documents, that is certainly not a good thing! We had to send all of our doc's to D.C. ourselves..in fact I went there in person several times. Otherwise..it took 6 weeks for them to authenticate our documents back in 03 and I went in person in 04 and it was done in 2 weeks (had to drop off and pick up in person).
The 2 lawyers that make up AS live in Guatemala. If your POA is done, and your dossier is in Guatemala, I am confused because normally it is sent to the Guatemalan Consulate etc..before it goes to Guatemala..I managed to get DNA without a POA (dont' know how that was done) but my dossier had been there for months up until that point..we were told our POA was sent the end of June and it wasnt for 5 more months..

Anyways..I am guessing your homestudy agency and Guatemalan adoption agency are one in the same?
I think its a bit early to hire but others can chime in here..your dossier needs to be authenticated? And then sent back to Guatemala, translated and such....hope you get DNA soon..Is it an agency policy that you can't visit before DNA? I visited before DNA and in fact was supposed to foster the entire time right from newborn on (then the Hague happened which we were never told about)..most don't rec. visiting before DNA mainly because if the mother is going to change her mind thats when it usually happens..

Feel free to PM me,

EDITED TO REMOVE FEE BASE SERVICE NAME

[Mariais5]

Why can you not visit until DNA is done? Is that an agency policy? We visited before our DNA.

[kauai2k]

Wow - who has your dossier? And if your homestudy agency sent it - why is the home study one of those documents that are missing?>!$%! Seems pretty crazy to me. DO you still have a copy for your own records of your entire dossier? Did the agency tell you which documents seem to be missing other than the home study? I would be frantic and not at all happy... You must keep pressing them for more info. Have you talked to them in person?

diane

PS - FYI our agency policy is NO TRAVEL prior to a DNA match. too risky

[MLRJ]

I am confused here too- why is the HS missing if the homestudy agency sent it to the consulate???? That is not good- you can get DNA without the POA- you just need the G-28 and your 171H- but many attorneys won't get started until they get the POA. I think it is too early to hire AS- as it seems your process has not really begun in Guatemala?

I know how hard it is to be patient though- hope things get moving!

MLRJ

[apetry26]

I'll try to clarify this. It is confusing. My homestudy agency is differenct from my referring agency. We started our adoption for Russia w/ one agency. When we decided to switch to Guatamala, we then had to change agencies, but the paperwork was all forwarded to the referring agency. That agency then forwarded the dossier to, I was told in an email the "Consulate in Washington D.C.), but now important docs are missing. We signed a POA in Sept. when we received the referral and they are just now getting these docs sent out. I can't get any straight forward information from either of the two agencies. I don' know if they have a policy that inhibits travel before DNA- they always said "we don't suggest it". I have a bad "gut feeling" about this already, but I don't know what to do or who I can get to help. This is all foreign territory to me. If you have any suggestions- they are welcomed. Thank you. Angie

[praying4rlittl1]

Angie,

Trying to get a handle on what happened. So when you switched agencies, the first agency forwarded your paperwork to your current agency. Then that agency sent it on to be authenticated in DC right? Were the papers missing already in DC? Is it in Guatemala or still stuck in DC?

You should be able to get another copy of the homestudy. I know our agency keeps it all on computer so they can just print off another one. But the FBI reports? Not sure on that one.

My word huh?!

[oldbear]

I'm wondering if the travel aspect arises because if the DNA didn't match then you'd have had a potentially wasted trip if it could not be resolved speedily or at all. In which case it might be a sensible precaution by the agency. No doubt someone more knowledgeable can clarify this.

It sounds like you're saying your new Agency lost the paperwork or it was mislaid at the Embassy. I'm assuming they included a covering letter/form with the documents saying what was sent? If so then the Agency could at least confirm they were sent. In that case the Consulate lost them and who knows if they will be found or if they will look.... You migh tbe better off biting the bullet and sending new copies.

I echo the above - it should be easy to get a copy Homestudy. I'm curious though as to why you had FBI reports - we only had to submit State Police Reports and I know from experience it doesnt take long to replace them - at least in my state

[csw]

Hi Oldbear..For Guatemala we had to do local, state and FBI clearances...in addition to the BCIS background check they do..so we were fingerprinted numerous times at numerous places!

[JohnnaMJH]

We only did state criminal background checks (MO) and then our fingerprints for our I171h.

[oldbear]

CSW et al - I'm not wishing to hijack this thread but I'm wondering why you had to have three clearances and several fingerprintings compared to my one? Is it to do with your state or what?

I'm slightly concerned as we've only been asked for our state police clearance and one lot of fingerprints. Why the difference?

[delaware1]

Old Bear-
Do you have your I171-H?
I had to be fingerprinted by our State Police for the home study, and also by CIS for the I171-H.
-Kathleen

[DPline]

Originally Posted by oldbear

CSW et al - I'm not wishing to hijack this thread but I'm wondering why you had to have three clearances and several fingerprintings compared to my one? Is it to do with your state or what?

I'm slightly concerned as we've only been asked for our state police clearance and one lot of fingerprints. Why the difference?

At least when we were in process last year, some states would not issue state police clearance, and people had to get FBI clearance instead. And some agencies wanted both to "cover all the bases."

We personally had to be fingerprinted separately for our 171H and state police clearance letter.


apetry2 - Sorry I don't have any additional suggestions, but I pray you are able to get this sorted out!

[beachdreams]

We had to have a state clearance for our home study and then FBI clearance for our dossier and for the USCIS. (2 separate ones)

[apetry26]

I spoke to the 2nd agency a couple of hours ago and they said that everything that was to come from the first agency (homestudy and FBI reports) is what is missing. I have two calls in to that SW- no response yet. MY DH says he is walking into the office tomorrow and demanding all of our paperwork and we will take care of it ourself from here on out.. I know they have copies of everything, but now we have to have the other copies notarized, apostilled, sent to the consulate- DELAY, DELAY, DELAY. I made it known that I wasn't happy at all about the situation. As far as visiting goes. I asked if there was a policy against it- they said NO- I said Ok then I understand the risks involved, but I am still going. Sorry I had to vent.. I usually don't, but sometimes it's necessary and no body really understands but you guys.. Thanks. Angie