[Jennifer T.]

Hi everyone,

My agency doesn't make referrals without the I-171H which I'm still waiting on because my homestudy took forever. I'm starting to get worried about the Hague. Currently it's taking 2 months for the referral of a baby girl with my agency.

What is the normal waiting time for a referral? I feel good about my agency. They have a great rep but I'm afraid I won't have a referral in time.

I'd appreciate PMs from people who can recommend agencies with short referral times that are good agencies.

Thanks,
Jennifer

[dspakowsky]

My agency used to give girl referrals in 1 week - they did both times for us. But now they're at a 6+ week wait for girls. I think there are so many families that started the Guatemalan program in the Spring, so the wait is getting longer.

You won't bee too late though!

[Disneycrazed]

We also had quite a wait for a baby girl. we waited a little over two months. It sounds like it is getting quite typical for a longer wait.

[becky]

Daphne is right, many agencies have had an influx of applications this spring due to the Hague issues looming.

The delays in PGN have also created a situation where many attorneys are not able to take in any new children because there is no room in their foster homes.

These two issues have led to an increase in wait times for many agencies.

[mac308]

We waited over six months for our referral, so 2 months doesn't sound bad to me

Megan

[dspakowsky]

[quote=becky] The delays in PGN have also created a situation where many attorneys are not able to take in any new children because there is no room in their foster homes. QUOTE]

That's very interesting. That though never occured to me. But that must cause a strain on all their resources - foster moms, medical visits, not to mention $.

Come on PGN! Let us out

[with_werty]

Jennifer,

Our agency coordinator told us 4 to 8 weeks for a girl and other people at our agency who are getting referrals now have generally been waiting around 6 weeks. I've heard of one 7 week wait and one 4 week wait.

[wertygirl]

When we started in January there was no wait. Now our agency says 4-8 weeks (for a boy or girl) and it looks like most people are receiving them around 6 weeks.

[Mindybeth6]

We waited two weeks for our referrla after being 100% paper ready. Our agency DOES give out referrals early is you are CLOSE to being paper ready. It seems like the wait times are increasing lately and I don't know if it just by chance or if something is causing it. It does make complete sense to me that since the adoptions right now are taking longer to complete...that this puts a strain on foster mothers and hogars...so that definately could be playing into it. The wait is tough...very tough. But I wouldn't worry about the hague. I don't think that will be an issue for you at all.

Hugs

[newnan]

We were also told 4-8 weeks...

[Pipercub]

Our agency told us 2 months to get a referral, and that they didnt' put you on the list until you were completely paper ready. But then there was all of a sudden alot of births and we got our referral before we got our I-171H. I think agencies give you their very best estimate, but then circumstances totally out of their control can make the wait shorter or longer without anyone anticipating it.

[Guatemomtobe]

I had a choice of 2 baby girl referrals within 2 days of being paper ready. I have been very happy with my agency so far. Excellent communication. They say that they don't currently have a wait for girls or boys.

PM me if you want the information.

Susan

[Maria'sMom]

We were told 1 - 3 months for a baby girl, and we received our referral 6 weeks after getting our 171h.

Good luck! I know the wait is very hard. But I do not think you have to worry about any Hauge issues.