[ilona_tn]

Our agency sent us a scanned copy of the Protocolo. The top of the form has the PGN logo on it and then lists the C number, Notario, Menor, Madre Biologica, Adoptantes, Nacionalidad, Direccion, and Mandatario. It is a total of one page written in Spanish with the names of the minor, adoptive parents, and birthmother. Towards the bottom, there is an "OPINA" and "ARTICULOS". An Agente Auxiliar signed it at the bottom. The very last signature is the signature of Vo.Bo. Lic. Victor Hugo Barrios Barahona.

My question to those of you this far in the process...... Does this sound to you like the Protocolo? If so, where is the birthmother's final signature? Did you receive a copy of the Protocolo in English before making a final payment? Is it possible that this is a KICKOUT, rather than an OUT?

I will be asking my agency these questions also, but also would very much appreciate verification from those of you who have experience with this as adoptive parents. We are being asked to send a Cashier's Check at this time, so any feedback is much appreciated.

Ilona

[ilona_tn]

Bumping Up............

[EmmyLee]

IF it has PGN in a semi interesting print at the top, that is your PGN sign off. That is your out. The birthmother's signature is on a different piece of paper, but that one with Barrios' signature is a keeper, it is your out.

[ilona_tn]

Do you know if this is the Protocolo or is it just the PGN out? I thought the medical insurance companies are requiring the Protocolo (final decree of adoption) to add the baby to our medical insurance. How do I know that this OUT is not a KICKOUT?

[braedensmommy]

Hi,
I am looking at mine. This is NOT a protocolo but your sign-off from PGN. The final birth mom sign-off (protocolo) has nothing to do with PGN or Barrios. (Except of course that it is usually done after you exit PGN) It is a separate paper that is actually witnessed by a social worker, your lawyer. etc. I have both the Spanish and English translated version of the protocolo. Good luck!

[jeannecr]

I agree--it's your out of PGN document. The Protocolo is a separate document.

[Guatmom2006]

I can't say for sure, but maybe they just have the copy before the bmom signature? There is a copy of kickout (with the names whited out) on my blog (look up the post around 10/27) if you want to see what one looks like. I bet they look similar though. My kickout had some of that info, but it also lists the 2 previos as well. I'm pretty sure you're fine.

[ilona_tn]

Thank you so much everyone for clearing this up for me. The agency told me this is the Protocolo. I guess I need to ask for further documents prior to sending the final payment. Don't you think?

Ilona

[ilona_tn]

Kerry,

Thank you very much for posting a copy of the PGN kickout for everyone. Yes, ours looks similar to this but has much more writing on it. It is probably a favorable OUT, but I can't tell you how thankful I am that you posted your copy on your blog for me and others to see.

Didn't I read many times on this listserve and others that we should make sure we have a copy of the Protocolo, not the PGN OUT, prior to making final payment to the attorney?

Any advice?

Ilona

[EmmyLee]

Don't worry, it would not have Barrios' sig if it was not an out, but I do understand, I did the same thing when I got mine. It is your out.

You will get a copy of the spanish and english protocolo with your packet at pickup, that is what the medical people will want;

[jeannecr]

We made final payment upon getting out of PGN. I believe that's pretty standard. We didn't see the Protocolo until later.

[drasusi]

Our agency requires the final payment with PGN out, not protocolo. In a sense, they are protecting themselves, since it is with the protocolo that you legally become the parents. But remember that they are likely continuing to pay for foster care, so every day they delay cuts into the lawyer's profits....there is still incentive for them to finish the protocolo, bc, passport, and embassy appt with you....they want you home with your baby (perhaps for other motives) too!

[ilona_tn]

The KICKOUT that Kerry posted on her blog also had Barrios' signature on it, so I am not sure his signature makes it an automatic OUT. Our agency just told us that the document that was sent to us is the document that she sends out to all her clients and that the Protocolo and its translation is given to us at final pickup.

Ilona

[KayV]

The director, Barrios, signs all kickout and approvals, so his signature means nothing as to if a documents is an approval or a kickout. Many agencies require the final payment upon approval by PGN. Then, they get the birthmother to sign the protocolo and get the birth certificate for you. On your PGN paper, it should say somewhere FAVORABLE opinion, which means it is your PGN out/approval. The next page is usually the place where the attorneys sign and the birthmother sign, but I doubt many attorneys will go ahead with the birth certificate until they've been paid the last amount due.

KayV