[ellasmommy]

We just realized that we have NO idea about this....

What exactly will happen the day after our embassy appointment? We were just told we'd pick up our baby's visa. So, do WE go to the embassy? Or does our attorney pick it up for us? If we DO have to pick it up ourselves, what does it involve??? I can't believe I haven't asked our agency this! We got so excited about having our appointment, that we haven't even thought about it! Please tell me!!!

Thanks!
Mary

[Guatemomtobe]

It depends on the agency and attorney. Whoever goes with you to the Embassy will be able to tell you if they are picking up the visa or if you need to return the next day and pick it up. From what I understand, you just have to go back to the Embassy at 3:30 the next day and they give it to you.

Your agency should definitely be able to tell you how this is handled.

Susan

[Hopingsoon]

My agency arranged for one person (DH) to go back to the embassy with an agency rep the day after the embassy visit around 4pm. We were there with a group of other adopting families, though. The agency arranged transportation, all DH had to do was show up in the lobby.

[JEA2005]

You will be given a receipt during your embassy visit and you (or your attorney / representative) will need this to pick up the visa the next day. For my first adoption, I picked it up personally, and for the second (late Feb this year) my attorney had a representative pick it up. Being the control freak that I am, I actually preferred picking it up myself! It was hard to sit and wait at the hotel last month (but everything worked out just fine). Best wishes to you and your family!!

[kardari]

Check with your agency on the way they do things, our attorneys assistant went with my DH to pick it up, it was a piece of cake, I wouldnt stress about picking up the visa, good luck to you.

[CEB]

We did the visa pick up ourselves (actually DH did it, I stayed in the hotel with DS). If your agency does not do it for you, it is not a big deal.

According to DH, you go back to the same entrance to the Embassy as the visa interview the day before and tell the guard you are there to pick up an adoption visa. They will usher into the same room as the day before and at 3:30 pm the window will open and they start calling out last names (so no point in getting there much before 3:20). When they call your name, go up to the window. In theory, you are supposed to show your receipt from the day before, although they did not ask DH for it (he had the receipt, a copy of our pink slip, our passports, but did not need anything). They handed him the baby's passport with the visa stapled into that - CAREFULLY CHECK THE VISA - make sure his/her name is spelled correctly and its the right type of visa (IR3 if you visited). If anything is wrong, raise it right then and there. If not, just go back to the hotel. Good luck!!

[ellasmommy]

Thanks everyone! We're so excited about our pickup trip. I appreciate your responses.....and I missed this forum SO much while it was down! Glad to see we're back up and running!

Mary