[bblb]

Hi everyone,

I have been a lurker and sometimes poster for quite a while, and have learned so much from all of you--THANK YOU!

I'd love to talk to those who are just now starting the process or researching agencies. I know there are a lot of different opinions on this, but I'd love to hear from those who are going ahead. We are looking at Guatemala as well as a few other countries, but our heart is in Guatemala. Feel free to PM me! Thank you in advance and good luck to everyone at every stage of the process.

Have a great night,

Brandii

[meg1]

you may pm me - I am starting again for a second time

[polinski]

we just did fingerprints today.....if you have any questions pm me anytime.......i will say from what I have learned here and from my agency, if Guatemala is in your heart, you better get a move on


Good Luck

Chris

[AvonLady]

we have i 171 h and are on the referral list

[KMatthews]

we are completely paper ready our dossier is in Guat getting translated and on the referral waiting list. please feel free to PM anytime

[Clare'sMom]

Yup! We just finished ALL our paperwork!!! POA should be in Guat on Tuesday!!!

We have a current I71H (from our sons adoption)that expires in December but we are renewing it in July before the rates go up and just in case....

Our agency is still giving Guatemalan referals to 100% paperwork ready families only.... I'd get your ducks and I600 filled ASAP..

Who knows what will happen or when...

Best of Luck!! Ann

[Triton]

I just happened to catch your post and wanted to tell you to make sure to check with your agency or local USCIS BEFORE filing for your extension. Yes, prices are going up in July, BUT the USCIS also included a new provision for a 1-time only FREE extension of your I-600A starting in July also. The info and website is posted below (I hope this is okay)

"Note: If you already have an approved I-600A that is about to expire, and have not yet filed your I-600 petition, you can receive one free extension of your I-600A by filing a new I-600A without fee before the first expires." [from USCIS Fee Schedule Effective: July 30, 2007]

You can see the fee changes at
http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedoc...dule052907.pdf

(I hope that it is okay to post the web address )

[Guatemom]

Hi, Brandi!
We're in the beginning stages of #2 right now. We accepted his referral up front b/c we didn't have as much to do. That was June 1st; and since then we've made tons of headway on the paperchase (thank goodness). We submitted our I600a on June 8th, and on June 15th we already rec'd a response asking for another copy of certified b/c's (if you have an approved one on file they might tell you that you don't have to resubmit orig's--but trust me do it anyway!) So getting response in a week after we submitted to USCIS is really encouraging-and since I had already ordered add'l copies of everything from the state b/c I knew we'd need them for the dossier (I always get extra)-I was able to just slip one in the mail back w/their letter on Mon the 18th; now are just waiting for the I-171H. I pray that the rest of the process goes smoothly. We're using a different int'l agency this time around and so far we love them!
We were hesitant about Guat, too at first--altho it was always where our hearts were. I researched agencies forever, even other int'l programs--but in the end we had to follow our hearts. And here are! Waiting on Cristian Saul.....
Think that's the best thing anyone can do--follow your heart. Don't be sorry later!

[DeeVee]

Hi Brandi,

Count us among the re-starters! We just completed our HS update and are getting our dossier together. The paperchase part of the process is going quicker this time around; our HS agency already knows us, so the update was fairly quick and easy, and having been through this before I know what to do for the dossier. Waiting on I171H right now.

Good luck in your adoption journey!

[praying4rlittl1]

If and when we ever get Ronaldo and Julia's abandonment decree, we will be starting again too. We may end up being the ones that are as close to the deadline as you can get (UGH). And I would do it in a heartbeat.

[MamaJanny]

Brandii,

We are also just in the beginning stages of our Guat. adoption. This is our first adoption, so we're learning as we go and trying to really keep moving on the things we have control over.

Our agency also gave us a hearty go-ahead, but we were cautioned to really get our ducks in a row and get moving, as things could change any time in Guatemala.

Guatemala was also where our hearts led us, and for that reason we moved forward. (However, we did choose an agency that has a proven track record in other countries we would consider, just in case--we don't want to think about not being able to complete a Guat. adoption, but the possibility exists nonetheless.)

So, with all that in mind, we jumped onto the paperwork roller coaster and decided to have faith in the fact that our hearts are leading us in the right direction. Feel free to pm anytime!

Good luck in your adoption process!

Janelle