[ATLGIRL]

DH and I are leaning towards adopting in eastern europe and would like to begin collecting documents for our dossier. I've heard different stories about dates that documents expire. What is the general rule on that?

We'll need to order all of the birth/marriage certificates, get physicals, fingerprints, etc. When will the clock start running on these? I expect that we'll receive them at different times. How should we time everything? Also, should we do home study first or submit I-600A first?

We want to spend the rest of this year saving money and getting our house in order for a home study so we plan to start gathering docs at the beginning of next year.

Thanks so much for your help.

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

Expiration dates vary by country. But here are some basics.

The fingerprints on the I600A expire after 15 months, and the I-600A expires after 18 months. It takes 3 - 5 months to complete the I600a, I would plan to have your homestudy complete at the same time your INS fingerprints are done. So, call your state INS office, ask them how long from paperwork submission to fingerprints. Then, ask your homestudy agency how long to completion, and plan from there.

Basically, anything over 1 year old will have to be re-done, so I would start gathering necessary documents at the same time you start your homestudy. You can order apostilled copies of your birth and marriage certificates at any time, they will not expire. Medicals usually expire after 6 months, but some countries are longer. That is the last thing you should complete.

Also, shop carefully for a homestudy agency, they are not all the same. They vary by: price, length of time to complete, and documents required.

Some homestudy agencies only require a 1 page letter from your references, others will require they fill out 15 page forms. Some take 6 weeks, others take 4 months. So, ask a lot of questions when shopping for a homestudy agency.

Also, shop carefully for an Adoption agency. They are also not all the same. And, just because an agency has a great China program, does not, mean they have a great Kaz program. Choose your country, and then ask for recommendations based on that.

Good luck, and remember that IA is a roller coaster ride. Be prepared for ups and downs, unexplained delays, and the possibility that your country will close and you will have to switch. It is a wonderful experience, as long as you are prepared and do not expect a smooth sail!

Kay
Mom to 1 DD from Bulgaria
And soon to be mom to a second from Kaz.

[ATLGIRL]

Thank you, Kay.

[skling69]

In Russia most everything is good for a year, such as the homestudy. The I-171H is good for 18 months and there are a few things like medicals and criminal records checks that must be redone so they are only three months at court. You just have to do them twice, once for the Dossier and once for court.

[randloar]

Keep in mind that just getting the certified copies of your marriage license and birth certificates can be done at any time. Its only when you get them apostilled that the clock starts ticking on them.

My birth certificate took a little longer to get because I am adopted and therefore, my birth certificate (from my adoptive parents) is held in a different location than most peoples paperwork......just meaning, these may be easy to get, or take awhile!

I started collecting these early, then just had to deal with the apostilling of them when we were ready to get started with all the other clock dependant items (everything else!!).

Good luck!