[dcookie]

I just head back from our agency that the agency in Korea has requested, at the last minute, some kind of proof that we're both self-employed. They were wondering where our 1099 and W2 forms were. Well, uh, we're self-employed so we don't have or use those. Looks like our little one is in the final paperwork review over there before the monthly review - we're in a rage that this was overlooked by both agencies as a potential source of trouble. Now we're scrambling to get an affidavit notarized and sent to Korea by Tuesday.

Has anyone else heard this nonsense about notary seals having to be raised like an official stamp to be accpeted by Korea? That's killer for us as the only notary we knew with a raised stamp was the office manager for our agency in NY - and she buggered off half way through our case without telling anyone.

Sorry for rambling. We are very upset. What I don't understand is how could they even match us with a child if our paperwork wasn't in order? It really seems like there's very little oversight on either side.

Anyone had experience with this, being self-employed and having to prove it? We've sent Schedule C forms for 2003, 2004, 2005, DBA forms for both of us, etc. This is so upsetting.

[hopeful2adopt]

I don't have any info, but I just wanted to say how frustrating and I'm so sorry this is happening to you. You would have thought at least one of the two agencies would have figured this out in advance. Best wishes on getting this ironed out.

Sharon

[tinkerbell11599]

Sorry this is happening to you. We aren't in the same boat as you are with regards to the self employment thing. I'm hoping somebody else can comment on that.

I know that the raised seal is important for notaries for overseas documents. At least that's what we were told. With our first child, we didn't have it and it was caught before it was sent to Korea. With our 2nd, we are praying that the seal is accepted since the woman only lightly pressed it. When you have it done, make sure that the person doing it really presses. And if you've signed twice you need a seal for both signatures not just the one.

Hopefully this won't take too long to fix!!

Jen

[ahfdragonfly]

There should be a notary at the bank. We used Sunmark FCU & told her to press hard! Barb gave us that tip. Most notaries should have the raised seal. Try your bank or town hall, both of those offices have done it for me.

Good luck! Hope this means she'll be home soon!

Millie
p.s. about 3 weeks befor our "call", we found out that somewhere between our agency & Korea, a copy of one years taxes got lost. How one did & all the other docs didn't ... anybodys guess?

[tinkerbell11599]

Be careful about getting notaries done at banks...they legally can charge up to $2 per signature. Generally if you use your bank it is a free service for its customers. We know this from experience on both sides of the coin.

Jen

[abcolo]

How frustrating. I am sorry. HUGS.

Andrea

[LulubelNY]

I'm also self-employed and the question did come up, even though I'd written a letter to my U.S. agency explaining. I get 1099s from some of my clients and I asked if the korean govt wanted those but was told they did not. My agency went back to the Korean govt and explained and it seemed to be OK. I think we were reviewed based on my spouse's salary and 3 years of tax returns - and no one ever asked for a raised notary stamp.

I can only imagine your frustration - I would be spitting mad myself. I hope you make it and have your baby in your arms very soon.

[dcookie]

Thank you all very much. Glad to know we're not the only ones to deal with this!

Yes, we do have a nice manager at the bank who has notarized a few things for us in the past, free of charge. I'll get him to press hard!

Our agency has said they don't care about the raised issue right now, they just want a piece of paper in Korea to keep the bureaucrats in happy.

So that's what we'll be doing first thing tomorrow morning. I'll get FedEx to deliver our affidavit directly to Seoul. It should get there in plenty of time for their next review, which is on Wednesday. Hopefully, we'll get The Call soon after that.

Gadzooks, what an afternoon.

[ahfdragonfly]

I'm praying everything will be where it's supposed to be on time!

Millie

[sarajean]

We had a paperwork snafu right before we got the travel call...our agency misplaced the very first piece of paper we ever sent them and we scrambled to get it to them right away. We got the travel call four days later. Our SW said that even though it is frustrating to have these glitches when we're so close it actually means they're reviewing everything in your file because you're up next! Hope this holds true for you!

[dcookie]

Yes, I think that's what's going on. Went to Town Hall this morning on the off-chance they had a raised stamp, but they only have the rubber stamp thing too. So, that's what we did. (Agency said it would be okay.) Dropped it in the FedEx bin, so it's on its way. Holey moley. Hoping to get The Call next week. Fingers, legs, toes and other crossable items —*all crossed!

[teachamy]

Dcookie--
I've got all my extremities, digits, and eyes crossed for you! (Wow, it's hard to type this way!)

My BEST!
Amy

[JackHenryEmma]

The bulk of my husband's income is self-employed. We had our tax accountant write a letter with last 3 years income on it. He also had to sign a paper himself listing his income earned so far this year.

Julie

[dcookie]

Well, our paperwork got there today around 1:30 PM local time, so now we're literally just waiting for the phone to ring some time this week. I hope I don't get gangrene from all this finger and limb crossing.

[hopeful2adopt]

So glad it made it there in time...I'll keep my fingers, toes, etc. crossed for you guys as well. How exciting!!!

Sharon