[ydh]

We have our travel date- so I have started calling making firm plans. In this, I called the embassy in Panama to make sure everything was there as far as my advanced processing of I600A- AND IT WAS NOT! We were approved on April 23,2004- had our fingerprints renewed July 1-- I started calling all kinds of offices, but particularly the office we worked thru to get the approval. They faxed and emailed them another copy of this. I also called the office in our current state where we had our finger prints renewed and they are sending via cable the information again. But what they told me in the New Orleans office is this- the embassy will discard this information if the family does not appear at the embassy rather soon after recieving it!!! That would be pretty important info to know -- don't you think!! So we will call the consulate's office this afternoon to make sure it is there. This document is actually kept at the consulate's office, not the Embassy. So just heads up to you guys
Also they ( the embassy" are telling me the "orphan investigation" will take 1-3 weeks! I have read many posts that say the whole VISA experience will only take a couple of days- that is what my att. is telling me as well. My hope this is just what they tell everyone so we won't go nutso on them if it takes longer. I will have documents from our judge declaring her an orphan- so this "should" help-- but the gal I spoke with at the Embassy says- it still may take 1-3 weeks, and I need to realize I am working with 2 governments. GESH!! I have been at this for a year and a half- I believe I freakin realize I am working with 2 governments- and right now it is my own that is giving me a hard time!!!
So just wanted to let you guys know to double check that when you get close- which will hopefully be very soon for everyone!! YH

[JUF]

YH,
Thanks so much for that info, that's good to know! Can you pass on the contact # for the embassy in Panama as well as the consulate's office.

How long do you think you will be in Panama? I'm a little fuzzy on what actually happens...court date for adoption, American embassy investigation, embassy paperwork, visa granted, home?

Also where are you staying while you are in Panama?

Good luck,
Julie

[whoownsthis]

Hey, Y, I just sent an e-mail to your Hotmail account. I know we haven't spoken in a few weeks, but I'd like you to comment on my attorney's comments from today.

(They won't help anyone adopting through an agency. Sorry.)

Thanks,
Rebecca

[ydh]

here are the #'s I have fro the Embassy 507-207-7415 they are the ones who called the consulate ,. The number I have for the consulate is 507-207-4213- but I only heard a spanish recording. These numbers on on the website-- travel.state.gov/family/adoption
As far as time frame- I don't know- but I will absolutely let everyone know what happens. The embassy did tell me the orphan investigation could take 1-3 weeks. I am hoping that with the documents from the judge regarding the TPR and the mother's signature- this will go much more quickly. I have been told by a few that the whole visa thing should only take a couple of days. Also the main number for the STate Dpt for Visa is
202-663-1225 and the customer service for citizenship and immigration is 1-800-375-5283. But I had to contact the "local" office of BCIS to get real help in "resending" the necessary documents. I won't know if everything is there for a couple of days.

[whoownsthis]

Is Sara (spanzeri) still visiting this board?

If so, I'd be curious to know if whoever gave you your daughter's VISA (embassy?, consulate?) to be allowed to immigrate to the US also required some sort of document signed by the "Magistrate" before they would approve the visa?

This document is not listed on the State Dept. Web site, but others who have adopted from Panama in past years have mentioned it, and that it alone can take a week to get. If it WAS required with your adoption (Sara), it will likely also be required with Y's adoption, too. Is this something families adopting from Panama should ask their Panamanian attornies to get for them (it will also need to be officially translated into English)?

Rebecca

[1STTIMEMOM]

Thanks for the info. It will be helpful to all of us when we finally do get to travel. Will you be traveling before the new government takes over or after? I was wondering if there is going to be a lapse in between the transition at all.
It is good to hear some good news!!
Thanks,
G

[lsworan]

Thanks for the information. We hope to hear something very soon on traveling; however, no news yet. When are you actually traveling? Is the plan to you to attend the court hearing? If so, has your attorney told you how long it will take to get the final documents from the court?

I talked to the Embassy when we were in Panama in March. They also told us 1-3 weeks. When I started to get freaked out about that length of time, the lady said it usually only takes them a couple of days if the court documents are all there. She said they don't like to tell people that because occassionally it takes longer. She said that is will also take longer if all the documents are not presented at the same time. I ask for the list and she directed me to the USCIS web site.

I will also be calling these offices before we travel, thanks for the numbers. We are in the process of updating our I-600A, so we hope to have it in Panama by the end of September. Our current one expires in October.

Good luck and let us know how everything goes.
Lauri

[ydh]

In addition to those documents on the site- they said they would want the resolution from the TPR hearing , and the publication of the child as an orphan. AND don't forget these documents need to be translated to English. They were much more helpful today -and the telegraph of was recieved by them today-- so my I600a is on file there now. It just sure would be nice to hear- "everything is okay hun--just let us know when you are ready" Wouldn't that be nice! Just for someone to say- hey- I am looking out for you. but that is not how it is going to be, so I am crossing all my t's as best as I can. I am feeling better- but if you guys think of anything- please put it out here. thanks yh
oh- does anyone have a guess at the total time we should expect to stay?? I have heard a variety-- and I know it is all up to the judge