Adoption FAQ – Daniel

Daniel lives in an orphanage in eastern Europe. I can share what country as soon as we pass court. He was born with arthrogryposis, which means some of his bendy parts aren’t bendy, for example his knees and feet. He has further been affected by life in an orphanage that doesn’t have a good reputation in several ways, including its feeding practices and social interactions. We are eager to get him home where our whole family as well as local doctors can work to help him heal and grow.

Adoption Timeline:
12/25/2016 – Officially began process
12/26/2016 – Initiated homestudy – $400
12/26/2016 – Application with adoption agency – $250
12/29/2016 – FBI Background check initiated
01/03/2017 – FBI Background check appointment – $100
01/06/2017 – Homestudy home visit – $1630
01/06/2017 – Hague Training purchased/begun – $149
01/13/2017 – FBI background check apostille – $69.30
01/22/2017 – Passport applications – $400
02/06/2017 – Picked up completed homestudy!
02/07/2017 – Hague oversight completed and I-800A mailed – $952.75
02/08/2017 – Marriage license apostille – $10
02/10/2017 – Collecting dossier documents, including medical forms – $60
02/24/2017 – I-800A fingerprint appointment date received
03/02/2017 – Apostilled entire dossier (minus I-800A approval) – $185
03/06/2017 – I-800A fingerprint appointment
03/07/2017 – Mailed apostilled dossier (minus I-800A approval)
03/08/2017 – First payment to in-country agency – $1672.21 (1,565 Euros)
03/16/2017 – I-800A officer assigned
03/20/2017 – I-800A approval received in the mailbox!
03/21/2017 – I-800A approval apostilled and mailed – $65
03/22/2017 – Second payment to in-country agency – $3282.38 (3,005 Euros)
04/06/2017 – Dossier translated by about now
04/14/2017 – Dossier authenticated by about now and submitted to MOJ (ministry of justice)
04/20/2017 – IAC (International Adoption Committee) meeting submission – verbal referral?
04/21/2017 – Verbal referral confirmed. Travel dates proposed!
04/27/2017 – Global Adoption Services program fee – $5000
04/27/2017 – Global Adoption Services post placement report escrow – $2000
05/03/2017 – Written referral – bought airfare for three people!!! – $3445.08
05/04/2017 – Withdrew cash for VISA – $325
05/11/2017 – Received translated referral
05/11/2017 – Mailed forms I-800 and I-864W to USCIS
05/12/2017 – Left home on trip 1!
05/15/2017 – First orphanage visit
05/19/2017 – Last orphanage visit
05/20/2017 – Home late this night
Cost of trip one except airfare: Hotel $325.66, Food/other $383.81
05/23/2017 – Received second stage documents (Power of Attorney and Consent for Adoption)
05/24/2017 – Updated FBI check and emailed to Global Adoption Services – $100
05/25/2017 – Apostilled second stage documents and mailed – $80
05/31/2017 – Rachel’s medical form updated – $30
05/31/2017 – Third payment to in-country agency – $1480.46 (1305 Euros)
06/01/2017 – I-800 approved
06/05/2017 – Brian’s medical form updated – $30
06/06/2017 – Mailed notarized medicals for apostille – $30
06/12/2017 – Received email notification from NVC (National Visa Center) with case number. Forwarded email to NGO for form ds260 and Embassy interview
06/14/2017 – Article 5 interview at embassy (NGO attends in Daniel’s country)
06/16/2017 – Article 5 letter issued (Now translate and authenticate)
06/26/2017 – Article 5 letter submitted to MOJ with dossier (to be reviewed and wait for signature)
07/14/2017 – Dossier submitted to court
08/07/2017 – Judge assigned and court date scheduled!
09/04/2017 – Court date!!!
09/11/2017 – Court decree in effect (final foreign fee installment paid $1456/$1200EUR)
09/13/2017 – Court decree signed and given to facilitator. Submitted for birth certificate
09/14/2017 – Buy airplane tickets (after embassy confirms appointment) for 2 adults, 1 child round trip plus one child one-way $4588
10/01/2017-10/14/2017 – Travel dates!
10/01 – leave home
10/02 – arrive in Sofia
10/03 – drive to Varna
10/04 – PICK UP DANIEL and drive back to Sofia
10/05 – Passport appointment
10/09 – pick up passport
10/10 – Medical appointment and TB test
10/12 – Medical results and US Embassy appointment
10/13 – Get VISA
10/14 – fly home!
10/15 – Admitted to hospital for constipation and malnutrition
10/21 – Homecoming!
(In country expenses)
Embassy medical exam – $70
TB test – $120
Lodging for trip 2 (12 nights) – $857.97
Food for trip 2, Embassy medical exam, TB test, souvenirs, airport parking, etc. – $714.87

Total cost: $30232.49

Miscellaneous expenses not included:
Babysitter help during first trip – $500
Hiring a “baba” to spend time with Daniel – $470 for 3 months