I thought I would do an update on the adoption process where Ellie is concerned. Many of you have asked about her process. I know I have put a lot of blog time on Jonas lately, mainly because he is so close to being home.
But in fairness, it is high time I give some TLC to my baby girl!
As some of you know, I originally met Ellie in April of 2007 when Jessica and I made a trip to Haiti. Shortly after that trip is when Todd and I decided to make her a part of our family. (Go HERE to read that entry.) So our paper chase for Ellie began in June of 2007. We weren't willing to hold up Jonas paperwork to get Ellie caught up because it would have taken to long. So we made the painful choice to have them come home separately.
I was fortunate enough to reuse a lot of my original documents and paperwork from Jonas' dossier. ( I had extra originals) However we had to redo our home study. UGH! Fortunately we got it updated in 1 month!!!!! God is good! We finally got it all together and delivered to Haiti by my sister-in-law in October of 2007. Yes, over a year ago!
Because Ellie's parents are deceased we had to apply for true orphan status from IBESR (Haitian social services). This takes 6 months from the day she is dropped off at the orphanage. (Sept 2007 was the end of 6 months) Then we have to get a new birth certificate. This took WAY longer than any of us realized. The O got it @ June of 2008. Her process can't start without it. Not only do you need a birth certificate, you have to have a "consent to adopt" form/letter- stating she can be adopted. This piece of paper is what is holding us up at this point. The mayor's office is taking it's own sweet little time. From what I understand, his staff is going thru our dossier and Ellie's paperwork with a fine tooth comb. Never mind the fact that the country of Haiti has declared her a true orphan!!!!!!
In the meantime Todd and I traveled to Haiti and had our DHS (Department of homeland security) appointment for her. We are still waiting to get approval from this office, and it is an AMERICAN office!
So where do we stand right now? Waiting for DHS approval and consent to adopt form.
THEN, we can submit her file to IBESR (Haitian social service office) to officially start her process on the Haitian side.
Are we frustrated? uh...yeah! While everyone takes their sweet little ol time, my daughter is sitting in an orphanage! (no offense Three Angels! You guys take good care of the kids!) Reality says once her file goes into IBESR it could take every bit of 2 years for her adoption to be completed. This means she could be 6 years old before she comes home! It makes me want to cry! That is when I go to the Lord and seek refuge in him. I hope, pray , and PRAISE that we will be blessed with a shorter process once it gets started. Time will tell which course God has chosen for us.Now you know where we are with Ellie's process. I haven't mentioned it much because it upsets me.
So here is a step by step log of Ellie's adoption process. I will put this post in my sidebar so you can access it anytime to see what steps we have completed.
Mandatory 6 month wait to declaire her an orphan. March 07- Sept 07
DOSSIER TO HAITI October 2007
Received new birth certificate 6-27-08
Received the consent to adopt form 12-26-08
ADOPTION STEPS ONCE DOSSIER ARRIVES IN HAITI
Minister of Foreign Affairs(1st legal)- Documents notarized and authenticated are now legalized.
DHS- Submit Orphan First Petition and birth parents interview happens, DNA testing is done if requested by DHS officer. September 2008
Justice of the Peace - Judge issues a formal request for IBESR to exam potential adoptive family as permanent family for child. ? but done.
IBESR- Family and child’s dossier are examined. 4 signatures required to exit. Entered May 2009 . Presidential approval @ Oct 9th 2009. Out @ Oct 28th!
Civil Judge- Issues official adoption decree. (In Haiti we are her legal parents.)
Parquet- Social Representative (similar to a prosecutor in a US court), insures that the above departments have done everything legally.
Civil State Officer- New birth certificate is issued.(with our last name)
Archive- Verifies all signature’s, certificate is issued. (Similar to being notarized)
Minister of Justice- Above verifications are now legalized (similar to notary being authenticated).
Minister of Interior (MOI)- Insures all of the above documents have not been falsified.
Passport- Political Affairs Gives final authorization to issue the passport.
Passport is issued
DHS- Take adoption decree to finalize orphan first petition.
Embassy- Visa is issued.
Because Todd and I have both seen her in person, she will be issued a visa that will make her a US citizen the moment her feet hit American soil.
***Then we go get her and bring her HOME!!!****
Hugs, Kistina
5 comments:
I am so glad you posted this, Kristina. I am certainly praying for your Ellie (and Jonas) and I'll be sure to give them plenty of love on the December trip! It is so hard to miss all those "little" years, but I know the Lord will get us through this and to our beloved children. Petey was 9 months old when we started his paperwork, and now it's looking like he'll be at least 3 when he comes home. Justin will likely be 4, and he's been at the O since birth! I have found that meditating on the fact that the Lord's ways are not our ways brings me great comfort! Still, I pray for His mercy, and especially that He'll get that consent to adopt form PRONTO! Love ya!
I swear Kristina, the girl looks like you...Each time I see a photo of her, she reminds me of you! She will be here...we are praying her home with you.
Love ya!
Lisa
Ugh.....I wish they would get her & Becca's consent form NOW! I will continue to pray for this piece of paper until 3A's has it in hand! Love you!
Praying her home!!
Oh, Sweetie, I feel your pain as we wait for Daniel's process with his bc and consent, as well. We will pray for Ellie, too!
Let's look at the bright side of our long adoption journey - it means we have more trips to Haiti in our future - maybe trips together? Any thoughts on a Haitian Get-Away with Team April? ;-) I'll even let you plan a devotion for one night. Ha!
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