Total Timeline From Application Approval to Travel is about 15-16 Months.

Please visit our Adoption Agency's web site for a detailed explanation of each part of the process.  CCAI site -> http://www.chinesechildren.org/Adoption/Process.aspx

For FAQ about Adopting from China visit this page -> http://www.fwcc.org/FAQ

Why Adopt?

Well, very early in our marriage when conception of our own biological children was uncertain, we had discussed that adoption was an option we would pursue to create our family.  Fortunately, our doubts about conception were brief and within a 3 years span we became the birth parents to two healthy boys, Evan and Eric.  Within months after the birth of Eric we had discussed the possibility of having a third child and would like a little girl to extend and complete our family.  However, instead of attempting conception of our own biological girl, we thought that an adoption of a girl in need would fulfill her dreams and ours.  Our initial intent was to adopt within 3 years of our second son.   However, we later decided we needed to wait until Evan and Eric could fully understand the process.  So here we are today.  The boys are so excited and can’t wait to go get their “Mei, Mei” (Little sister).  Adoption is a long and challenging endeavor.  We are not fully finished and can everyone say “gestational period of an elephant!”  We know our daughter will join our family soon and when she does the agony of the wait will disappear.  We sincerely appreciate our family and friends who have given their support and enthusiasm during our journey.

 Why China?

After seeing the documentary entitled “China’s Lost Girls” we decided soon afterwards to pursue international adoption through China.  Since the airing of that show we have learned a great deal about the history and culture of the Chinese people.  Due to China’s culture (the preference for boys as the caregiver and provided to his parent in their elder years) and their population control policy (one child per family), there are large numbers of girls in their orphanages.  We knew that adopting a precious little girl from China was just the right thing to do for our family.  We have receive her referral (picture and health info) on 5 January 2006, and are now looking forward to traveling to China during the later part of February.

Here is a summary of our adopting process to date:  (For a detailed description of our process visit the Timeline page.)

1.  Application Approved - 15 December 2004.  DONE

2.  Dossier Paperwork - 16 December 2004 thru 18 March 2005 (Done in 3 months, not bad).  DONE

3.  Dossier Reviewed -  19 March 2005 thru 30 March 2005.  DONE

4.  Wait to Match -  LID 19 March 2005.  Received Match (aka Referral) 5 January 2006.  DONE

5.  Match to Travel  -  Waiting for Travel Authorization from China.  DONE

6.  Travel  -  We hope to travel late February.  DONE

Because the dossier process is the most daunting and exhausting part of the adoption process, I have supplied information about what was required for the completion of our Dossier in Arizona.  The Adoption Dossier is basically a compilation of various official documents required by the US government, Chinese government, and the State of Residence (Arizona for us).

Our Dossier consisted of the following documents:  (View photo of our complete dossier documents here.)

1. Adoption Petition

This is a one-page, self produced, typed document that introduces us as adoptive parents, states our adoption motivation, expresses our specific desire for the child we wish to adopt, and makes promises to the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) the we will love and care for our adopted child.

2. Birth Certificates for each applicant

Birth Certificates are needed for the verification of U.S. citizenship and age.  Bonnie’s Birth Certificates was ordered from the Vital Statistics Office in her state of birth.  Rick was born abroad to US parents, so he ordered a certified copy of his Certification of Report of Birth from the Dept. of State in Washington D.C. 

3. Marriage Certificate

Requested a certified copy of our Marriage License from the county clerk. 

4. Employment/Non-Employment Verifications for each applicant

Contacted our Human Resource departments and requested a notarized one-page letter verifying our employment status and annual salary. 

5. Financial Statement

This is a one-page, self-produced, typed document that states our annual income, Life Insurance coverage, Assets and Liabilities, Net Worth, and our attest to being factual with notarized signatures.

6. Physical Exam Report for each applicant

This required us to schedule doctor appointments and blood work.  The adoption agency supplied us standard physical report for our doctors to complete with our medical history, vision, hearing, organ function, and blood work test results.

7. Police Clearance Report for each applicant

The purpose of the report is to demonstrate that we have “No Record” 

i.e. felonies, arrests, criminal history, etc.  We requested this report from our local Police Department. 

8. I-171H Favorable Determination by the USCIS

The I-171H is the “Notice of Favorable Determination”, is an approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for us to adopt internationally.  This required us to have federal fingerprints done, favorable Home Study Report, and an I-600A (Application for Advanced Processing of Orphan Petition) filed with copies of birth certificates and marriage license.

9. Home Study Report

The Home Study is required by CCAA and the State of Arizona to certify the applicants as acceptable to adopt minor children.  The Home Study must be completed by a social worker affiliated with a non-profit, licensed Home Study Agency.  We contracted with Arizona’s Children Association.  Our Home Study process and paperwork was quite extensive and required the following:

-  Application for Adoption Study             -  Financial Statement

-  Child Acceptability Checklist               -  Medical Questionnaires (2)

-  Physical Reports (2)                           -  Autobiography

-  Birth Certificates (2 copies)                 -  Marriage License (copy)

-  Interview process… with each parent separately, with both          

   parents together, and with the boys, totaling 7 hours.

-  Previous year’s tax form (1040) cover page

-  Fingerprints and CPS Records Clearance

-  Client Rights & Grievance Procedure

-  Home Study Service Orientation

-  Military Discharge (DD214)

10. Additional items needed

3 Couple photos, 8 Family Life photos, and 3 Passport photos