We filled out all the generic paperwork for the adoption agency, made out checks, got our home study done, got our physicals, all the financial statements, finger printed by the Homeland Security, and the now required 'How to be the parent of an internationally adopted child' class.
So all in all, the paperwork was started in about March 08, approximately 6 months before the wifey turned 30. We couldn't get the home study notarized until she was officially 30 years of age, I believe we got it a little late, but thats ok. The amount of paperwork is insane, but the worse thing is having to depend on other people to get things done, ie signing forms, and notarizing forms etc etc.
Our home study had a slight typo in it so we had to get an addendum added to it, finally got that yesterday. I am FedEx'ing the addendum off to the Department of Homeland Security today in an attempt to get our USCIS Approval that says per the government "Hey, you guys can totally adopt a little baby from another country and bring them back here, k thanks!"
I seriously hope we get the form back sometime next week, but who knows. The I-800A is the last actual piece of the puzzle that we need before we can pack it ALL together and send it to get it notarized/certified by the states and Chinese Embassy people. Then after all that stamping and signing, we can send it to China to get it logged in to begin the waiting game.
Waiting you say? Why yes, the current wait time for a 0-13 month old perfectly healthy baby girl is: 3-6 years.
Yep, years. BUT the wait time for a special needs child can be as little as 6 months. We have opted to go this route, for the sake of time, and the classification of 'special needs' is VERY broad. 20% of the special needs children have cleft pallet/lip, 18% have heart disease, 14% have 'Limb difference' which can be as simple as extra toes or fingers, or club foot. We are fortunate that we have excellent insurance and would cover these things. The medical form we fill out is very lengthy and specific as to what special needs you would be able to accommodate.
