Good News! The family that lost their little boy referral this week was given another referral today. I'm back at seven on the boys list now. That makes 3 girls and 1 boy that are waiting for their international pediatrician review before becoming "official" this week. The international pediatrician review is required by AGCI in order to officially accept your referral. It's all part of the "eyes wide open" approach to international adoption that Hague accredited agencies follow. Hague accreditation if the highest international standard available, and even in a country like Ethiopia which is not a part of the Hague Treaty for International Adoptions, it is much less stressful to be with an accredited agency because they've been so heavily scrutinized there is a very low risk of the local authorities having any concerns. We just got a little taste of that this summer when adoptions from one particular orphanage were halted for an investigation. Miraculously, several AGCI adoptions that were affected were able to go through, while unaccredited agencies have cases still pending.
Speaking of cases pending. Three families that have had their referrals since prior to the court closure did not pass court today. There are a lot of reasons why the judge (apparently often) asks for more information before granting an adoption. Sometimes they want more paperwork, testimony from relatives or something else. This sucks! But will hopefully be sorted out within a few weeks and one more court appearance.
After your case is approved by the judge, the child is officially yours. They are given your last name and I've also heard they are given their parent's first name as their middle name (but someone should corroborate that for me). Then it takes just a few weeks to get your embassy appointment (which is the date you have to be in Ethiopia, because you take your child to the embassy appointment to get their Visa (IR-4).
For all the waitlist families that just waded through all that, sorry I have no new details to add :) But here's a photo for your time.jpg)
3 comments:
Hey Erin,
Congrats on the movement! I too have heard that the child is given the father's first name as the middle name and our last night. So our baby will be "B" Brian Gossett on the paperwork until re-adoption in the US at which point you can legally change the name.
Erin,
Just wanted to let you know we are just in front of you on both lists. We have no blog but will certainly let you know here and on the listserve when we get a referral. After all the recent movement I am so ready, but keep reminding myself it could be weeks or even months.
Kristi in IN
It is soo exciting having those numbers down! You are getting closer and closer to your new little one!
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