Over the past few weeks, we have been slowly chugging along in the adoption process. We are still in the early stages, but I am getting asked a lot these days about what's next and what the process looks like. I'd like to give you guys an outline of what we're expecting here on out.
I'm chuckling as I write that because, as anyone who has been through the process or knows someone who has will tell you, you may as well throw your expectations out the window when it comes to adoption! Nevertheless...
This is the online application we submitted to Bethany Christian Services giving basic info such as names, address, income, etc.
This is a more in depth application. We were required to provide more in depth financial and medical info, and ended up being required to submit to letters from my physicians because of my chronic back issues. Thankfully we have been accepted!
Home Study - $9,350-$14,350
This is when the agency does interviews of all family members as well as a home inspection. We also have to submit to background checks and fingerprinting in all states we've lived in since age 18. There's also a load of paperwork.
Immigration - $1,314-$6,054
These are governmental documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates as well as dossier (see below) paperwork that may need translated.
Dossier - $10,600-$10,900
This is the big packet of paperwork that is sent to the country we're adopting from. The fee above is called the "country fee," which is what we pay to the country our child comes from.
Referral - $700-$1,000
The day we find out who our child is! The fee above is for post-placement services, including post-placement reports that are required to be submitted.
Immigration -
This is when we coordinate with both governments to get the appropriate documentation in place to bring our child home
Travel - $11,400-$16,280
The big day! This is when we travel to meet/bring our child home.
There are also many little things along the way, such as the background checks, fingerprinting, or even making sure all the pets are up to date on vaccines, that are not as easy to predict and, as Dan and I learned last time, they definitely add up!
So that's what the process and the financial side of it looks like, but there are a few other things in the works that I can share, too!
I have been a busy bee organizing an Art for Adoption fundraiser, which I am aiming to hold in mid April. I have had more than 20 people volunteer to donate a handmade item for us to auction off to help cover expenses! If you'd like to donate a handmade item, please email me at kelseydgolden @ hotmail.com.
We also got the news today we have been accepted to have a crowdfunding profile on www.adopttogether.org! We unfortunately need a completed home study to have our profile go live so in the meantime if you'd like to donate you can use Paypal to send to kelseydgolden @ hotmail.com or email me for our mailing address!
You can also be praying for the following things: the health and safety of our child, peace and patience for Dan and I, finances, and wisdom as we make big decisions.
Thank you all for being a part of this journey with us! I hope I can bring you another update soon.
Happy New Year,
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