The process

We received a packet of information from Holt yesterday. I thought I would share the specifics of the process with everyone. The main steps are-

- Family applies to program ( we have done this)
- Home study is reviewed by Holt and approved for country ( we have chosen the agency for our home study but thats it so far)
- Family files I600A immigration form
- Dossier is prepared by family and sent to Holt (family can compile dossier while simultaneously waiting for I171H approval)
- Program staff review dossier and obtain state certifications
Holt forwards Dossier to the U.S. Sate Dept & the Ethiopian Embassy for authentication
- Dossier is forwarded to Ethiopia representative in Addis Ababa who has a dossier translated and prepared for court
- Child is referred to family
- Paperwork is submitted to Ethiopian court
- Court order is issued, subsequently the birht certificate is issued
- Child is issued visa and ready to travel
- You receive information on post placement requirements and schedules
- Once we return home to the U.S. we will finalize the adoption here in the U.S.
- The last step is to naturalize our child as a U.S. citizen

These are the main steps of the process according to Holt. Obviously all of this takes time. Please pray for us as we begin all of the work involved in this that it would go smoothly.