The Process

Having compiled three dossiers in the last 5 years (which is fewer than many people I know!), I was not super-eager to start another one. But, as soon as we received the agency paperwork (Amazing Grace Adoptions in NC), we plowed forward. Much to our pleasant surprise, compared to China, it is a *very* easy dossier to assemble and Uganda is not a Hague country at this time, so the immigration process is also relatively simple. Following is a list of what we've needed to assemble in record time.

• 2 originals and 3 copies of all family member's birth certificates (for our family that is 14 original certificates, and 21 copies). All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 4 post-placement commitment letters. All must be notarized.
• 4 consulate registration commitment letters. All must be notarized.
• 4 copies of father's and mother's passports. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 2 original and 3 copies of marriage certificates. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 1 original and 3 copies of employment verification letters. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 1 original and 3 copies of stay-at-home spouse verification letter. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 1 original and 3 copies of criminal background checks for father and mother. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 1 original and 3 copies of medical forms for all people in the home. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 1 original and 3 copies of Financial Statement. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 4 copies of USCIS paperwork/ I-171H approval. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 2 original and 3 copies of the home study. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 4 copies of Social Worker License. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 4 copies of Home Study Agency License. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 1 original and 3 copies of Home Study agency post placement commitment letter. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 1 original and 3 copies of child abuse clearance letter for father and mother. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• 4 copies of tax returns from previous 2 years. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.
• Family photos, 4 sets.
• 1 original and 3 copies of reference letters from friends of the family. All copies must have a notarized certified statement attached.

In case you didn't feel like tallying it yourself, we need to find a notary to sign/stamp 114 documents. We have almost all of this ready, as we began the preparations when we first learned of Aida. But some of it needs to wait. Our home study update visit will be done on December 19, so our best hope is that we will be ready to Fed-Ex our dossier to Uganda the week after Christmas!