We've been working on finalizing our adoption since November 4th. Yes, there were 3 holidays thrown in, but seriously, why so long? First, I understand that we couldn't finalize for 6 months after he was "placed" with us. He was placed with us the day he was born, but it was considered a foster care placement for the first month after leaving the hospital (Apr 4th). Meaning, May 4th is the start of our 6 months. Meaning November 4th is when we could file our petition and final order to adopt. Ok, so now why would our agency send us an email on the Jan 23rd asking for information to put together his report for the adoption???? Um...shouldn't of you been working on that already?? I'm the type of person that if I know someone is going to need something, I have it to them before they need it. Yes, we knew the adoption wouldn't be finalized by the end of 2011 with having to wait that extra month, but come on! Would of it been nice to be finalized by Dec 31st? Of course!! Maybe it's our case worker that drops the ball? Puts things on hold? Is a procrastinator? Then again, I don't really know how long this process is supposed to take?
Some may ask (like my husband...lol), why is it so important that it be done? Well for me, it's final, it's closure, it's forever! Xander has been our forever since the day he was placed in my arms, but I just want this chapter of our lives to be complete. It's hard to explain.
I think we are nearing the end however. Our attorney emailed us the birth certificate form to fill out, which they will be sending in with the final order. I didn't ask when that would be. I'm trying to be patient and not bothersome. I'm not the one in charge here. I don't know the process. I need to let the people working on this, work on it. It's out of my hands completely.
I will say that working with our agency case worker before the adoption was great. But, once Xander was born and all the logistics came into play, not so great! We would NOT use this agency again if we decided to adopt again. If we'd adopt again, it most likely would be an international adoption so we'd switch agency's anyways.
Even with all the hiccups, confusions, and frustrations...bringing baby boy home was worth it all!!!
(edited to add...)
I sent in the birth certificate form on Friday, received an email last night that I put my current last name rather than my maiden name. I fixed it and sent it in first thing today. With that, I received an email back stating that they (the attorney) will get everything in the mail tomorrow for the final order. Me, not knowing what that means or where it goes, I asked. This is the response I received...
We submit
the Final Order to Circuit Court. We have to wait until the Judge signs off on
the Final Order. Sometimes it’s done quickly, at other times it may take a few
weeks depending on caseloads. Once the Order has been signed they will mail us
an original certified Order (which we then send to you). The court then forwards
the appropriate paperwork to Vital Records for amending the birth certificate.
The birth certificate amendment can take anywhere from 1 month to 4 months
depending on their caseload. They will mail us (2) original birth certificates
which we then mail to you. Hope that helps.
Oh yes, this helped tremendously! I can finally understand it and know that hopefully in the next few months we will be completed. His passport will more than likely expire before we receive the new birth certificate. His was only a one year passport due to the adoption not being finalized. I'll make a trip to the passport office here and ask what will happen if it expires before being able to apply for his official one. Gotta love the logistics of everything...maybe that's why logistics is my speciality in the career world? I just love it all too much...LOL.
This sounds familiar. With adoption your always waiting for someone else to do their job. If only we could do it ourselves - it would get done so much quicker!
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