Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Still on Standby...

Well, we didn't get conformation of our out today. It's a little discouraging, and a little nerve wracking (did I misunderstand Laura at PGN?). We'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. I e-mailed our coordinator to ask what the steps are after we are officially out of PGN, and if she knew if the town Ana's birth certificate is coming from is having any delays in issuing amended birth certificates (there are some people having a really hard time getting birth certificates from some areas). If you are curious about what the next steps are for us (assuming we are indeed out of PGN) here's what our coordinator had to say:
I spoke to Greg today and told him that Dinora would call me immediately
when your case comes out of the PGN. She checks daily and I am in
constant communication with her. Quetzaltenango does not appear to delay
the issuance of amended birth certificates. Most families travel
approximately two months after their case is approved by the PGN. These
are the steps after a case is approved by the PGN:

6. After the PGN gives written consent to the adoption, the birth mother
and the attorney representing the adoptive family will sign the adoption
decree, thus making the child's adoption legally complete under
Guatemalan law.

7. The adoption decree is registered at the Civil Registry (town/city
hall) where the child was born. This same Civil Registry issues the
child's new birth certificate with the surnames of the adoptive
parent(s). The birth certificate will state the child's original first
names followed by the adoptive family's surnames (paternal surname
followed by maternal surname, if applicable).

8. Once the amended birth certificate is obtained, the attorney applies
for the child's Guatemalan passport. A second DNA of the child only will
also take place at this time and the laboratory will send the embassy
the results directly. After reviewing all information in the case, the
Embassy will issue the "pink slip", which is an invitation for the
family to travel to Guatemala. The "pink slip" will list an appointment
for the adoptive parents to appear at the Embassy for issuance of the
child's American visa. Wide Horizons strongly recommends that families
do not travel until the "pink slip" has been issued, as the Embassy will
only meet with adoptive parents by appointment.

9. The representative takes the child to a U.S. Embassy-approved
pediatrician for a medical examination. This step is usually handled by
the representative just prior to the family's arrival in Guatemala.
However, in some cases, the adoptive family will accompany the child to
this appointment.

10. Adoptive family and child(ren) are interviewed by U.S. Embassy
consular officer in order to receive the child's visa to enter the
United States. For each child, families must bring with them their
completed I-600 form, Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, copies of last
year's tax forms with a notarized statement, a recent pay stub as
verification of employment, and a vaccination waiver. The consular
officer will give the adoptive family a sealed envelope containing the
adoption legal papers - this envelope must remain sealed and is to be
submitted to the immigration officer in the US at the family's point of
entry.   The immigration officer will retain this packet.
Lastly, there was some good news to come out of Guatemala today regarding the Central Authority. The location of the CA is now known. The procedure for registering has yet to be announced but it's a step in the right direction. Seems like they are making good effort to get these in process cases registered and processed through the system!

1 comment:

beanhead said...

Sounds like they are trying their best to move things along down there. My body is still crossed for you.