The Process

We are becoming buried in paperwork. It helps to stay motivated with Si En's picture while we fill out forms and write autobiographies (which will not be published). It is almost overwhelming as we keep getting sent more forms to fill out, we know it is all worthwhile though.

First we send a letter of intent to CCAA asking that we be officially matched with this child.

Receive pre-approval from CCAA.

Prepare a dossier which contains anything and everything about us; finanical statements, home study completed by a social worker, criminal history, and more.

Apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Service for approval to bring an orphan into the United States -- must travel to Kansas City for fingerprinting and a stay at the King bed and breakfast.

Have all dossier documents notarized, then authenticated by the Secretary of State of the state where the document originated, then sent to the Chinese Consulate for further authentication.

Send authenticated dossier documents to agency for translation and submission to the CCAA -- also known as DTC (dossier to China).

Receive log-in date (LID) -- date on which dossier was received by the CCAA.

Receive Letter of Acceptance (LOA) -- request from CCAA for final verification that all documents are accurate and that we still want to adopt this child.

Receive Travel Approval (TA) -- invitation from CCAA to travel to China and complete the adoption.Apply to US Consulate in Guangzhou, China for date of appointment to receive visa for adopted child. This will determine travel dates because the visa appointment is the last stop of the trip.

Apply to US Consulate in Guangzhou, China for date of appointment to receive visa for adopted child. This will determine travel dates because the visa appointment is the last stop of the trip.

Go to China!!!!