Today we filled out, signed, and mailled our application to WACAP to begin the process of putting together our Dossier that we are hoping to send to China in late January/early February.

While we wait for our paperwork to arrive from WACAP, we’ll begin to work on getting our Passports and our filing our I600A. How exciting for our first trip out of country will be to fly to bring home our Ladybug.

For those who are wondering what an I600A is, it’s a form required by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for "Application For Advance Processing of Orphan Petition"

Guidelines Per the I-600A Form Eligibility

You must be a U.S. Citizen.

In the case of a married couple one of the spouses must be a U.S. Citizen.  The prospective parent is 25 years of age or older; or one of the partners within a marriage is 25 years of age or older.

Documents Needed to Show Proof

The following must be sent with the completed I-600A form:

A birth certificate to show proof of citizenship. If unable to obtain a birth certificate; a copy of the baptismal certificate under the seal of the church showing place of birth. The baptism must have taken place within two months of the birth. If this is not possible, affidavits of two U.S. citizens who have knowledge of the applicants birth in the United States. Naturalization papers or a valid U.S. passport will also work. Proof of marriage and the proof of ended previous marriages. Photocopies of divorce decrees, death certificates, and the marriage license will fill this requirement.

Completed home study with a recommendation by the state agency. Be sure to use a social worker or agency that understands the guidelines needed to be met with international adoptions. Different information is needed with an international adoption than with a domestic adoption.

Fingerprints of all adults over the age of 18 who reside in the home. After filing of the form; the INS will notify the petitioners with the time and place to be fingerprinted. Do not miss this appointment – it could mean a denial of your petition. Payment of the petition and fingerprinting fee per person. One check can be used for the entire sum (filing fee and fingerprint fee) made payable to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Check with your adoption agency or the USCIS for updated fee amounts.

File the I-600A with your local USCIS District or Sub-Office.

Once our I600A is approved we will recieve our I-171H "Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition"

Our approved I-600A remains valid for 18 months. Your fingerprints remain valid for only 15 months.

Finally! A process that will result in a baby in our arms as well as our hearts!!