We are getting all of our documents sent off to be apostilled. Maybe my excitement was a little too early. We are not quite waiting yet. Our major discouragement is with getting a police clearance apostilled in Germany. Adoption clearances are harder when you have lived in multiple states or countries after the age of 18. Who knew? Germany is no longer apostilling documents for people outside of Germany. Any ideas? Scott and our agency are exploring options such as talking to the German consulate. Hopefully our paperwork will be apostilled in two weeks. I will keep you posted.
I asked for a new timeline for waiting. Our agency SMIA, told me it is about 2-3 months to get translated and get in line for a referral, and then realistically 2 months after that for a referral. We were hoping for quicker! I guess everyone wants it to be quicker! We've waited so long for our little ones, and any longer just seems hard. Does anyone know if 2 kids is faster nowadays? I heard it was, and then last year it wasn't. I was just wondering. I guess I can put it on my question list for my agency!
Thanks for all your well wishes! Just seeing other adoption successes and hearing about referrals makes me happy and gives me hope. Thanks for all your posts.
I hope you figure out how to apostille your paperwork! My husband and I have been waiting over 11 months for our referral, we are currently in the process of renewing all of our paperwork. We are asking for a sibling set under 5 or a single child under 3. When I talked to a social worker with SMIA a few weeks ago she said 12 months for an older child, and longer for a younger child. I am not sure on siblings. I hope this helps you!
ReplyDeleteWow, someone told you 2 months....never heard of that quick. We were told by St. Mary's 4 to 10 months on a wait list. I hope you can get the Germany thing to work for you!
ReplyDeleteThis month marks our 12 months wait for a child 3 or under. We were lucky to not have lived in to many places after 18 so did not have to go through that struggle. Now, just as Renee, we are working on updating all our paperwork that is expiring soon. At the time I thought the 16 month would be more than enought time. Que sera . . .
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting your paperwork apostilled. We have not been able to get any info. from the agency on how long of a wait to expect. But we have been waiting 4 months as of next week for our referral.
ReplyDeleteThe wait will be short if you are willing to adopt older child(ren) or child(ren) with some medical issues…
ReplyDeleteYounger (up to 5-6 years) and healthy kids are easily adoptable in Poland, so technically they are not available for international adoption…. There are many couples in Poland waiting for years as well....
This is why some people are waiting longer, because they are waiting for younger kids – the more flexible you are, the sooner you will see referrals coming your way….
Good Luck :-)
Two doesn't necessarily mean it's faster. If you applied for only two instead of "one or two", it could potentially slow it up.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't have any more unexpected delays.
I agree with Julie...the less specific you are the better. I also don't believe that there is a "line" for referrals. I honestly believe everyone who is involved really tries to match the children with the perfect family. So someone may get one a lot sooner than someone who has been waiting for a long time.I can only speak from our experience-but we couldn't have been matched more perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI also hope and pray that everyone gets a referral very soon! I know it is a hard wait
Good luck on getting all the apostilles done- what a lengthy process! I agree with what everyone else has said here as well and it sounds like you are on your way.
ReplyDeleteAnd can I just add a little cautionary note. Not to dissuade you (or anyone else) in any way but just make sure you are really prepared to parent two children right off the bat. Its not easier with one or two, just different; but you have to be ready because with 2 comes double everything. I know its commmon sense and its great for the siblings, but can be quite overwhelming to new parents. I totally mean this in the most helpful way, not critical or negative. Being flexible is good and as long as its the right two, it could work out great (look at Ramie!). Of course, you being a teacher, you should do great. I hope something wonderful comes through soon!
Ugh, it's always something, isn't it? I can't believe that about Germany. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be waiting before you know it!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your updates! Still in your cheering section.
ReplyDeleteGermany actually turned out great. We had to have it translated and certified. It cost more money, but it was quick. *Sigh
ReplyDelete