Acceptance paperwork on it's way
We sent off the acceptance paperwork for Adan's referral yesterday morning, so the process is officially started. Since it should be at our agency tomorrow, it should definitely get forwarded to Guatemala on Friday, which is the day of the week they typically forward all paperwork.
By the way, in all the chaos of getting a referral, I forgot to mention we received the good news that they had reviewed our dossier and all appears to be in order. That at least means we do not need to redo any paperwork for now. Once we get to PGN, any of it could potentially get kicked out and need to be redone. PGN stands for Procurduria General de la Nacion, which is kind of like the Attorney General's office in the US. They are in charge of officially approving our adoption by making sure all the correct and legal documentation has been submitted. We are probably several weeks from even entering PGN though.
I was incorrect yesterday when I posted that our next step is Family Court. First, a DNA test has to be done to verify the birth mother is indeed Adan's biological mother. Unfortunately, it normally takes 2-4 weeks after acceptance paperwork is received in Guatemala to even get the authorization to do the DNA test. Then an appt is made to have the birth mother appear at the doctor's office at the same time as Adan, so they both can be swabbed. The sample is then sent to a US lab for testing, which can take a while as well. I'm not sure if DNA testing must be done before our case can be filed with Family Court, but my guess would be that it would.
I decided tonight that I better start keeping a journal of dates and thoughts. Otherwise, I will never remember what happened when. Guess I'll start that right now!
By the way, in all the chaos of getting a referral, I forgot to mention we received the good news that they had reviewed our dossier and all appears to be in order. That at least means we do not need to redo any paperwork for now. Once we get to PGN, any of it could potentially get kicked out and need to be redone. PGN stands for Procurduria General de la Nacion, which is kind of like the Attorney General's office in the US. They are in charge of officially approving our adoption by making sure all the correct and legal documentation has been submitted. We are probably several weeks from even entering PGN though.
I was incorrect yesterday when I posted that our next step is Family Court. First, a DNA test has to be done to verify the birth mother is indeed Adan's biological mother. Unfortunately, it normally takes 2-4 weeks after acceptance paperwork is received in Guatemala to even get the authorization to do the DNA test. Then an appt is made to have the birth mother appear at the doctor's office at the same time as Adan, so they both can be swabbed. The sample is then sent to a US lab for testing, which can take a while as well. I'm not sure if DNA testing must be done before our case can be filed with Family Court, but my guess would be that it would.
I decided tonight that I better start keeping a journal of dates and thoughts. Otherwise, I will never remember what happened when. Guess I'll start that right now!
posted by Jill | 9:32 PM
5 Comments:
Hope you don't mind the comment - I found you through bloglines.
You can go into family court while waiting for your DNA however, if your DNA test isn't ready when they review your case, you will be kicked out and essentially put at the bottom of the pile. From what I understand from our attorney, it's always best to wait till DNA is complete to submit to family court.
Wishing you and your family a speedy process to bringing your son home.
Julie
Thanks so much for the information, Julie, and no I don't mind the comment at all.
I take you either already adopted or are in the process of adopting from Guatemala?
Jill
We are so happy and excited for the three of you!
You are in our prayers-Amy, GR, and RJ
Jill, what a great post to read. I already knew it, of course, but it's still great to read it again. On your blog. It must have felt so good to send off those papers.
We brought our son home in December. I hope you have as wonderful experience as we did! Feel free to visit my blog :)
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