Keep your immigration paperwork current!  If your I-171H/I-797C is expired, please consider renewing your paperwork.  If your immigration paperwork is not up to date when you are matched with a child, this could SIGNIFICANTLY delay your travel.  We have seen some families have to wait at least 4 extra months to travel for their child when trying to obtain a valid home study and clearance.

If you are not signed up with an agency or working on your dossier yet, it would be best to start this process as soon as possible.  I know some families are waiting for when they find their child to begin, however, it can take up to a year to complete a dossier and travel.  This is a long time for your child to wait! 

For both of the above circumstances, it is important to note that when I am looking for the best possible placement for any child, it is always in the child’s best interest to be able to come home as soon as possible.  Priority will always be given to families who are already logged-in AND have a current immigration approval or families who are in the dossier phase with an already completed home study. 

Keep your waiting child application current!  I know it may seem redundant to repeat the application every six months.  This is the best way for me to keep up with the needs you are willing to consider as well as to reiterate your continued interest in the program.  Older applications are not deleted; however priority is given to applications that are less than 6 months old.

Submitting an application does not guarantee we will find your child.  We know that submitting the application is one more way you are opening up your hearts and becoming vulnerable in this international adoption process.  Our hope is that we will find a family for every child and a child for every family.  However, this doesn’t always happen through the Waiting Child route, and not every family will find their child this way.  Please know we always keep every family in mind, and if there is a child who just may be your little one, we will certainly give you a call.