Kirchhoff Family Web

The Process of Adopting Peng Peng

Adopting Nicky is a slightly different process than adopting Noelle. Nicky is a waiting child and while the route to him involves the same paperwork and travels as to Noelle, the order and timing are jumbled up differently. When adopting a waiting child the process is:

find the child
request pre-approval to adopt the child from the CCAA
receive pre-approval
send your dossier to China
receive travel approval
travel

Time Lines

	Receive Agency Approval	LOI to CCAA	Complete Homestudy	PA	Receive I171h	DTC	LID	Receive TA	Travel
The Ideal	6/30/2005	8/1/2005	8/30/2005	10/1/2005	9/30/2005	10/7/2005	10/21/2005	12/7/2005	January
The Elapsed Time	6/30/2005	37 days after begun	87 days after begun	46 days after LOI	26 days after Homestudy	9 days after I171h	14 days after DTC	105 days after LID	Dependent on TA
The Reality	6/30/2005	8/6/2005	9/24/2005	9/21/2005	10/19/2005	10/28/2005	11/11/2005	2/24/2006	4 - 8 weeks after TA

The Detailed Checklist

Find the child!!!

China entrusts a small set of US agencies with placing their special need's children. Every 3 months or so, each agency is provided with a "list" of children. They have referral information on each child (much like I received in Noelle's referral packet). The agencies usually also have additional information on the child's special need.

1/1/2005 - 6/30/2005

Receive approval from the agency to proceed with the adoption.

I'll be working with Children's House International (CHI) for this adoption. My agency for Noelle's adoption, HAPS, will be handling my homestudy.

6/30/2005

Draft a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA).

7/4/2005

Wait on China to send back Nicky's LOI form which was not sent in his original package. Transfer the CHI approved LOI to the formal document and send to CHI.

7/2005

The LOI is paired with a similar letter written by the agency, the Basic Information Letter (BIL), explaining why they think Noelle and I are the best family for this boy and both letters are mailed off to the CCAA. Submit a financial statement to CHI to determine net assets (needed for BIL).

8/1/2005

Formally apply to CHI and pay initial fees.

7/2005

The CCAA writes back with Pre-Approval (PA). The PA letter states that so long as everything in my dossier and homestudy supports what was written in the LOI and the BIL, I will be approved to adopt Zhao Peng. At the moment, LOI to PA is taking between 2 and 3 months for singles.

9/21/2005

Complete the homestudy:

a)	Medical form for me	9/2/2005
b)	Medical form for Noelle	8/2005
c)	List of references	7/12/2005
d)	4 letters of recommendation	8/2005
e)	Current financial verification (last year's tax return)	7/12/2005
f)	Copy of adoption decree & birth certificate for Noelle	7/12/2005
g)	CARI form	7/12/2005
h)	CHRI fingerprints	7/27/2005
i)	Data form	7/12/2005
j)	Declaration form	7/12/2005
k)	Verification of Adoptive Parent Preparation	8/2005
l)	Local police clearance or letter of good conduct	9/2/2005
m)	Guardianship statement (ask HAPS to attach it to the back of the homestudy)	8/2005
n)	Single's affidavit	7/12/2005
o)	Permission to release information form	--
p)	Get state background check back	8/2005
q)	Get federal background check back	8/2005
q)	One visit with my social worker	7/27/2005
r)	One class	8/3/2005
s)	$30 for CARI check	9/2/2005

9/24/2005

Send homestudy to CHI for review with second fee (the big one).

9/13/2005

10.

Complete BCIS paperwork:

a)	Form I-600a & $590	7/13/2005
b)	Get fingerprints taken	9/30/2005
c)	Submit homestudy	9/27/2005
d)	Receive I-171-h	10/19/2005

10/19/2005

11.

Pull together the documents that CHI needs:

a)	CHI Application, application fee, & family photograph	7/15/2005
b)	Receive formal approval and send first fee.	9/13/2005
c)	Copy of birth certificate	7/15/2005
d)	Copy of bank statement	7/15/2005
e)	Send copies of all documents submitted to HAPS for homestudy & not required of CHI in other places.	7-10/2005
f)	Proof of health insurance	7/15/2005
g)	Proof of life insurance	7/15/2005
h)	Copies of last three years tax returns	7/15/2005
i)	Family photographs	7/15/2005
j)	Homestudy report & big first fee	9/13/2005
k)	Dossier	10/27/2005
l)	2 or 3 additional classes	9/13/2005
m)	Acknowledgement of Receipt and Review of Parent Education Handbook (SW must sign)	9/2005
n)	Parenting Resource Plan (with or before homestudy)	9/13/2005
o)	Agency Retainer Agreement	9/13/2005
p)	China Program Financial Agreement	9/13/2005
q)	Statement of Post-Placement Commitment	9/13/2005
r)	CHI International Child Acceptance Release	9/13/2005
s)	Agreement Regarding Risks of Travel	9/13/2005

9/13/2005

12.

Pull together the documents for the dossier:

a)	Adoption application letter stating intent to adopt a Chinese child.	9/30/2005
b)	Birth certificate	6/30/2005
c)	Notarized copy of financial statement (CHI form)	9/30/2005
d)	Letter from employer stating salary, number of years employed, position, annual salary and likelihood of continued employment	8/2005
e)	Notarized Health Examination Certificate (CHI form)	9/13/2005
f)	Notarized letter from local police on criminal history stating that I have no criminal record	9/13/2005
g)	Notarized homestudy report with entrustment from and homestudy agency license attached	9/30/2005
h)	Notarized copy of CIS I-171-H	10/26/2005
i)	Multiple clear copies of passport showing signature and photo	10/26/2005
j)	2 passport photos	10/26/2005
k)	At least 6 photos of family life	10/26/2005
l)	Dossier Family Info form -- cover page to China	10/26/2005
m)	Notarized Single's Certification on non-marriage	9/13/2005
n)	Notarized Affidavit of Chinese Policy on Sexuality for Singles (attach to Application Letter and make sure it is notarized by the same notary as the one that notarized the application letter)	9/30/2005

13.

Authenticate all documents with New York County/New York State and New Jersey.

9/2005 - 10/2005

14.

Authenticate all documents with the Chinese consulate.

10/2005

15.

Submit dossier to CHI with last payment and $365 CCAA processing fee

10/26/2005

16.

Receive back LID and DTC confirmation from the CCAA

12/2005

17.

Receive back Travel Approval (TA) from the CCAA.

DTC to TA for waiting children is running 10 to 12 weeks.

2/24/2006

18.

Travel and bring the child home.

Travel is often 3 to 5 weeks after TA.

March 2006