Our Timeline

July 18, 2010: Started to talk about adoption and research options.
August 16, 2010: Decided on agency and sent in application.
August 27, 2010: Were told that the wait/process time would be about a year longer than we anticipated.

August 30, 2010: Contacted 2nd agency and were given wait/process time that was more in alignment with our expectations and the staff was friendlier – decided to switch. Sent in preliminary application.

August 31, 2010: Contacted our home study agent to get started!
September 2, 2010: Mailed in “formal application” and received our home study paperwork.
September 7, 2010: Finally able to get our fingerprints done and in the mail!
September 9, 2010: Fingerprints arrive at FBI
September 12, 2010: Received Dossier/USCIS paperwork
September 13, 2010: Dropped off paperwork to doctor’s office, set up doctor’s appointment for Chris, got passport photos, ordered birth certificates and marriage license, got criminal record letters from sheriff’s office… enjoyed a movie to celebrate our hard work!
September 17, 2010: Chris had blood drawn for medical tests
September 20, 2010: 1st home study meeting

October 4, 2010: 2nd home study meeting

November 2, 2010: fingerprinting results received

November 12, 2010: Completed homestudy in our hands!!!

November 12, 2010: I-600A mailed

November 18, 2010: I-600A check was cashed

November 22, 2010: New homestudy received for Ghana and request to change our I-600A to Ghana sent to USCIS.

November 22, 2010: I-600A notification received

December 10, 2010: Received fingerprint appointments

December 16, 2010: Officially waiting

December 22, 2010: Fingerprint appointments

January 10, 2011: I-171H received

January 15, 2011: Dossier mailed to Ghana

January 25, 2011: REFERRAL!!!!

January 27, 2011: Chris and I got our vaccinations

February 14, 2011: Heather got her visa in the mail!

February 23, 2011: Heather leaves for Ghana and meets our new little man

March 11, 2011: Court date.. NOT

March 17, 2011: Court date!

March 30, 2011: Received adoption decree with incorrect birthdate.

April 15, 2011: Received correct adoption decree. Told it would be 1 week for the birth certificate.

May 24, 2011: FINALLY got the birth certificate with a different birth father name

May 25, 2011: Mailed in our 1-600

June 6, 2011: Received a letter from USCIS stating that they need the birth certificate within 45 days. Mailed it the next day.

June 13, 2011: Called and spoke to our USCIS agent. She received the bc and said she should have everything she needs, but didn’t want to give me any sort of timeline.

June 22, 2011: Corrected birth certificate was obtained

June 24, 2011: Received I600 approval!!!! Sent email to Embassy requesting to pick up visa packet

July 11, 2011: Received email from Embassy allowing us to pick up visa packet

July 13, 2011: Picked up our visa packet and requested an interview appointment.

Juy 15, 2011: Received emailed response giving us August 16th interview appointment

August 9, 2011: Passport picked up and Medical exam done

August: 16, 2011: Embassy appointment!!! They requested a new POA with DOB and photos of us with Kwasi. New appointment for next Tuesday.

August: 23, 2011: 2nd Embassy appointment goes great! We are told that the visa will be printed September 9th.

August 30, 2011: Received an email from the embassy saying the visa was printed. Bought new tickets to get Coen!

September 3, 2011: Left at 6:20 a.m. headed to Ghana

September 4, 2011: Picked up our Coen!!!!

September 6, 2011: Left for home

September 7, 2011: Reunited with the rest of our family. Coen meets everyone for the first time!