This is what we have been through.....

This is the laundry list that we have to go through to get her home at this point. Of course they don't include all the lag time where no one works or they work, just not at their own jobs. GRRRR!!!! Just let our kids come HOME already!!!!!!!

1. Attorney picks up the file from PGN

2. Attorney arranges the birth mother to come and sign (same week usually)

3. The Final Escritura (final adoption deed) is drafted

4. The Final Escritura is dropped off to be registered in the general archives (RENAP)

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY WAITING:

5. The Final Escritura is ready and picked up

6. The New birth certificate is requested from the civil registry where your child was born

7. The new birth certificate is ready and picked up (varies greatly depending upon municipality)

8. Baby is taken for new passport. Pictures also need to be taken on Passport Day – pictures are used for Embassy Doctor visit and to prepare Embassy Day package.

9. The new birth certificate and the entire adoption file of documents are sent for translation from Spanish to English

10. After translation, the final file is submitted to the Embassy for pink slip and the lawyer is given a second DNA authorization slip and an authorization for the Embassy doctor exam. FTC processes payment with US Lab and faxes confirmations to Guatemala lab.

11. The child is taken to the Guatemala lab for a second DNA test. The Guatemala lab sends samples that same day to the US lab. The Embassy medical exam is also done on this day.

12. When the Embassy receives the results from the lab in the U.S. indicating a match with the first DNA test, it issues the pink slip (probably about 2-4 weeks after the second test).

13. Pink slip is emailed to parent(s) - embassy appointment day and time will be printed on the slip. FTC will send you instructions by email and you book your flights.

14. Please forward your pink slip to your case manager so that the office in Guatemala knows when your appointment is.

15. You come for Embassy interview appointment (M, T, W, or Fri, currently one to two weeks after pink)

16. Next business day – Visa is ready (3:00 pm M-Th; 11:00 am Fri.). One parent will be required to go to the Embassy to pick up the visa. The Embassy will no longer allow agencies to do this.

17. Next Day – you can fly home