Timelines are one the the first things I began looking for when we started this journey. Remember everyone’s story is different, but here is how our story has developed so far:
May 29, 2018– Pre-Application with initial agency
May 30, 2018– Call with Adoption Advisor at agency regarding different country programs
June 6-13, 2018 (Vacation)- Taking this time to consider the different programs; Call with Adoption Advisor while on vacation to answer questions
June 26, 2018– Application to initial agency ($350)
July 2018– Gather supporting documents; write personal statements; and complete Medical Needs Checklist for application (decided on China Program)
August 8, 2018– Application to home study agency ($150)
August 9, 2018– Application for home study approved ($2450)
August 23, 2018– Mail: SLED Criminal Record Checks ($8 each), SLED Sex Offender Checks (no charge), SC-DSS Child Abuse Clearances ($8 each) Tip- Go ahead and mail these as soon as possible because they can take a while!
August 31, 2018– Social Worker assigned
September 2018– Switch placement agencies and enter the South Korea Program
September 8, 2018– 1st Home Visit- joint interview
September 25, 2018- Mail application/forms to new placement agency ($5,200)
September 27, 2018– 2nd Home Visit- individual interviews and joint interview
October 4, 2018– Receive Dossier Packet from agency
October 7, 2018– Complete online education ($140)
October 10, 2018– 3rd Home Visit
October 10, 2018– Dave fingerprinting appointment ($50)
October 12, 2018– Kim fingerprinting appointment ($50)
October 15, 2018– Sign contract for South Korea Partnership (pay Part A- $1575)
October 26, 2018- Psychologist evaluations and testing appointments ($1,700)
December 27, 2018– Receive news of proposed legislation that would transfer adoptions from private agencies to regional government
January 9, 2019– Call with agency re South Korea program
January 10, 2019– FedEx packet of Dossier documents to agency
January 30, 2019– Receive finalized home study in mail
January 30, 2019– Submit I-600a application to USCIS via FedEx ($775 application + $170 fingerprints)
January 31, 2019- Our packet is sent to South Korea- OFFICIALLY A WAITING FAMILY!!!!
February 5, 2019 – Text Message: Receipt of I-600A with our Case #
February 11, 2019– Receive notices for our Biometric Appointments in the mail
February 20, 2019– Biometric Appointments
March 25, 2019– Receive 171-H approval notice in the mail (I-600A approval)!
April 2, 2019– Receive email notice that our case was sent to the US Embassy in Seoul
May 7, 2019– REFERRAL !!!!
May 23, 2019– Accept Referral (Korean Agency Fee $20,040; Acceptance Fee $4,000; Post Adoption Report Fee $1,400)
July 2, 2019– Send 1st care package
July 29, 2019– Submit I-600 Application to USCIS via FedEx
July 29, 2019– Submit Statement of Acceptance (this is sent to you prior to your EP Submission)
August 8, 2019– Receive DVD update with photos and videos!
August 24, 2019– Receive I-600 “Notice of Transfer” (transferred to USCIS Seoul Field Office)
September 3, 2019– EP Submission
September 18, 2019– Receive notice our approved I-600 was sent to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul
November 26, 2019– EP Approval
January 6, 2020– Submitted to Court
NEXT STEPS:
Court Date Assignment 1st Meeting
Court Hearing
Custody Date
Visa Hearing