Referral Acceptance Paperwork

Our official referral acceptance date is March 25, 2010. I wanted to document the paperwork that we completed and turned in for this step in the process. From what I have gathered, different agencies and programs do the paperwork differently in terms of timing and according to the situation, etc. I have found it helpful to read about others' experiences so I can have an idea of what to expect. Anyway, here is the paperwork we completed last month as we officially accepted our referral:

• Statement of Adoption
• Adoptive Child Disclosure
  
• Affidavit Concerning Exemption from Immigrant Vaccination Requirements for a Foreign Adopted Child (A U.S. Department of State form that basically says we will ensure our child is up to date on vaccinations, etc. We had to complete two copies of this one and have them notarized. LaWanda--our agency paperwork extraordinaire who is pictured with us above--is a notary public, so that is very helpful!)
• I-864 (USCIS form--Affidavit of Support indicating that you will provide "the intending immigrant" (form wording) any support necessary to maintain him or her.)
  
• I-864A (Contract between Sponsor and Household Member--Tanna is the "sponsor," and I am the "household member." With this form, I promise to "provide any and all financial support necessary to assist the sponsor in maintaining the sponsored immigrant(s)." Additionally, I "agree to be jointly and severally liable for payment of any and all obligations owed by the sponsor," among other things.)
  
• Complete copy of our most recent (2009) federal tax return, including ALL supporting schedules and attachments and W-2 forms.
• Photocopies of our birth, marriage and citizenship certificates.
• There is additional paperwork required if you are planning to travel to Korea--but we are using the escort service, so we did not have to complete those forms.
  
• I think that is pretty much it for this round. This was a piece of cake compared to the home-study paperwork.
  

I also should note--in case someone is reading who is interested in pursuing adoption--that, in our program, a large portion of the adoption fees are due upon accepting a referral. Another portion is due at the time of the home study. A few other fees are due at other times, but these are the two main payments. Please keep in mind that there are grants and other opportunities available to assist families with the expenses. HTH!