Your last group of steps!
In-Country Process
Now comes more waiting – at least for you. Your agency and their staff in your country will be working hard to complete the legal process required to bring your child home. Your agency should give you an idea of how much time to expect this to take. Some countries only take a few months, others are closer to nine months. Remember also that sometimes things go wrong and your case may take longer than anyone anticipated. While you are waiting is a good time to begin preparing for your child – as well as obsessively checking your email and voice mail to see if there are any updates on your adoption.
Travel
Finally, that wonderful day will come and you will receive the call that you can travel to pick up your child. This is one of those “where were you when . . .” type of questions for the adoption world. You will never forget where you were and what you were doing when you get this wonderful phone call.
Depending on which country you have chosen, you may have just a few days notice before you have to be in the country, or you may have a few weeks. Again, this is something that your agency can tell you so that you will know what to expect when the time comes.
Gotcha Day
“Gotcha Day” is an awesome day for adoptive families. This is the day that you “got” your child and he or she is yours forever. Once you arrive in your child’s country, you will usually be able to pick up your child within a day or two. Remember to take a camera and lots of tissues!
Tying Up Lose Ends
Each country has it’s own requirements for what you need to do before you can leave the country with your child. Usually, this will include a trip to the U.S. Embassy. You will also have to obtain your child’s visa and other important documents. For some countries you will only need to stay for a few days to take care of these things, others take several weeks or even a month.
Going Home
Finally, your child is yours and you are on your way home. You will probably be excited and happy and exhausted and a little sad all at the same time. Most adoptive parents report a rush of emotions. The first few days and weeks as a family will be difficult, but they will also be some of the most amazing moments in your life. Enjoy your child and take comfort in the knowledge that all of the work and wanting and waiting was completely worth it in the end!
Note: See Steps in International Adoption Part 1 and Part 2 for the rest of this series.