Remaining Steps of the Process

We are still in the Parquet Court...but of course we are looking ahead to what is to come. Sometimes that is truly overwhelming. Here is a list of what is currently going on in our adoption process. THIS is why the process takes so long. There are SO many steps...we just need to keep our focus on the fact that the Lord is in control of our progress and each step forward is a step closer to being all together again!


Parquet Court
The 'step' we refer to as Parquet court is actually a very complex series of steps and processes involving
multiple offices and repeated trips between them.

1. Attorney addresses a Request for Judgment to the Chief Justice of Parquet Court
2. Birth parents are interviewed in Parquet Court
3. Parquet Court signs off on "approval judgement for adoption"
4. Facilitator takes approval to DGI for stamp of authorization
5. Back to Parquet for enforcement of the approval judgement
6. Authorization and redaction from the Civil Registrar Officer for legal Adoption Decree
7. Verification in Parquet of the adoption documents by the Civil Registrar before signing the
adoption decree
8. First Legalization of the Adoption Decree, in Parquet Court
9. Second Legalization of the Adoption Decree, at the Ministry of Justice
10. Third Legalization of the Adoption Decree, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
11. Obtain attestation of Adoption Decree from the National Archives

Ministry of the Interior (MOI)
All international adoption cases are reviewed by the Ministry of Interior. In order to obtain authorization
to request a passport, the following documents must be submitted for each child:

1. Four passport sized pictures
2. Birth Certificate
3. Attestation for the Birth Certificate
4. Extract from the National Archives for the Birth Certificate
5. Relinquishment
6. Process Verbal of adoption
7. Adoption approval judgement
8. Adoption Decree
9. Attestation of the Adoption Decree
10. Power of Attorney for creche director and/or attorney
11. Stamp from DGI
12. Notary letter for the passport
13. Identification card of facilitator and/or attorney on the case
14. Biological parents' identification cards
15. Adoptive parents' MOI form, identification, and passport phot

The Ministry of Interior will grant authorization to submit the dossier to Haitian Immigrations for a
passport.

Haitian Immigrations
The facilitator will submit authorization to apply for a passport to Haitian Immigrations. This is generally
a quick process - one to two weeks, if all equipment is working properly.

US Immigrations
US Immigrations performs the most rigorous investigation of international adoptions. Parts of the US Immigrations process can occur concurrently with the Haitian process, however USCIS
cannot sign off on the case until they have verified the final Adoption Decree and the child's passport.
DNA may be requested at any time. American families are advised to work closely with their agencies to ensure a smooth and efficient US Immigrations process for their child.

Approximately three to four weeks following completion of all USCIS investigations and adjudication of
the I600 for the child, the case will be forwarded to the Department of State for issuance of a Visa. The
Department of State also has the right to request DNA testing for birth parent and child. Adoptive
parents need not be present for the Visa appointment.

Parents who can prove that they visited their child prior to the issuance of the Adoption Decree by
Parquet Court will be issued an IR-3 Visa. Their children will be automatically granted full US Citizenship
upon arrival in the US.

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REMAINING STEPS SUMMARY
Enter Parquet Court
Parquet Approval
1st legalization of the Adoption Decree by Parquet Court
2nd Legalization of the Adoption Decree by Ministry of Justice
3rd Legalization of the Adoption Decree by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Attestation from the National Archives
Adoption Decree Granted
Adoption Decree is reviewed by the Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior submits request for Passport
Passport issued by Haitian Immigrations
Boys get their physical exam
Visa issued by US Immigrations
Bring Elijah and Judah home
Elijah and Judah become US Citizens as soon as they get off the plane!

All legitimate adoptions must follow each one of these steps, and must do so under extremely difficult conditions. It is a shame that the process takes so long, and yet, when we look at the immensely complicated process, we must realize what a miracle it is when each child comes home. We have seen four families bring their children home in the last two months and about 10 additional families are piecing together the last few steps and will bring about 25 children home in the next 4-6 months. We are in the wave of families directly following them. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to have many hurdles to make it over!

Praying for patience,
Rebecca