Paper Work!!!

I decided to take a photo of the acceptance paper work progress! I had the whole dining room table full! I had pens and pencils. Folders and notebooks. My Korea Guidebook from Holt, and the Holt website for reference! It was nuts! It took me a long time, but I got it all done in one afternoon!

I had to first download and print out forms from USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). These were the Affidavit of Support Forms (I-864 and the I-864a) - two copies of each signed, with a copy of last years tax return with W2s and if needed pay check stubs. These show we are financially able to support Kathryn. And the Affidavit Concerning Exemption for Immigration - two copies, signed and notarized. This gives Kathryn exemption from the immunizations usually required for immigration because she is a baby.

Then Holt e-mailed me The Statement of Adoption - 4 copies signed and notarized, the Overseas Travel Form (1 copy notarized), which releases Holt from all liability during our travel. The Travel Option Form (3 copies signed, 2 back to Holt in Oregon, and 1 copy to our NJ branch office), this form lets them know if we are traveling or escorting. Then we had our invoice for payment, which is pretty self explanatory. We also got the Child Information Transmittal Memo (1 copy signed), this lists all the forms that came with our referral - child report, initial physical, medical summary, confidential background information (CBI) and photos. We have to sign to acknowledge that we received them all. We also needed copies of our birth certificates, and our marriage license, again!

After I filled it all out, I made Brian look it over to check for any mistakes. Then I called my Mom to come to read over the paperwork too! When all was good, we went to the notary and signed everything to be notarized. After that I made copies of everything! I wanted copies in case something got lost and I also wanted to keep a set of the paper work for Kathryn to see one day!

Then I made a mad dash to FedEx to have it all overnighted to Oregon. As I was filling out the address form, the woman asked if I was mailing anything good. I looked up and said, "Yes! I am mailing acceptance paper work for the baby girl we are adopting from South Korea!" She thought that it was really great and wished me and my family the best of luck with everything! She was so sweet!

As I walked back to the car I could not hide the smile on my face! Then I got into the car and sat down. As I turned the key to start the car, tears started to flow. I guess it was the let down from the stress of doing the forms all day. And every little thing that I receive or send is one step closer to bringing Kathryn home. I guess it was also tears of happiness to be one bit closer, to have everything more real!

If all the paperwork is in order, the papers should be FedEx'd to Korea on Friday. So, they will get them next week! Come on legals!