Check I-800 off the list!

We got news that our I-800 petition to classify Faith as an immediate family member was approved. The next step is called
article 5

Before Your Child Immigrates to the United States


If the child you adopted or intend to adopt in the United States is residing abroad, the child will need an immigrant visa to enter the United States. Visas are issued by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) at the Embassy or Consulate in the foreign country where your child resides.

The type of visa your child is issued will determine what steps you will need to take for the child to acquire U.S. citizenship.


Visas
Visa types for Hague Adoptions
IH-3 visa: Issued for children with full and final adoptions from a Hague Convention country

Faith's big sister Kylee went to homecoming!

Faith participated in the Walk the Wall 2009

You can see her briefly at 1:54 minutes into the video. She is being carried by a volunteer.

Walk the Wall 2009: Hengyang, China from International China Concern on Vimeo.

I want this sweatshirt!!!

I found a cute website that makes custom Chinese clothing for adoptive families...
http://www.cafepress.com/redthreadmaps.98127011

Our Petition has been logged into the system today!

The National Benefits Center ( USCIS) contacted our agency today and confirmed that they have received our paperwork/petition today!!! So it looks like the forwarding of our mail did not get lost! Yippy!!

I went to the Department of Immigration and Homeland Security website and found this explanation on what we are waiting for at this stage of adopting Faith... it was very helpful for me.


Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative
Purpose of Form :
To determine the child's eligibility for classification as a Convention adoptee. The petition is filed by the U.S. Citizen prospective adoptive parent to finalize the immigration process of a child who habitually resides in a Convention country. The petitioner must have an approved, valid Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country, in order to file the Form I-800.
Number of Pages :
Instructions: 8; Form: 9; Supplement 1: 1.
Edition Date :
04/16/09. Prior edition accepted.
Where to File :
Regular Mail:

USCIS
P.O. Box 299008
Lewisville, TX 75029

Express Mail and Courier Service deliveries:

USCIS
ATTN: Hague
2501 S. State Hwy. 121 Business, Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

Filing Fee :
No fee is required for the first Form I-800 filed for a child on the basis of an approved Form I-800A. If more than one Form I-800 is filed during the approval period for different children, the fee is $670 for the second and each subsequent Form I-800. However, if the children are siblings before the proposed adoption, no additional filing fee is required.