The Paperchase



"Crows everywhere are equally black." A Chinese Proverb.


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The first thing I would like everyone to know is that the paperchase is not always a dreadful procedure, although I am sure there are several out there who could prove me dead wrong! .

The single most important thing that I did was to buy an organizer for all of my paperwork. I did this right when I started collecting papers for my dossier. Any notebook with sections will work, but I found a beautiful handmade organizer online. Also, from that same company, I found a beautiful Baby Book specifically designed for adoptive single moms. These two items were the first things I got in the mail. They were so beautiful! The organizer was covered in red and gold silk and the baby book was covered in white and gold silk! I just love them both. Anyway, the organizer really helps me because I keep all of my papers in there and whenever I need to find something, I just look for the bright red and gold silk-covered notebook, (the one that's about 3 inches thick!)

I was SO lucky to have completed my paperchase so quickly and with such unexpected ease. I compare it to not having had "morning sickness!" Of course, that is meant to be a joke, since I have never even been pregnant! Anyway, I am going to try and list the steps I took from start to finish in completing this project.

Because I am single, I only needed eleven documents to complete my dossier. All but two, needed to be notarized, verified, and authenticated. Below is a list of the documents that made up my Dossier for China. Price Tag: N=Notarized: FREE, V=Verified: $10.00 each, A=Authenticated: $20.00 each

  1. Dossier Cover Letter
  2. Adoption Application Letter (N,V,A)
  3. Local Police Clearance Letter (N,V,A)
  4. Employer Verification Letter (N,V,A)
  5. Financial Statement (N,V,A)
  6. Physical Examination (N,V,A)
  7. Affidavit of Single Status (N,V,A)
  8. Certified Copy of Birth Certificate (N,V,A)
  9. International Home Study (N,V,A)
  10. Photocopy of INS I-171H Form (N,V,A)
  11. Copy of Passport
BEST TIP: DO NOT use overnight mail, it is very expensive! Instead, send documents Federal Express 3 Day Mail, and it will usually make it to its destination the next morning. It worked for me every time and I saved a bundle. Don't forget to ask for the tracking number of each document you send, so you can call, or check the internet for the progress.


Day By Day
The Initial Thought-October 4, 2000
It was a Wednesday morning and we had no work because all of Miami came to a screeching halt due to terrential floods! So, I was skipping around through the web, looking for whatever interested me at the time, when by accident, I ended up in Holt International's Website. I began reading and was fascinated with the stories of adoption, specifically from China. After reading that, I looked for more and on that rainy day, I decided that I was going to adopt a baby girl from China immediately!
Finding My Agency-October 5, 2000
I found my agency through a friend I called on the phone. She had adopted two beautiful little girls from China and gave me a thumbs up recommendation on WACAP (World Asscociation of Children and Parents), located in Seattle, WA. I took her word at face value and immediately decided that was the place I was going to apply for adoption!
The Application-October 10, 2000
I saved time by looking up the WACAP agency online and then downloaded their application. I filled it out, sent the fee, and off it went in the mail. WACAP called me on Friday, October 13th to say that my application had been accepted and we were well on our way. Boy, did that feel good! And I saw my first ladybug today, right in front of my nose, when I rang the doorbell of my grandmother's house! What a wonderful day! Price Tag: $100.00
Letters of Reference-October 11, 2000
My agency needed three reference letters for my file. I found out about this online also. So, I asked my brother, my best friend, and my friend at work, who will also be the honorary grandmother to Kate, since my mother passed away. They all wrote their letters very quick and I sent them to my agency to place in my file. This took no time at all, seeing that I have such wonderful friends and family!
INS 600-A Form-October 12, 2000
Again, thank God for modern technology! I downloaded the INS 600-A form right off the internet at INS. Now, I read online that to expedite the situation, the forms that you download should be copied onto salmon-colored paper. I took my downloaded copy to Kinko's and they made me a couple of lovely salmon-colored forms. Isn't that great?!! I was quite impressed. Needless to say, those went to the Miami INS office that very day and were rec'd the next day! That form required payment, so I sent a check. Big Mistake, I got the check back! They only accept money orders or cashier's checks! Well, that only held me up a couple of days, because INS sent me my Fingerprint Appointment within a couple of days. Price Tag: $430.00
Adoption Application Letter-October 12, 2000
I didn't waste any time at all writing my reasons for wanting to adopt. I found a sample letter online and used it as a guide. My letter was accepted by my agency without having to make any changes!
Physical Exam-October 20, 2000
I also went to my physician today who did a full physical examination with all the necessary blood work. I told him about my plan to adopt and he was very happy! It took a few days for all the test results to come back, and I passed with flying colors! He completed the medical form that my agency gave me and sent it to me in the mail. Price Tag: $10.00
FBI Fingerprints-"Take 1"-October 23, 2000
My fingerprint experience was somewhat unusual! I got to the INS office and they took me within 5 minutes. A young woman began to take my prints, which was pretty neat, seeing them come out on the computer screen. She did them over and over and still did not seem happy. So, I asked her if there was a problem. She said no that she was just trying to get clear prints. Well, after trying a few more times, she went and got someone else, and she tried. She felt more confident that she got good clear prints and it was over. I was finished with another step! WRONG!
The Nursery-Week of October 23, 2000
I felt that in order to pass the time, I had to be able to see the baby's nursery, so I went to the Baby Superstores and looked around. I found a crib that I fell in love with. It is a lovely pale butter yellow. I also found the most precious wall border from Royal Doulton's Bunnykins. The colors are delicious! Next, I decided to paint the room a pale spring green and do the border. It looked better than I had pictured it. Then, I went back and bought the crib. The rest of the thngs I got from a parent at my school. The room is coming together beautifully! Price Tag: Approx. $700.00
The "Bad" INS Call-October 26, 2000
Angie, the INS Officer, called to tell me that the FBI rejected my fingerprints! They came back "unreadable". Now what in the world does that mean? It means that my skin is so dry, that my prints didn't show up on the computer! So, Angie said that I had to get my prints done again! She also advised me to start using a good hand lotion until then!
The Verification Process-October 27, 2000
I got seven out of the nine papers verified at the Secretary of State's Office today. Luckily, we have an office in Downtown Miami, about 15 minutes away. They do not take cash, so you can only pay with a check. The entire process took about 10 minutes and parking was a breeze! Now, maybe you can begin to see why my paperchase was so fast and easy! I must return to this office when I get the last two papers I need, my homestudy and my INS 171-H approval letter. They must also be verified at an additional $10.00 each when I get them. Price Tag for 7 documents: $70.00
My Homestudy-October 31, 2000
After contacting a few Social Service Agencies, and being told that I would have to wait about 3 months, I felt really bad. So, I called my agency and they gave me another agency to try called Jewish Family Services in Miami Beach, and I was able to get an appointment within a week. Today, Halloween Day, my Social Worker arrived at my home. She was so very nice and the meeting went extremely well. She loved everything. Believe it or not, I wasn't nervous at all about any of this. By the way, I got my final homestudy report in exactly two weeks! Amazing! Price Tag: $1200.00
FBI Fingerprints-"Take 2"-November 1, 2000
Back to INS for special permission from the wonderful supervisor there that took me without an appointment due to my unusual circumstances, (and sad puppy dog eyes). After lots of creams and liquids massaged into each fingertip, numerous computer images, one very patient INS employee, two INS supervisors looking on, and about an hour and a half later, my fingerprints were indeed very clear! Even I could see the difference!
FBI Approval-November 6, 2000
Yippee!!!! Angie called to say that my fingerprints were accepted. What a relief!
INS I-171 Approval Letter-November 25, 2000
Well, this was the final piece of the puzzle that I needed in order to send off my Dossier to the Chinese Consulate in Houston, Texas for authentication! Make sure that you send a notarized copy of your I-171 form because you need your original to take to China with you!
The Authentication Process-November 27, 2000
Well, all my paperwork that had been notarized and verified right here in Miami was sent to be authenticated by the Chinese Consulate in Houston. I sent it Fed Ex 3 Day Mail on Monday around 4:30 pm and it arrived in Houston on Tuesday, the next morning at 10:00 am! Inside the envelope to the Consulate, I placed another Fed Ex envelope that I had already paid for, and in there I placed the copy of my passport. Then, on Thursday, Nov. 30th, the Consulate sent the paid envelope with my authenticated dossier to my agency in Seattle. The envelope arrived at my agency on December 2, 2000. What a quick turnaround! The Houston Consulate did a magnificent job! Thanks Houston!Price Tag for Authentication of 9 documents: $180.00/Price Tag for Fed Ex: $24.00
Digital Camcorder-November 30, 2000
After quite a bit of research, I decided to buy a Canon ZR10 Digital Camcorder. The cheapest place I found it was out of state, at Advanced Video Systems, for about $200.00 less than anywhere else. So, I bought it. This was not my idea because I have never cared for video cameras, but all my friends warned me that I better not even consider coming back home without a travelogue of China! Now, I am so happy I have the camera. It is very small, extremely lightweight, has an excelent battery life and takes the most beautiful videos I have ever seen! I just love it and it is so easy to operate, even for video dummies like me! This was my best buy, so far. Price Tag: $711.00
WACAP's Initial Processing Fee-November 6, 2000
Time to pay up! I sent my first payment to my agency today. I also filled out the final forms for entry into Wacap's China Adoption Program. Now, we are just waiting for at least 3 other people to make an official group. Of course, the holidays are going to hold things up and give us a DTC (Dossier to China) date in early January. Price Tag: $3100.00
Dossier To China!-January 8, 2001
Yippee!!!! WACAP said that not only was I DTC, but that a WACAP representative from the China Program was travelling to China and was going to hand deliver my dossier, along with 5 others, to CCAA! Wow, it just can't get much better than that! Oh, Happy Day!
February 2001
My brother and I went to Toronto to surprise my uncle for his 50th birthday. He had no idea we were coming and it was Jeff's first time, so my uncle nearly died when he saw us! The Canadians thought that the snow was finally over, as it had all melted and hadn't snowed in over a week. Little did they know that my brother and I, on the plane ride up from Miami, wished so hard for snow, that within an hour of our arrival, the snow started and came down steady the entire 5 days we were there! The Canadians did not share in our excitement! But we all had a wonderful time!
March 2001
I went to Paris for my 41st birthday. I had a wonderful time, did a lot of shopping, especially for the baby! It was still quite cold there, but there really is nothing like Paris in the springtime.
April 2001
April flew by and I was very busy at school. There is a rumor this month that the CCAA was perhaps speeding up a little with the referrals. I hope that pans out because then I would definitely have Kate before Christmas!
May 2001
Hey, wait a minute! WHERE DID MAY GO?
June 2001
Well, I figure we are about half way through the wait. I have started to have a couple of days where I am really longing to hold my baby. But, I keep a positive outlook because I know I will be doing just that very soon. I finished the nursery, redid the closet and the bathroom, and organized everything! I sent my quilt squares off to be made into a beautiful quilt, since I have no clue how to do it. My sister-in-law is going to teach me how to crochet a little cotton blanket for Kate, and I am travelling this summer to Canada. I remain happy each day knowing that it is one day closer to traveling to China.
July 2001
I spoke to my agency to try and find out what their opinion of a travel month might be for someone whose dossier went to China in the beginning of January...and they said December or January referral, and late February, early March travel. So, my idea of Kate being home for Christmas just flew out the window!! Let's start thinking Easter bunnies instead!!
July means spending the fourth on Ft. Myer's Beach lounging around, soaking up the sun, and doing just plain nothin' every year! Wow, what fun! After that, I am off to Toronto for two weeks to spend time with family. That is always fun! Then, it will be August, and another month closer to Kate! See how time just flies right on by?
WACAP's Second Fee-July 2001
Time to pay up again! My second payment to my agency is now due. Only one more to go! Price Tag: $800.00
August 2001
Well guys, the wait is beginning to get to me! I am already planning my baby shower which is consuming some free time, but that won't take place until January. So, I guess I'll continue collecting books for Kate and start my Christmas shopping!
September 2001
Well, I started my Christmas shopping list but no presents yet. This month for sure! I am also planning on getting more ideas about how I am going to miraculously pull off becoming a member of the COO List! For those of you who are not familiar with COO, it stands for Carry-On Only. I am definitely very wary about being able to actually do this when it comes time to leave for China!
September 11, 2001
The worst possible thing happened in the United States today. We were attacked by terrorists who hijacked four huge passenger jets and flew two of them into the Twin Towers in NYC, one into the ground in Pennsylvania, and the last one into the Pentagon. So many people lost their lives today and I am really, really sad. I just cannot believe this happened. From today on, we are no longer innocent. We have all experienced the horrors of hatred and war. We are in shock.
October 2001
Well, things are getting a little bit more back to normal each day in the United States. People are really strong and are looking forward to the holidays. I finished most of my Christmas shopping, thank God! I have decided that Carry-On Only is going to be how we travel. I think it will make everything a whole lot easier! I love this time of year, though it is still extremely hot in Miami!
November 2001
All of a sudden I am very worried about the delay in China. We are in the midst of a great big pile up of dossiers and our agencies are notifying us to be on alert for I-171 form expiring. That would be a disaster to say the least! It would take time and cost a LOT more money! Hopefully, things will get better in China!
December 2001
I have good news and bad news. Things are beginning to speed up in China, which is good! The bad news is that China has severely limited adoptions to single parents. They say that it might only be limited for this year so they have a chance to catch up on backlogged dossiers. I pray this is the case. Even though it will not effect this adoption, I plan on beginning another adoption for a second child as soon as I can. My agency coordinator says that I could still get a referral in January 2002! Yippee! I am going to spend Christmas with my family in Toronto which is always fun.
January 2002
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! This has been a weird month because I could be in this month's group of referrals or maybe next month's. Anyway, this is definitely the hardest part of the wait. We are so close it is scary!! I have been practicing packing for Carry-On Only. I am bound and determined to be a member of the "COO Club"!
Last week, I got a phone call from a girl who lives about 10 minutes from me and you will NEVER believe what happened! She knows 2 of my friends who told her that she had to call me, which is the first coincidence. Then, when I spoke to her, she said she was with the same agency as me and that her dossier went to China around the same time as mine. Well, we met for the first time on Friday, and we called our agency, and they told us that our dossier was hand-delivered to China on the same day!! That means that not only will we travel together, but our daughters will be from the SAME orphanage! What a coincidence!!

This past weekend, January 25, 2002, I went to Orlando, mainly for a luncheon with some of my fellow DTC'ers. I have become friends with many of them online, but we have never met face to face, so Carolyn organized a Dim Sum luncheon so we could meet. I took advantage and visited Disney for a couple of days and also had the wonderful opportunity to have dinner at Carolyn and Bob's home on Friday night. The weekend was great fun and I met some wonderful people at the luncheon. WE all had one thing in common and that was waiting for our referrals. We all wished each other good luck and speedy referrals and then it was back home to Miami.

Tonight, Monday, Jan. 28, 2002, I got THE CALL! I finally have a baby and I am thrilled to pieces!! After a long day at work, and much anticipation over the referral, Pat from Wacap called me around 7:35 pm and said that I had a beautiful little girl named Lin Xiao Qiao from Yulin in the Guangxi Province of China. She is 10 months old and very healthy. Her name means "Beautiful Dawn in the Forest". She is the most precious baby in the whole wide world!! Of course, I am her mommy and not biased at all! LOL

February 2002
On Saturday, Feb. 2, 2002, I received my Fed Ex package with my adoption acceptance papers inside. I found her entire medical report which has lots of details about her eating, sleeping, and potty habits. It was so cute to read. I also got the three photographs that the orphanage sent. I spent the whole day going back over her papers again and again!

On Monday, Feb. 4, 2002, I sent the paperwork back to WACAP with my acceptance letter and forms signed and notarized. I also sent my final payment to WACAP with the forms. Price Tag: $800.00

On Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002, I visited the pediatrician with all of the medical information and photos of Kate. He said she looked great and gave me the "thumbs up". He is very excited to meet her soon! He also gave me lots of sample meds for the trip and again, did not charge me a dime!

On Thursday, Feb. 7, all of our group's acceptance letters were sent back to China. Everyone is thrilled with their babies and cannot wait to travel. Now we must wait for permission to travel from China, and we will have to wait a little longer becasue the CCAA is closed for 10 days for the Chinese New Year.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002, we celebrated Kate's upcoming arrival with a beautiful baby shower at Sea Siam Restaurant. So many of my friends and family were there and it was quite overwhelming. We sat down to a delicious lunch and then I opened up all of the presents. I received SO many thoughtful and helpful gifts! What a great day! Thank you to all of my family and friends...you all made my day!

On Monday, Feb. 11, 2002, my friends and I went to a wonderful Chinese New Year party at Tropical China in Miami. It was so much fun and the food was very authentic and very delicious!! I met a lovely Chinese woman that night who's name is Wendy, too! What a coincidence! She gave me her phone number and said that next year when she was in Miami, she would love to come and do a little Chinese New Year celebration for the children at my preschool. God works in such wonderful ways!





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