The Process (as we understand it)

Eric and I have had some great questions from friends and family inquiring about the process of Colin Nhan's adoption, particularly as to why we have a 5-7 month wait before we can travel. I thought I'd try to provide a better understanding (as we best understand from the adoption agency).

The areas in black are steps we've already accomplished. The areas in red are those we are waiting to achieve. The "flow chart" is based on information provided by our agency and their understanding of the process. Time intervals are subject to change:

1. Application, Review, and Approval by CHSFS.
2. Preparation of Dossier (all the forms Oneida notarized, we sent to the state for certification, and to the consulate for authentication).
3. Dossier process by the CHSFS-VN staff in Vietnam (received, processed, translated, and authenticated).
4. Staff preparation of dossier (4 copies arranged in a bound book), presented to the DIA in Hanoi.
5. Presentation of the dossier to the DIA.
6. DIA review of our dossier (when the dossier was "logged in" or more info had to be changed, updated, or resent).
7. Wait for Referral
8. RECEIVING A REFERRAL (for most PAP's - prospective adoptive parents - this may take 9-12 months, ours took 3 before we found out that we were going to be parents to this wonderful little boy).
9. Family Referral Decision (you know how this turned out...We are going to be the lucky parents of Colin Nhan Heberlig).
10. 1st DIA Notification (once the DIA received notification about the referral from the care center director, they sent an official request for Colin's dossier from the DMOJ - Department Ministry of Justice).
11. DMOJ Requests Child's Dossier (Within 7 days of receiving notification, the DMOJ notified the orphanage to prepare Colin's dossier).
12. Preparation of Child's Dossier (The care center prepared and submitted 4 authenticated copies of Colin's dossier to the DMOJ).
13. DMOJ Response to the 1st Notification (Upon receiving Colin's dossier from the orphanage, the DMOJ works with the PMU - project management unit - police, immigration dept., hospital, birth family, etc. to investigate the documents & statements in Colin's dossier. Upon completing the investigation, the DMOJ notifies the DIA that the investigation has found that he a) is not legally free for adoption; b) is legally free for adoption and sends the dossier to the DIA. This step is approximated to take between 30-60 days to complete).
14. DIA Review & Approval of Colin's Dossier (The DIA receives the response from the DMOJ and reviews his dossier and either a) approves the dossier and issues the 2nd notification to the DMOJ along w/ our dossier and requests the DMOJ to prepare for the G&R - Giving & Receiving ceremony (7 days) or b) determines that further investigation and information is needed; DIA instructs the responsible parties. The DMOJ will then have 30 days to provide the DIA w/ requested information). Keep your fingers crossed for step a)!
15. 2nd DIA Notification (DIA sends official letter to DMOJ stating their approval of the application along w/ the complete application for the DMOJ to review (7 days). CHSFS-VN staff follow up w/ the DIA to learn the date of the approval and follow up w/ the DMOJ to confirm that they have received the DIA notification and prepare for G&R). We won't hear any additional updates from our agency until we've received our 2nd DIA notification.
16. Travel Approval (the one we are really waiting for!!!) DMOJ receives the 2nd notification w/ the complete application. DMOJ will send us a letter via CHSFS informing us of the adoption approval, our last payment will be made; CHSFS-VN will make the payment on our behalf and will work w/ the DMOJ, PMU, and us to make our flight arrangements; we'll sign our letter of acceptance and CHSFS-MN will work w/ us for travel preparations...more paperwork).
17. Approval from People Committee (DMOJ will send an official letter and complete application to the People Committee to receive approval for the adoption; PC then will issue a legal order for the adoption and will send it to the DMOJ -7 days-)
18. G&R Date (Within 7 days of receiving the PC's legal decision, the DMOJ informs the PMU of the G&R date...ususally occuring within the 1st five days that we will be in VN).

So, as you can see, it's quite a process. We've come so far and have but a few additional milestones to achieve before we can finally meet our little boy. Considering that we weren't expecting a referral until early next year, I'm very happy where we are in the process...yet, cautiously optimistic that we may be able to travel around Christmas (**fingers crossed**).

Thanks for your continued support and prayers!