Why sooooo long??

Photo is of northern Haiti

I am already getting the question. "Why is the process so long?" Well I have listed the steps that the paperwork needs to go through while in Haiti. Plus the time line for each step can always vary depending on many factors. I have heard lately that I need to expect a wait of 18 months of 2 years and hope for shorter before he comes home.

So here it is, enjoy the reading.


1. Send dossier to Haiti with three copies.
2. I-600A Approval (Form I-171H or I-797C will eventually arrive in the mail)
3. Enter/Exit 1st Legal (4-8 weeks)
4. Enter/Exit IBESR (6-10 months)
5. Enter/Exit 2nd Legal (8-10 weeks)
6. Child receives passport.
7. Travel to Haiti to meet your child
a.After the US Consulate in Haiti gets notice of your I-600A approval,
they will automatically send you packet of information about 4 months later
with documents such as a visa application form (OF-230) and a list of
IBESR requirements. For an IR3 or IR4 immigrant visa the child will need:
i.A Haitian passport reflecting the child's legal/adoptive name as shown on
the Acte d'Adoption.
ii.Three "immigrant visa" photographs of child.
iii.Child’s medical report, including vaccinations (unless a vaccination
waiver is requested), from an Embassy approved panel physician.
1.Note: the physician can perform the required medical examination only if
the adopted child is in possession of a valid Haitian passport as indicated
in “11.a.i” above.
iv.Form OF-230, the biographical data sheet for the child, completed by an
adopting parent in the name of the adopted child. (Included in package
indicated in 11.a.)
v.The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), 1040s and W-2s for the past three
years, and evidence of current employment, such as a letter of employment
or check stubs. Part 864A of the Affidavit of Support, part I-864A, must
be signed by both parents as indicated. (Included in package indicated
in 11.a.)
vi.The child's Extrait de l'Acte de Naissance (birth certificate) from the
Archives Nationales.
vii.An Extrait des Minutes de Greffe of the Tribunal de Paix having
jurisdiction over the domicile of the child.
viii. An Autorisation d'Adoption from the Institut du Bien Etre Social et
de Recherches (IBESR), located at 18 Avenue des Marguerites in Port-au-
Prince, indicating that the adoption conforms with the laws of Haiti.
ix.The approved Report on Overseas Orphan Investigation (I-604).
1.Adopting parents should ensure that CIS-Port-au-Prince has
forwarded this document along with the approved I-600, if filed
locally, to the U.S. Embassy Consular Annex in advance of their
appointment with the consular officer.
x.If the adopting parents have an approved I-600A application only, they
will need to file Form I-600 with CIS Office in Port-au-Prince and
bring the approved form to the Consular Section at the time of the
interview.
xi.Sufficient funds to satisfy all applicable fees. The U.S. Embassy
Consular Section cashier is not authorized to accept checks
or credit cards. Sogebank and Unibank are among some of the banks
that have ATM machines in Port-au-Prince.
b.The visa interview should be requested only after the DNA results
have been received (if required) at the Consular section and the
I-600A has been approved (Form I-171H or I-797C).
8. Return to the United States to bring your child home!
9. Obtain U.S. Birth Certificate and Proof of Citizenship (N-600)

State re-adoption, post placement reports and supervision are completed as required.