IA Dossier 101 . . .

I've had several questions asked lately about the "Dossier". So, I thought I would dedicate a post to this all important "THING"!

Due to the extreme wait times these days (infant girls), the dossier is split into 2 parts. Part 1 is called the Department of Education (DOE) Dossier (required to receive a referral & 1st trip). Part 2 is the Court Dossier (required for Court Hearing & Trips 2/3). I have recently completed DOE Dossiers to be registered in the regions of Kemerovo (completed in 2/2008) & Vladivostok (completed in 5/2008).

They say a picture is worth a thousand words & this picture definitely is such a picture. Now for those who have never completed an IA adoption dossier before, this may not seem like much of a big deal . . . "just a bunch of papers". Well, just let me tell you, it is a very "BIG DEAL"! To complete a dossier requires hours & hours of investment in time, $$$ & effort! Each document has its own requirements & includes several pre-document steps to get to just the 1 final document!

Add all that up for ALL of them . . . Ahhh, you're finally getting the picture . . .

The blue-n-white sheet is the state of Oklahoma's apostille. It is a very beautiful, embossed document. It is attached to the final document in the upper left-hand corner with a beautiful gold grommet. The apostille cannot be removed (hence the purpose of the grommet). The shorter document in between the 2 OK apostilled docs, is my birth certificate. Since I was born in Colorado, it is an apostilled document from that state. Notice the difference in apostilles? The state of OK definitely outshines CO!

Nicholas helping mama put it all together to FedEx.

He is such a good helper.

With a Kiss & Prayer, READY to GO to RUSSIA!