The i800a is done through USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services). It is basically us asking permission to bring an immigrant orphan in to the United States.
The first step was us picking up our i800a paperwork from Children of the World. Mrs. Terri (who is amazing) had it all done for us. All we had to do was sign a few pages and stick it in the mail headed off to Texas. I, of course, wanted it done ASAP so it was overnighted and received the day after I got the paperwork.
This application included: a cover page, the "official" i800a application, copies of both mine and John's birth certificates, copy of our marriage license, a copy of our home study, our social worker's license, our agency's DHR certificate, our agency's Hauge Accreditation certificate, and our agency's Authorization Certificate from CARA. It all came out to be a total of 32 pages! We are definitely going through some trees with all this paperwork.
Here is our timeline so far with this process. From what I am hearing - this is going to be a lengthy one! Please pray that we don't have any hiccups and our paperwork moves smoothly and swiftly.
4/26/16 - application mailed to USCIS
4/27/16 - application received by USCIS in Texas
5/9/16 - letter telling us when to appear for our fingerprinting appointment!
5/19/16 - fingerprinting appointment with USCIS in New Orleans
5/23/16 - verbal approval of i800a!
6/6/16 - letter of approval arrives in the mail.
Thank you so much for all of the kind words of encouragement, well wishes, and prayers. We appreciate ALL of the love, support, and prayers.
