DR Congo Adoption Timeline

(some unusually quick time frames – do not expect the same)

week 1     

• 07/19/2012  Decided to adopt                                                                         

week 2

• 07/23/2012  Submission of adoption agency application                                      

week 3

week 4

• 08/09/2012  Submission of home study provider application                                

week 5

• 08/12/2012  Received referral for child                                                         
• 08/15/2012  Officially accepted referral for child                                                         

week 6

week 7

week 8

• 09/04/2012  Completed step 1 DRC docs                                                              

week 9

week 10

• 09/18/2012  Started to submit grant applications                                       

week 11

week 12

week 13

• 10/11/2012  Home Study finalized and approved                                        

week 14

• 10/17/2012  Submitted I-600A form to USCIS                                               

week 15

week 16

week 17

week 18

• 11/12/2012  Proof of abandonment already completed
• 11/16/2012  Biometrics fingerprinting                     

week 19

• 11/20/2012  Notified of Child’s passport completed                           

week 20

• 11/27/2012  Notified by USCIS I-600A approved
• 12/01/2012  Received I-171-H/I-600A approval letter  

week 21
week 22

• 12/10/2012  Dossier complete

week 23

week 24

week 25

• 01/05/2013  Adoption Decree (12/28/2012) and Birth Certificate completed

week 26

• 01/11/2013  Act of Adoption (01/08/2013) completed

week 27

week 28

• 01/25/2013  Translations completed for legal documents
• 01/26/2013  Submitted I-600 form to USCIS

week 29

week 30

week 31

• 02/11/2013  Notified by USCIS I-600 completed
• 02/16/2013  Receipt of I-600 letter in mail

week 32  (delay in US Embassy investigation- increase time waiting additional 3-6 months)
week 33
week 34
week 35
week 36
week 37
week 38
week 39
week 40
week 41
week 42
week 43
week 44
week 45

• 05/23/2013  Notified by US Embassy in Kinshasa investigation complete!
• 05/29/2013  Visa interview appt at US Embassy 

week 46

• 06/06/2013  Visa issued by US Embassy

•  6/25/2013 Genre de Familia approval
•  7/4/2013 travel to Kinshasa (arrived 7/6) 
•  7/7/2013 met Della for the first time and forever!
•  7/8/2013 DGM appointment in person (both parents required)
•  7/18/2013 second meeting with DGM - Director
• 7/20/2013 received DGM exit letter, flew home to US!!!