USCIS

The purpose of filing the I800A with USCIS is to basically get approval from immigration stating that the child that I adopt will become an immediate relative of mine.  I had to fill out an application that was 9 pages long, send in my birth certificate, Power of Attorney paperwork for adoption agency, home study, and check for $805.  The application covered very basic information about me, my lack of criminal history, country I am adopting from, and adoption agency that I am using.  The home study was also sent and the home study is a very detailed report about my life.  Once immigration reviews my file they will set up a biometric appointment for me.  This appointment is at a government building downtown St. Louis were I will go and get fingerprinted.  Shorty after this I should get the I-797 form. When my application to USICS is approved I will receive a I-797 form.  This form states that I have been approved by immigration to proceed with the adoption.   The current process for this is taking 40 days. 

I have to get the immigration form before I can sent in the rest of my paperwork in my dossier.  My adoption seems to be right on track.  It is my goal to have my paperwork sent in, approved, and on it's way to Bulgaria by the end of the year.  The adoption agency website states that after Dossier is logged in with Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in Bulgaria then it is taking 12-18 months to get a referral. 

more later
jessica