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Philippines Adoption 2015

January 29, 2015 we stepped into Living Stones Orphanage of Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines and got to hold our son, Christopher, for the very first time. 

This has, and continues to be, quite the amazing journey! If you are thinking about adoption, especially from the Philippines, please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have! I love sharing and hearing about adoption stories!

Follow our adoption process here with timeline & links to different blog posts along the way.
Christopher's Adoption Timeline
2013:
Sept 24 – Waiting Children Bulletin we see his face and bio for the first time!
Oct 22 – Profile sent to ICAB for pre-approval to adopt
Nov 11 – Contact from ICAB saying to continue with process
Nov 14 – Acceptance of Referral paperwork sent to ICAB

2014:
Jan 20 – Homestudy sent to USCIS for approval
March 17 – Dossier sent to ICAB
April – Additional paperwork requested from ICAB
May 8 – Final paperwork sent to ICAB for review
Aug 4 – Final approval from ICAB! 
Aug 15 – I-800 immigration paperwork sent to USCIS. Acceptance letter signed and sent back to ICAB
Sept 22 – I-797 Notice of Action received in mail. We are cleared by U.S. immigration.
Oct 3 – Philippines U.S. Embassy contacted us via email saying Christopher’s passort was being processed
Dec 4 – ICAB contacted us to say when the VISA appointments would be held
Dec 15 – Christopher’s VISA medical exam
Dec 19 – Christopher’s VISA interview
2015:
Jan 15 - Notice to travel
Jan 29 - Gotcha day!
Feb 2 - First day home as a family of four!

Comments

  1. troyJanuary 7, 2016 at 8:48 PM

    Can any one explain why we need to have the ICAB and $29000 if we have a qualified attorney in the Philippines that is working for us to obtain all the needed information to adopt a 8 year old niece from the Philippines? The attorney is only charging $4000 for everything including the court costs in the PI. My wife's brother has signed over approval for the adoption so why is there extra cost to go to an agency and what is their purpose?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mara and JonJanuary 17, 2017 at 9:43 PM

      I just realized I had missed this comment, I apologize. All I know is that ICAB is very tight on their policies to help against child trafficking, which I applaud, but it can be very frustrating. Hope you were able to figure it out within this last year. God's blessings in your journey and plea to bring your niece home.

      Delete
  2. UnknownJanuary 15, 2017 at 12:32 PM

    Hi, I just wanna asked some few questions regarding your journey in adopting a baby in the Philippines. Can you please briefly explain whats the first step you did to start the adoption. I will greatly appreciate if you will share to me your experience in your adoption process.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mara and JonJanuary 17, 2017 at 9:38 PM

      Best thing to do is research international adoption agencies and find the one or two you'd feel most comfortable with. Look for red flags on-line and make sure they have a solid base. We went with All God's Children and adored them. Some agencies are not licensed for the Philippines, so if that is your intent, keep that in mind when looking. Then fill out a pre-application form for the agency you liked and they will give you all the info after that, including letting you know if you would qualify to adopt, as there are certain rules/guidelines that each country has set in place for adoption.
      God's blessings in your new journey! It is quite the roller coaster, but we have been so very blessed by it.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousApril 21, 2017 at 6:23 PM

    I would not recommend adopting a child from the Philippines. Right now, it takes three years to adopt a child. Adoption agencies in the states have no control over this time line. They send your dossier to the Philippines and wait. That's what your paying for. We live in the states but have had a home in the Philippines for 28 years. The U.S. should not agree to do adoptions with the Philippines until they get their act together. Maybe President Duerte will do to DSWD and ICAB what he did to the drug lords. Sorry but it is a mess over there.

    ReplyDelete

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