Vanessa Kachadurian - Armenian Adoption Adventure STEP 3

If you have gotten this far you are either A) Ready to adopt B) Have chosen an alternative method of adding to your family C) Have given up on the idea and are discouraged by the red tape and lengthy process of uncertainity.
Regardless,if you choose adoption or surrogacy you will still need the paperwork.

Start gathering the documents needed for a Visa and Home Study:
1) Marriage licenses, birth certificates, divorced people the final decree is needed. (note: Armenia does frown on divorces- but not impossible)
2) Financial information: last 3 years of IRS filings, deed to home/property, bankruptcy filings.
3) Medical appointment for physicials
4) Background scan at a recommended location of your home study agency, if they are competent they will have all of this information. All adults in your household will have to have this done.
5) For Armenians it helps to have your baptismal papers and/or letter from your church with the Armenian Diocese seal.
6) Include all charities and other work you have done with children.
7) write a brief bio of your family to give to the home study person. Make sure you are confident of their abilities and ask "how long they have been doing this" and about their licensing. The majority of LCSW DO NOT work for the agency but free lance by the amount of home studies they complete.
8) Make sure your home study agency has spoked to the ASP (Adoption Service Provider) that you have chosen to have the correct wording in the home study.
9) Passport information, or file for a passport at your local post office if you do not have one.
10) Coordinate with your ASP when to file your application with the USCIS. They have increased their fees tremendously and you can be alerted to file before an increase.

A competent home study agency will have a check sheet but it is best you check with what Armenia requires. The agencies will have had you sign a contract by now, some have gag orders and do not want you talking or blogging about your adoption.
Follow their contract, you are the client.