Reece's Rainbow is a non-profit, completely volunteer ministry.  Families who choose to adopt children from our site are invited to make a donation to the Raising Awareness Fund.  Contributions to this particular fund make it possible for us to remain operational, and cover such things as postage, web hosting, advertising, printer ink, and things of that nature.   Boring stuff, but critical to the success of this ministry.  This fund also helps to pay for special advocacy opportunities, such as foreign family support groups, new special needs schools, and ministry events.

This is not a fee.  It is a love offering to help grow the ministry and ensure these orphans with Down syndrome will always have a voice through us.   This donation is tax deductible and can be made as you are able.  It is not a requirement, but is greatly appreciated if you are able to help.

This is a wonderful way to invite your friends, family, colleagues, and church members to help you financially in your adoption journey.   All of their donations are tax deductible.  And even if you don't feel comfortable asking your friends and family to donate, this still makes it possible for complete strangers to share in your adoption journey. 

Your FSP profile is your "account" with Reece's Rainbow, and this is what enables us to legally disburse any grant money to you.

Click here for more information.

8) PASSPORTS:  If you do not already have passports, the easiest place to get them is at your post office.  They will cost approx. $113 each.  (If you do not have to travel, you can skip to #9)  As of March 2007, they are taking as long as 10 weeks to be processed, so please take care of applying for these very early in the process.

• You will need a certified copy of the birth certificate for each person traveling/applying for a passport. 
• If you have children you intend to bring with you, they must have one too.  (I highly recommend NOT bringing your children abroad, just for the ease of traveling, but if you prefer to do so, be sure they have a passport.) I can walk you through filling out the form when you're ready. 
• You can pick up 2 forms from your post office, complete them, and then go back for your picture.  
• You do not have to specify which country you intend to travel to, even though there is a place on the form asking for that info. 
• A notarized photo copy of each of your passports is required as part of most dossiers, so please get these ordered quickly. 

• If you are hoping to adopt from Ukraine or Serbia, please complete the INS form I-600A and sign.  Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition  ( I can walk you through this).   Print a few copies just to have them in your file.  You can not submit this application via the internet, but you can fill it out online.
• If you are hoping to adopt from any of our other countries, please complete the I-800A form.  Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Hague Convention Country.
• Include the required copy of your birth certificates, marriage certificate, and legible copies of your driver's licenses.
• Purchase a money order or cashier's check for $670, plus $80 for each adult member in the household over the age of 18.  This will be made out to the Dept of Homeland Security.  Do not send cash or a personal check.  They do not accept credit cards. 
• The $70 fee is for Federal Digital fingerprints.  Once you send your application, you will receive a notification with a fingerprinting appointment date and time.  You must appear or risk a delay in the processing of your application. 
• You do not have to complete the section regarding the country where you hope to adopt, unless you already know for sure.  I can tell you which city in which country you would need to fill in. 
• In the section asking how many children you plan to adopt, ALWAYS ENTER 2-3.  Even if you don't anticipate adopting more than one, you just NEVER KNOW.  By being approved for more than one, you will not have to go through the whole INS process again if you adopt again within 18 months.
• Although not necessary, it doesn't hurt to send a short letter telling the officials that you are adopting a WAITING CHILD WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.   Click here for a template.
• Locate the USCIS office which services your state/area.    Choose your state and find the field office closest to you.  This is where you will mail your application.  If you live in a rural area, your wait time with the INS office tends to be much shorter than in major cities. 
• Your home study social worker/agency will send your completed home study to INS as the final piece of your application.  Your request will not be approved without all 3 pieces.  The clock starts ticking after all 3 pieces of the puzzle are received.

• Full medical physical for both parents
• LOCAL police fingerprints (the black ink kind)
• Criminal background check/police record clearance
• Child abuse clearance
• Financial records
• Self evaluation

Click here for tips on what to expect from your home study process!

Once you "sign on" with a social worker or home study agency, make appointments for your medical physicals.  Sometimes those appointments are booked weeks in advance, so book it early.  Don't expect to get an appointment right away.  Women will require PAP smears.  (It is best to set the mother's appointment at a time well after or well before your menstrual period, otherwise, you may get a false test.  (from personal experience, trust me!))

From the financial aspect of the home study, prices range from $800-$2000.  Normally, your social worker/agency will require 1/3 at the initial visit, 1/3 after they meet with both of you individually, and the final 1/3 upon completion of the social worker's report which he/she submits to INS.  Be sure to choose a SW/agency who will allow you to review their report prior to submitting...this is important!

11) FEDERAL FINGERPRINTS:  after you send your initial I-600A application and fees in to DHS, you will receive a notification of appointment for fingerprinting at your local DHS/Immigrations office.    This is usually NOT the same address you mailed your I600A application to.

Follow the instructions on the form you receive, and be sure to bring your driver's license with you at the appointed date and time.  DO NOT BE LATE.  The earlier you get there, the faster you'll get out.  It shouldn't take more than 30-45 minutes.

13)  APOSTILLES:  This is applicable to your dossier documents.  It is not a part of the home study process.  This is a fancy term for your state government to certify everything which has already been certified.  It's really quite ridiculous, but because of Hague Convention agreements, foreign countries require these apostilles.  For example...you have your certified birth certificate.  You have to have that notarized, even though it already has a seal on it.  And THEN you have to send it off to your State government for them to apply an official APOSTILLE.  If you are working with an agency, this task is covered in your agency fees. 

PLEASE NOTE!   When you receive your I171H, please DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL IN YOUR DOSSIER.  You should make a photo copy of it, front and back, have that notarized and apostilled. 

ALSO, if your marriage certificate was issued in a different state than you are living in now, that must be apostilled in the state of issuance.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF ALL OF THE STATE ADDRESSES FOR APOSTILLES

15)  WAIT:  for notification back from the government that you have an appointment to travel, or that your child has been cleared and will be escorted to you on such and such a date.  This could be (1) month, it could be (8) months....every country is different, but the hope is that with children who are deemed "waiting with special needs", your wait will not be endless.  This is THE hardest part about the entire process...you've been approved!  Your child is waiting!  YOU are waiting!  Why can't they hurry up?  Don't they understand?  Believe me, we have all been through this.  It is a rite of passage :)

WHILE YOU ARE WAITING:  Contact your local bank and have them order you NEW BILLS to take with you, especially if you are adopting from Ukraine.  This process can take several weeks, so it is a good idea to do this ahead of time.