Are you excited? You are about to start your adoption journey! There are many things to do to get you started, and it all comes down to one word: PAPERWORK! There will be a lot of paperwork involved and IFI recommends getting organized with your paperwork from day one so it will be easy to refer back to along the process. The first step is getting your homestudy together. Even if you’re uncertain about which country you want to adopt from, or even the adoption agency you wish to work with, you should meet with a licensed social worker to start working on your homestudy. Once IFI reviews your application, we will send you a dossier set, which will tell you in detail the documents needed to send abroad. As you prepare the documents for the dossier you will simultaneously have to fill out and send the “Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition” (I-600 A) form, and all other required documents, to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. All forms and fee information can be downloaded directly from their website: http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/index.htm. After CIS receives your documents, it usually takes 1-2 months for them to process your application and mail you back their approval “Notice of Favorable Determination Concerning Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition” (I-171 H), and the “Petition to Classify and Orphan as an Immediate Relative” (I-600) forms. Hold on to these forms, you will need them later in the process. During the months you are waiting for these two documents, you can complete your dossier and send it to our office. All this paperwork can be overwhelming, but don’t worry! Remember IFI will be there to help you with any questions or concerns you may have along the way.