Why 4 weeks in Colombia??

I know several people have been asking why we have to be in Colombia for 4 weeks...here is what all happens there:

Encuentro/meeting with Kayella (this happens the next business day after we arrive)
          

Notarization of legal documents (Power of Attorney, permission for Kayella to leave the country, etc)

Petition is submitted to the Court

Interview with the ICBF Defender of Minors

The Court accepts the petition

The Defender of Minors accepts the petition

Case goes before the Judge for Sentencia

Judge will issue final adoption decree or sentencia (has a maximum of 10 business days)

Case is transferred to the Defender of Minors who will approve the adoption decree or sentencia

Lawyer will be notified of the sentencia

The Attorney General in some Courts may give an approval

Adoptive parents sign the adoption decree or sentencia

The Judge in the adoption decree requests the change of the birth certificate

A birth certificate with the child’s new name is issued (where the original birth certificate was filed)
          

Adoptive parents will apply for the child’s passport 

Physical exam for the child to obtain the visa

Conformity Certification according to the Hague is issued by ICBF

Appointment at the US Embassy/Consulate to apply for the child’s visa, the visa will be ready the following day in the afternoon.

Family can return home

<> Hopefully this helps. We will be updating this blog while we are in Colombia so that you can keep up with what is happening. There are so many steps that do have to happen there!<>