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Hi all!
I've been lurking for a while and feel now it's time to officially become part of the group.
My husband is from Panama, born in the former Canal Zone, so he has dual citizenship. Is there anyone else here in a similar boat?
We have just started the adoption process for two infant/toddlers from Panama through Commonwealth. When I first called CAI they weren't taking new applications for Panama because of Panama's reneging on referrals to give those children to locals instead, thus making the wait and process long and rocky. Because of my husband's citizenship, they contacted their director in Panama and made an acception for our case; my husband is supposed to get special privelege from Panama, whatever that means.
TanyaB, if you read this, my heart goes out to you for witnessing this governmental Indian-giving firsthand and to anyone else experiencing disruptions or longer delays than you were led to expect.
It's exciting to be part of helping Panama map out it's fairly new International adoption program, but my heart is a bit impatient!
I appreciate any and all feedback, tips, or suggestions about the Panamanian adoption process whether you're part of a Panamanian couple or not. I've read most of the threads here since the beginning but would like to help make this forum more active. :)
I look forward to making friends here,
Robin
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Welcome Robin!
We are also using Commonwealth and did not know that they stopped accepting applications for Panama. It also sounds like those with Panamanian ties will also get "special privelege", which is great for you but I wonder how long the rest of us will have to wait for a referral?
Julie
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Julie,
Nice to meet you! I got a bunch of questions for ya.
When was your dossier sent to Panama? How long have you been waiting for a referral? What preferences did you put down for children, if you don't mind me asking?
The timeline my caseworker guesstimated to me was 9 mos once the dossier hits Panama before bringing the children home. I don't know how much faith to put into that.
I am a little concerned about the upcoming presidential elections in May. I hope that doesn't slow things down or that the new administration starts toying with the adoption laws/procedures. Course I worry over every little thing anyway.
My in-laws are going to Panama at the end of April for vacation. Too bad it won't be us traveling instead!!!!!
At least my father-in-law will pick up another copy of my husband's birth certificate while he's down there. Wonder if Panama makes their own forms require apostillation?! haha
OH, another question re: Commonwealth. Did they tell you you had to take photos of the inside and outside of your house? And did you have a psych evaluation done? Did they tell you what the travel would be like (how many times and how long)?
Just wondering if we're all being told the same things regardless of which branch we're using.
Thanks!
Robin
Robin, I read in a post somewhere that the party that is expected to easily win the election is very supportive of international adoptions and promised to add more employees to the program. Wouldn't that be great? Of course by the time they have the elections, the new administration takes office, and any changes are implemented, all of us will probably already be most of the way through the process.
Joan
Hi Robin,
Our completed dossier just got to Commonwealth. I need to call them on Monday to find out when it will be sent to Panama and then it will be maybe a month for it to be translated and we get approval from Panama. I don't have any updates on the time line. I'm hoping to get that when I talk to them on Monday. I hope to bring our child home in less than 9 months, but with all the uncertainties I don't know what to think anymore!
We have requested (I need a better word, it sounds like we are ordering off a menu!) a boy or girl and we are flexible on the age...from infant to toddler. What are your preferences?
Yes we had to take all the pictures and have the psych evaluation. As far as travel, they were unsure if it would be one or two trips. They said (but this was a couple of months ago) to plan on 2 trips. It looks like Lauri who is traveling soon is only having to make one long trip.
I'll keep you posted on our progress.
Julie
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Janemarie, did they tell you how to go about getting stuff apostilled from Panama? Who/where to contact? CAI told me somethign different, but they seem to playing a lot of this by ear and are always having to contact Jim in Panama (not Genevieve).
My FIL is going to Panama in April and was going to pick up more copies of my husband's birth certificate. But I plan on having our dossier completed by then.
Robin