Finally it's happening!

I am so happy for you. It is so wonderful to hear success stories from Panama. I am not real sure how long you have been on this journey but I do know it was long, way too long. We are in the beginning stages of the process and I know it is going to be forever before we can even consider travel. Could you please keep in touch and let us (people on this board) know how things are going? I know I would love to hear your story and process from here on out. Are you using an attorney or agency? Could you PM me? We are still in the process of figuring out which to use. :confused: Thank you, CCM

Could I ask when you sent in your dossier?We are almost ready to send in our dossier (waiting on INS to send us the I-171). Our adoption agency is telling us that we should be traveling around February or March.Does this sound about right?thanks,seania

Seania, I submitted my dossier to Panama in May 2004. So, I don't think you'll be traveling any time soon. I was supposed to be traveling this summer yet there's been a ton of problems in Panama and they still continue. I do not have a definite travel date even though I accepted the referral for my son in Dec. '04 and part of the process of abandonment has been signed. My documents still need to be forwarded and then returned for the judges final approval before I plan my travel. This all should've been accomplished by now but, this is the story of how Panama operates. Sorry I couldn't give you any positive information. Good luck in your adoption!!!

Did you go through an adoption agency?

Yes, I'm using Faith International.

Thank you so much for sharing this information. We completed the homestudy, and now we are finishing with the dossier. We were wondering, How long it takes from the time Panama receives the dossier to the time we receive a referral? And now I have an idea... Is it about 7 seven months, right? And then, about eight more months to travel?? Then, It seems like the entire process is about 2 years of waiting??!! Is that right?? Thank you again!!

Time lines are extremely unpredictable and it seems like everyone has had different experiences in Panama. I guess the best reply is for you not to get your hopes up on any time frame and then you'll be happy when things do come through. The judges in Panama seem to be very tempermental and some are very difficult(mine) to work worth. Why they don't want these children adopted into loving families/homes is something I'll never understand. Good luck and someday it will all work out. I hope to hear about my travel plans any day now, I'm just waiting for the judge to sign one more document and forward it for final approval. My attorney doesn't really know why it's been delayed other than that it's all up to the judge.