When was your dossier sent?

October 9, 2005

Just taking a roll call of sorts. For those that are actually adopting from Panama and have already submitted your dossier:

When was your dossier sent to Panama?

Have you gotten a referral?

If yes, how long since submission of dossier til you got your referral?

And to further clarify, if yes, what age and sex did you put down?

Thanks!

Robin (stillllll waiting for referral, dossier in Panama since May/June 04))

spntnglr

October 14, 2005

Hi Robin!

My dossier has been in Panama since May '04. I received my referral and accepted it for my son the first week of December '04. I requested a boy ages 2-4 and my son is actually 5 1/2, will be 6 years old in February. Termination of the parental rights have been signed but some other document needs to be signed in order for my son to be legally free to be adopted by me. A new director is taking over the DNA next week so, that's probably why nothings happening. Per my lawyer, the new DNA director wants families to travel twice to Panama to finalize the adoption giving you only temporary custody upon your first visit. Still waiting to hear more details about the new directors requirements. I was supposed to be traveling in September to get my boy but because of the problems with the judge in Chorerra - mistakes and things not being done correctly, I'm hoping before the end of the year. There have been a few families that have been successful with my attorney - their kids were born in or near Panama City. It seems that if kids are born in rural areas, those judges seem to be real difficult to work with and don't appear to be really interested in seeing these kids have a home. My son has been in the same orphanage since he was 9 mos. old and not one person from his biological family has visited him. Both birth parents have signed off on him so, we're awaiting for the biological grandmother to sign off as she was the one who brought him to the orphanage due to paternal neglect.

Hope this gives some insight. Who are you using to assist with your adoption, an agency or an individual? Perhaps that may be the problem with them not having any connections. There are tons of kids in Panama that need families & homes yet, it's so difficult to accomplish these adoptions. I just don't get it!!!

Good luck & don't give up hope!!! Someday soon I hope and anticipate having my little boy home.