Adoption Timeline

03/18/08  Switched to Ethiopia program

4/15/08  Mailed country change & updated home study to USCIS

4/15/08 Mailed birth certificates & marriage certificate to California Secretary of State for authentication

5/13/08 Received authenticated marriage certificate and Owen’s authenticated birth certificate from California Secretary of State (SOS did not certify the old copy of my birth certificate)

5/12/08 Mailed new copy of Tricia’s birth certificate to California Secretary of State for authentication – delivery confirmed 5/13/08

5/15/08 Received I-797 approval letter from USCIS – Woohoo!!

6/5/08 Received Tricia’s authenticated birth certificate from California Secretary of State (FINALLY!!!!!)

6/6/08 Georgia documents State authenticated

6/7/08 Completed dossier sent to CHI

6/13/08 Dossier to Washington, D.C.

6/27/08 Dossier to Ethiopia! Officially a waiting family!!

1/26/09  REFERRAL!!

2/6/09 Refingerprinted for USCIS fingerprint extension

2/28/09 Received updated I-797 with fingerprint extension

3/3/09 Received court date!! May 12 Visa appointment June 5

5/8/09 Informed that ALL proceedings for abandoned babies in Addis Ababa ON HOLD!!

7/9/09  Received word that ban is officially lifted and court date rescheduled for July 20 with tentative Visa appointment of August 20!! We’re coming to get you baby boy!!

7/13/09  Received word that our court date has been rescheduled for August 5 with a September 3 Visa appointment.

8/5/09 PASSED COURT!! Asher Martin Griffith is OURS!

8/19/09  Tricia leaves for Ethiopia!

8/24/09  Gotcha day!

8/29/09  Owen leaves for Ethiopia!

9/3/09 Visa appointment

9/5/09  Home with Asher!!!