Making an Adoption Notebook or Storage System

One of the the first things I did when I started our first adoption was to write away and ask for information packets from every agency I could find. Before long I was drowning in paperwork, and then we needed to start collecting important documents and keeping them all in one place. For our daughter I purchased a 3 ring binder and tabs and made an adoption notebook. By the time we adopted our son there was even more paperwork to keep track of and it no longer fit into the largest 3 ring binder I could find, so I went to Walmart and bought a tall plastic container with a lid and handle made by Sterilite.



You can also find them online:

Sterilite Corp. 18964306 Large Show Offs Storage Container


I used the manilla file folders to keep everything organized. I eventually put all of the paperwork for my daughter in one of these boxes as well and have both of them in the closet, just in case I ever need anything from them or if the kids would like to look through them.

If you decide to create your own notebook or storage system, here are some possible labels to get you started:

International Adoption

Agency Contact Information
Information Packets (or label them by agency if you choose)
Budget
Pre-Application
Formal Application
Birth Certificates
Marriage License
Divorce Decrees
I600/I800
Dossier
Referral
Passports
Medical
Visa
Travel
Photos
Finalization
Lawyer
Citizenship

Domestic Adoption

Agency Contact Information
Information Packets (or label them by agency if you choose)
Budget
Pre-Application
Formal Application
Birth Certificates
Marriage License
Divorce Decrees
Birthmother Letters
Birthmother Contact
Passports
Medical
Travel
Photos
Finalization
Lawyer

Collecting Information for the Application

This form will help you get the information you need to fill out your applications all in one handy place. Not all applications will ask for all of this information, but all of them will ask for some and, most likely, most of this information. It's so much easier not to need to dig around and find addresses and phone numbers every time you fill out your forms.



Download Application Information Form

Medical Exams

At least the parent/s applying to adopt will need to have a medical exam and for many adoptions any children already at home will as well. These forms give you a place to record information about these exams, including the tests and procedures that will need to be done. For example, a country may require that household members have and pass a TB test. You will most likely find this information in the application packet given to you by your agency. If not, you'll need to ask them which specific exams are required.






Download Medical Exam

Choosing References

Just as you will want to check out the adoption agency you are considering by talking to the agency's references, so will the agency need to find out about you by talking to references you provide. The following form will help guide you through the process of choosing the references you will list on your adoption applications.



Download Choosing References

I've Decided on a Country...Which Agency Should I Use?

Congratulations, you know which country you want to adopt from! Now it's time to choose an agency. This form will allow you to compare agencies that have the country program you have chosen and decide which agency would work best for you.




Download Comparing Agencies for a Specific Country

I've Chosen an Agency...Which Country Should I Choose?

Congratulations, you've decided on an agency to use! This agency meets your needs for whatever reason and you're excited about it. Now it's time to choose the country program you will apply to. Use this worksheet to compare information on each of the country programs and decide which country works best for you.



Download Country Programs for One Agency

Comparing Country Laws

Use this form if you have not chosen an agency or a country. Working through it will give you an idea of which countries you are eligible to adopt from. After you know the country/countries you are interested in, you can then begin to research agencies with programs in that country/those countries.

A good place to find information on the various country laws is JCICS




Download Comparing Country Laws

Comparing Agencies by the Agency General Policies

Use this form to compare agencies based on the agency-only general qualifications. This will give you a snapshot of each agency so you can decide which ones will work for your own personal situation. You would use this form if you had not yet decided on which country to work with and wanted to simply look at agencies in general.



Download Comparing Agencies by Their General Policies

Finding an International Agency Checklist

There are many ways that people decide which agency to use to adopt. This form is intended to give you some ideas and steps to take to decide which agency best meets your needs.



Download Finding an International Agency Checklist

International Adoption Budget

This form is designed to help you budget for your adoption, or you could use it to record expenses as they are incurred.




Download International Adoption Budget Form

Send for More Information Form

Use this form as you search the internet to record those agencies that you want to call or email and receive an information packet. Keeping track of when you requested and when you received an information packet is a small window into how the agency may operate once you are officially working with them.







Download Send for More Information

Domestic Agency Contact Form

This form gives you a handy place for making those initial contacts with an agency. You can list their name, location, and phone number on the form. Then you can fill in the fees, wait time, and other notes as you call eac agency.





Download Domestic Agency Contact Form

Agency Further Contact Sheet

This form is intended for use in collecting those agencies that you have decided you want to call for further contact.







Download Agency Further Contact

Welcome!

Hello and welcome!

I have two wonderful children that were adopted from India through international adoptions. My husband and I are currently exploring options to add a third child to our family through domestic adoption. I find that when I am doing all of the calling, online searching, emailing, and researching that it gets confusing and overwhelming. Over the years I have developed a number of forms to use to help me when I am researching and I wanted to share them, so I started this blog.

I am intending to add more forms as I can, so I hope to see you here again soon.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find something you can use!

Stephenie