*Pause* This page contains checklists and documents for Non-Alabama Residents Only. If you are an Alabama resident, please click HERE to be redirected to the correct document page.
To get you started
Welcome to the first stage of your adoption process! During the course of the next several months you will complete your home study, registration dossier, and 1st immigration filing. There is a lot to do - so, please follow these tips and instructions to get you started.
Download and Read the Following Guides and Checklist - We STRONGLY recommend you print them and store them in your adoption paperwork binder for easy reference later.
India Program Overview
Document Preparation Guide
The Purpose of a Home Study
your home study agency will provide additional information regarding their specific procedures / requirements.
Registration Document Checklist
Other Helpful Links
Family Portal Login
Email Your Coordinator
US State Department (Int’l Adoption Page)
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Submit Tracking Info
Like before, any documents you will need to send to your case coordinator for this phase must be complied and mailed in one envelope, with a mailing checklist coversheet. You will use a copy of your document checklist as a coversheet and a link to submit your tracking information is above.
Documents & Forms
The sections below have been arranged according to priority - based on items you may need to plan ahead for, order, or make appointments for. Be sure to notice tips and advice included in section descriptions and refer back to your document preparation guide often.
Clearances for Household Individuals
Your home study agency will conduct additional background clearances required for your report. The registration dossier requires a state and FBI criminal background history clearance be conducted for every household member, age 18 and up.
State & Federal (FBI) - Clearance (Everyone age 18 or older)
References
Reference Instructions - Read First!
After selecting your references:
Enter Reference Contact Information
Track the Progress of Returned References - coming soon!
Certified Vital Documents
Ordering and receiving these documents can take days, weeks, even months! Read the instructions carefully and order these early!
Both your home study and registration dossier require documentation of medical and psychological evaluations.
Below you will find the forms necessary for your registration dossier. We MUST receive originals of these forms.
Medical Reports / Information
Adult Medical Reports - Instructions & Form
Child Medical Reports - Instructions & Form
Physician Letter - Instructions
Psychological Evaluation
Psychological Evaluation - Instructions & Psychologist Letter
Let’s move on to completing the important narrative portions of your paperwork. The majority of these are electronic forms that you will log in to SAM to complete.
This portion should not be overlooked in its importance and given an adequate amount of time, attention, and priority.
Personal Assessment & Narrative Documentation
Readiness Assessment Worksheet - complete 1st
Statement of Motivation - electronic form
Child Incorporation & Planning
Attestation from Child(ren) of Applicant(s) - instructions & form
Child Details with Care & Guardianship Plan - electronic form
Special Needs Chart - instructions & form
Both your home study and registration dossier require the documentation of an applicant’s financial profile. This includes a financial worksheet that you will complete and supporting documents to verify the information you provide.
*We recommend obtaining the supporting documentation before you complete your financial worksheet, as the figures MUST match.
Financial & Asset Documentation
Instruction Sheets
Throughout the adoption process, and continuing into parenting , we encourage our clients to proactively educate themselves and seek resources available. Though no parent is ever 100% prepared for the role; preparing, educating, and building resources helps to gain realistic expectations & confidence to face circumstances that fall outside of expectations.
Adoption Education Certification
Please read the Adoption Education Information Sheet BEFORE you explore the links below.
Adoption Learning Partners - online Hauge Certified Adoption Education
Empowered to Connect - website developed to offer resources and training based on the model developed by “The Connected Child” authors, Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross
Dossier Photos
A requirement of the registration dossier is to submit a family photo portfolio. The photos submitted must follow VERY specific guidelines, otherwise they will not be accepted.
Dossier Photo Guidelines and Examples - read thoroughly before you select your photos.
Once you have selected your photos, email these to your case coordinator for approval. Do not skip this step!
After your case coordinator has approved your selection, order 6 sets of your approved photos from an online service and have them mailed / sent to Children of the World directly (attn of your coordinator).
Suggestions for online photo ordering: Shutterfly, Wal-Mart Photo, Walgreens, Amazon Photo, Snapfish, CVS Photo
CARA Registration Form
The electronic form in the link below will allow you to double check / correct the information we use to submit your CARA Registration. Please access the link, make corrections and add information where needed.
CARA Registration Form - electronic form
