Here are more tips on getting your dossier done as quickly as possibly.

- Don't be overwhelmed. It may seem like a lot of paperwork to get your dossier done, but many adoptive parents complete their dossiers quickly and fairly easily.

- When you drop off a request for a document for your dossier, such as a medical letter or police clearance letter, have a cover letter with your pertinent information and stating that the letter is needed for an adoption. Include a sample or letter ready to go onto letterhead and be signed if possible. Ask if you can wait while it is prepared. If that is not possible, ask when it will be done.

- If you have documents that need to be authenticated at the state level, send those documents off as soon as possible (if the entire dossier does not need to be authenticated). Go to your state's Secretary Of State webpage and follow directions for requesting authentications for documents. Include a cover letter and make sure you state what country you are adopting from, as that determines how the documents will be authenticated.

- Make sure that your real, full names are used on all documents. For example, my husband's legal name is "Joshua", but he is usually called "Josh". For dossier documents, the name "Joshua" must be used, and not the nickname "Josh". (This is also true for the homestudy).

- Make sure that the notary you use has a commission that is not expiring within the next six months, preferably even the next year (and some countries have strict requirements on this one). Ask before they start notarizing for you.

- Check out the details carefully. Check dates, numbers, names, notary statements and any other areas that could easily have mistakes. If you catch mistakes and get them corrected, it will save a lot of time compared to if you send the dossier to your agency, and they have to send it back to have you get errors fixed.

- Send your dossier to your agency by Fedex or some other certified, trackable shipping method. That way you can track it and know when it arrives. With all of the time, money and effort you put into your dossier, you want to make sure it is not lost in the mail and is sent by priority service.

It is a great feeling to send that dossier off and to have the paperwork out of your hands. It is a big step closer to your child. Good luck! (And if you have a tip on preparing your dossier, please leave a comment).





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