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Approval Process Begins

As far as progress on getting the girls home it is unknown. It took us 3 weeks and 4 tries to get the acceptance papers signed. Now that that is done the DIA (Department of International Adoptions) sends a request to the DMOJ (Department of Justice) in the Province. This is called the 1st DIA Notification and box 10 on the agency flow chart. Then the DMOJ will have the orphanage director prepare the girl’s dossier. This could take up to 37 days. We have had no word from the agency that we have entered into this next step.

Flow chart
Boxes 1 thru 9
These are the steps taken to get to the day of referral. It took us 436 days

Box 10
1st DIA Notification
Approval process begins once the DIA has received notification about the referral from the orphanage director, they send on official request for the child’s dossier from the DMOJ. This should take 7 days. We entered box 10 on June 19th.

Box 11
DMOJ Requests Child Dossier
Within 7 days of receiving notification the DMOJ notifies the orphanage to prepare child dossier

Box 12
Preparation of child’s dossier
The orphanage must prepare and submit 4 authenticated copies of the child dossier to the DMOJ with in 30 days

Box 13
DMOJ Response to 1st DIA notification
(1) Upon receiving the child dossier from the orphanage, the DMOJ works with the PMU, police, immigration department, hospital, birth family, etc. to investigate the documents & statements in the child dossier.
(2) Upon completion of the investigations, the DMOJ notifies the DIA that the investigation has found the that the child:
a. Is not legally free for adoption
b. Is legally free for adoption and sends the child dossier to the DIA

At least 30 days, but no more than 60 days

Box 14
DIA Review & Approval of child Dossier
The DIA received the response from the DMOJ and reviews the child dossier and either:
1) The DIA approves the child dossier and issues the 2nd notification to the DMOJ along with the parent dossier and request the DMOJ to prepare for the G&R (Giving and Receiving) 7 days
2) The DIA determines that further investigation and information about the child’s dossier; the DIA will instruct the responsible parties (DMOJ will coordinate with police, orphanage as needed).
The DOMJ has 30 days to provide the DIA with the requested information.

Box 15
2nd DIA Notification

DIA sends official letter to DMOJ stating their approval of the application along with the complete application fro the DMOJ to review. They have 7 days

**Agency-VN staff follows up with the DIA to learn the date of the approval
**Agency-VN follows up with the DMOJ to confirm that they have received the DIA Notification and prepare for the G&R.

Box 16
Travel Approval

(1) DMOJ receives 2nd notification with the complete application; DMOJ sends a letter to the family via agency informing them of the adoption approval and requests that the family pay the adoption fee. (7 days upon receipt of 2nd DIA notification)
(2) Agency-Vietnam arranges with the DMOJ to pay the adoption fee on family’s behalf.
(3) Agency-VN, working with the DMOJ, PMU and the family to determine appropriate flight arrangements to complete the adoption in Vietnam (within 30 days or 60 days if family requests an extension).
(4) Agency-VN sends the family’s letter of acceptance and requests the G&R date
(5) Agency works with family to arrange and prepare for travel.

Box 17
Approval from People Committee
1) DOMJ sends official letter a complete application to the People Committee to receive approval of the adoption
2) PC issues a legal decision order for the adoption and sends it to the DMOJ. 7 days

Box 18
G&R Date
Within 7 days of receiving the PC’s legal decision order, the DMOJ informs the PMU of G&R date
** The G&R will be arranged to occur within 15 business days (usually within the first 5 business days) the family is in Vietnam