FAQ's
What should I do first?
First, submit the application form to Small World Foundation of Missouri,Inc.
Then, after you receive the contracts, return them, along with the agency fee,
so that you may receive your instructions. It will save you time and money
if you do not listen to other people and do not begin your paperwork on your
own. The SWAF instructions are very tailored to the program and are very
specific! Additionally, it is very important to read everything
you receive! This will help you complete your tasks quickly and accurately.
It can be both costly and time consuming to correct paperwork errors.
When you have questions, always re-read your paperwork and or contact your case
manager.
Then what?
Obtain passports! If you already have a passport, check your passport to be
sure it is still valid. If you have married and use your spouse's last name,
you must have your passport amended. You can obtain the forms at the post office.
Please do not begin gathering documents for your foreign country dossier
until you receive the specific instructions from us.
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What is the difference between a passport and a visa?
An American passport is a document issued by the UnitedStates to American citizens
allowing them to travel outside of the U.S. and then re-enter at a later date.
Applications for passports can be obtained at specified postal offices.
A visa is a document issued by a foreign country allowing a
person to enter its country. An American traveling to the Eastern European
countries will apply to that country's consulate in the U.S., file the appropriate
forms, and request permission to enter the foreign country on a specific date.
A person may only get a visa for entry into the country by invitation.
Americans who are adopting internationally must obtain a visa for their adoptive
child at the American embassy in the birth country of the child. We assist
our parents in completing this task. It is not complicated.
Small World's first child home in 1993... 
What is the role of the United States Citizens and Immigration Service (USCIS)?
One of the first things SWAF will assist you in doing is submitting the proper
paperwork to the USCIS in your state. This is a very crucial step in your adoption.
You will be notified of an appointment time at USCIS when your fingerprints will
be taken. The prints are forwarded, by USCIS, to the FBI in Washington, D.C. Upon
approval of the fingerprints, you will receive an approval form. This approval
form will advise you that the United Sates USCIS gives you permission
to adopt a child from a foreign country and to bring that child to
the U.S., as long as the child you are adopting passes the foreign country requirements
for status as an orphan. SWAF will supply you with the proper USCIS paperwork. SWAF
will give you exact instructions for completion of your immigration paperwork. Your
immigration paperwork will be one of the first tasks you complete.
What is a home study?
A home study is the process by which a licensed social worker writes a report
assessing the suitability of a couple or individual to be adoptive parents.
This process differs in every state. However, the study will usually consist
of several visits by the social worker to interview the prospective couple or
individual in their home, background checks for criminal records and for any
type of child abuse, a brief report on the home environment, income level, personal
histories, medical reports, and a compatibility evaluation. A home study
is mandatory by both the foreign country and USCIS. If you are in the St.
Louis area, SWAF can provide you with a home study. If you are outside the St.
Louis area, SWAF will assist you with locating someone to do your home study.
What is the foreign country paperwork / dossier?
Frequently, your foreign country paperwork will be referred to as the "dossier"
(dos-e-a). This is the term used by most officials and SWAF has adopted it as
well. This is the paperwork you will collect, SWAF will have translated, and
then it will be submitted to the foreign country officials. This paperwork allows
the foreign officials to get to know you, and from this paperwork, they will
approve prospective parents to adopt. SWAF has never yet
had a dossier rejected. VERY specific information, directions, and
samples of the paperwork are provided.
Are there recommended books to read about adoption?
Yes! Contact Tapestry Books, P.O. Box 359, Ringoes, NJ 08551-0359 or visit their
web site at www.tapestrybooks.com. |
