DNA on its way!

When you have been involved in a process as long at this (16 months so far!) policies and procedures are bound to change to improve the overall system. For example one thing that changed is the requirement of a 2nd DNA test on children relinquished for adoption.

"Effective August 6, 2007, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala will require a second DNA test, to verify that the adopted child for whom an immigrant visa is being requested is the same child matched at the beginning of the adoption process with the birth parent. The Embassy is taking this step in response to concerns about the unregulated adoption process in that country."

Unlike the first DNA test which verified that the mother giving Grace up for adoption was actually her birth mother, this one verifies that Grace is the same baby that was relinquished by the birth mother in the first DNA test.

My agency has notified me that my lawyer has presented the finalized paper work to the US Embassy in Guatemala, and they have given their authorization for the DNA test to be performed. In Guatemalan adoption circles this step is known as ORANGE because the authorization is supposedly written on an orange piece of paper.

I have received pictures all along and there is no question that there was no "baby switching" in our case. Take a look....what do you think?

3 days old

4 1/2 months old

6 months old