Whoo-hoo! Progress! Now, let's get that registration process ironed out CA :)

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO is right.... this is a good thing... lets get all of babies home..
thank you guys for all you do

Thanks for posting this ray of hope! Hopefully more news to come.

I am new at this side; we are also early in the Guatemala adoption process, although we got a referral, POA and registration at PGN (what our agency call ‘aviso’) just shortly 2 months before the new law. But I ought to say that I got so much comfort on reading the news posted at Guatadopt. I learned so much from all the comments, some of them made me laugh and some made me cry. Our family is not alone Thank you

oh yeah - that's what I'm talk'in about.

We knew it would happen, and it did. Thanks sooooo much for the update, per usual.

Praise God for what appears to be progress on this issue!

Thanks Kelly and all at Guatadopt- now that we have the "where", I guess we can look forward to the "how" and "when". Who would think that getting an address would be a small relief?

Hang in there all!

Linda

back UP on the roller coaster!!

seriously I am amazed but grateful that they have gotten the Central Authority office set up by 1/9!!

Lisa

Does this mean anything? So they published an address. So what? Who is SOSEP?

I'm hopeful, don't get me wrong, but is there significance to publishing an address or was there other news that should cause us to believe this is more than that?

This is what I found for SOSEP...

The First Lady's Secretary for Community Services (Secretaría de Obras Sociales de la Esposa del Presidente - SOSEP

On the website: http://www.sosep.gob.gt/sosep.php it explains that: The Social Work Secretariat of the Wife of Presidente (SOSEP) was created in 1991 with the fundamental objective to impel and to implement programs of social character that benefit the children, the children, the families and the community in general. In attention to the high-priority necessities of the population, mainly of the most vulnerable groups as they are it the children and the smaller children of 5 years, the greater women of the rural area, adults and the discapacitados ones; Mrs. Wendy de Berger and her work party, designed new programs and reoriented the existing ones, to take solutions of long term, sustentables and autosostenibles for these sectors of the population, prioritizing and focusing the attention in the municipalities defined by the Secretariat of Planning and Programming of Presidencia (SEGEPLAN).
** The website is in Spanish, so I used a translator for this.

Ya-hooooooo!!!! PTL!!!!!!! Thanks for posting!

Allright Yall!!! I got the scoop, LOL :D I went to the address, which was located at the Beinstar Social Office and everyone there was so nice and loved seeing my little girl. You could really feel the love they had for children.

I talked to a lady there and she took me to the office where two of the men were. I think these were two that were selected because they told us that one more person needs to be appointed and that person is suppose to be appointed tomorrow.

They said that we cannot register with them yet, until that third person is appointed.

Also, they said that even though that will happen tomorrow, we need to wait till next week, possibly Wednesday, because they will be moving to a new office.

I asked if the Registration will be a difficult or easy process. He said that it will be an easy process.

The two men were very cordial, a bit formal, lol and good looking, lol, and GQ dressed.

I didn't feel the real affection towards children, BUT, I only met with them very quickly, it was more formal and business minded, I guess, which is a little concern because I would hope that at least one of the people had a real heart towards kids.

They probably do but just had a lot of business to take care of.

Now, I asked about adopting under the new law. He said I could not just go to their office. I would have to initiate the adoption process in the US at our office.

However!!! We don't have an office yet, not that I know of! I'm assuming we won't have one until we are Hague compliant, in April, or later if it takes longer to get compliant.

So, I'm assuming that means that regular adoption agencies will not be facilitating these adoptions.

Also, it will be at least April before U.S. families can look into adopting a child from Guatemala.

I don't know what will happen for those families who signed after Dec 31, especially if they paid money up front. I'm very worried for them.

Also, I spoke to someone else and when I told them my story and that I reported the corruption to the Embassy, they said shocked, "and they helped you????"

I said well they told me that I needed to fight for the baby in her own country. For us that was the public ministry.

Anyways, I just thought it was interesting that our own Embassy has a reputation for not helping it's citizens.

Kelly,
Thanks for the great news! I thought things would start happening....we just have to give them time..... I did read on a.com that someone went and visited there today. She saw REAL people working there!

once the Hague convention was announced i was totally confused. I dont know or understand who is grandfathered in or not? i have 2 girls in the process. one is in PGN with the 2nd reviewer, which i curious how long others have waited with 2nd reviewer and what is the average to wait for the final signature. my 2nd baby, which i have been pursuing for about 15months, since 3 days old, i am told is "filed", no court date. so will be grandfathered ?

So will the President Colom's wife, Sandra, be overseeing the SOSEP once her husband takes office?

Airstar98, just curious...how did you get someone to help you at the Embassy? I have a friend who is trying to get some help and was turned away. Any suggestions? They really need some help/guidance...

Great news. That neighborhood is a bit far from the embassy and there are not a lot of hotels and such. I hope they move the office to a more convenient location. I just to live around the corner when I lived in Guate.

Yes, Sandra Colom will oversee Sosep and many other humanitarian projects. Sosep has a very good reputation and has done alot of services to many needy women and children in Guatemala and is highly respected by many many Guatemalans.
You can use the search engine on the forum for stories posted on what they have done, as we post daily stories of current events there. Also to answer many of your questions regarding reviewers and timelines, log onto the forum.
Marie, Guatadopt.com

SO my husband and I just planned our first trip to visit our little girl. We have been in PGN for a little over 7 weeks now. Anyone have any advice on things we really need to do while we are there? Is there anyone who actually went to PGN while there to check on the status of things? Any advice on who to talk to, when to go, and what all we should be sure to cover WHILE we are THERE would be great!

This site has been incredible! You guys are great!

Reba, well, they helped me because when I first went to them was back in February of 2007. I even mentioned that to the lady, it was before all this started and she understood immediately.

Now, I've tried in the past to talk to someone and had to wait for a number, however, all the rules have changed now.

I haven't been back since, cause they emailed me with the time of day to come with my paperwork.

So, I have no clue how to get in now. Maybe they figure that they gave warnings and they don't plan on helping anyone in trouble now, because they gave warnings.

to Janine -- our case has been in PGN since early September. We were told we were with the 2nd reviewer back in November. We haven't had any kickouts or problems -- just alot of waiting.. I'd be curious to hear from others about how long they waited in PGN. Everyone else I know has been in and out in much less time.

Sue-we are in the 2nd reviewer stage as well, have been since mid december. We first went into PGN in november after a kick out already. Thanks as well to guatadopt, for all the work! Blessigns!

My time in PGN hasn't been quick. We went in on August 9 and had 3 kickouts, and have been back in since November 15. We were told at the end of December that we had been approved by all three reviewers and that we were just waiting on our final signature, which I have been told by Laura at PGN that it will happen either today or tomorrow at the latest. Today is exactly 8 weeks from last resubmittal. I think that in most cases it averages 8 weeks from resubmittal. I think that if I were someone that was told I was out of PGN in a very short period of time, I would double check with PGN that I was actually out. You don't always get accurate info from your attorney or agency, it is always best to get info directly from PGN, since Laura is so kind to give it. I quickly learned that I had to double check everything in my adoption process.

I first went into PGN on Sept 14, was kicked out one week later, re-entered into PGN on Oct 23 and received final signature on 12/20 (I was lucky enough to get in before year end). It was 8 1/2 weeks after I was re-entered. I heard today that my baby has her reissued birth certificate and passport (they e-mailed copies to me) and I have authorization for the 2nd DNA test.

I also know of another couple that was in PGN (they were re-entered around the same time as me), they just got final signature and are out of PGN as of Monday, 1/8. This is great news since it means PGN is still processing cases.

Jordan and others-
Information about fist time trips, multiple trips and pick up trips are posted on the Forum under many threads. Valuable information on where to stay, restaurants, what to do and what to bring, also posted.
Marie, Guatadopt.com

To Sue: 1st I'm sorry your case has stalled in PGN so long; but at least you weren't KO'ed. Actually there are a lot of people in your shoes OR worse off in PGN--you should check out the adoption.com guatemala forum. You can compare notes and timelines there. It might help a little.
-Melanie, mom to 1 Guat-principe at home, waiting on 2

Question: We entered PGN 12/13/07. We were KO on 1/8/08.

Are we still considered "In Process" to the Central Authority. I read the document and nowwhere does it give an exact definition..

Also based on these Discussion. I won't have my son home any time soon.... If all goes well... April?

We were filed with PGN Nov. 21 and just found out today that a previo was issued Dec. 17th. PGN did not release the file to my lawyer, though, until yesterday. So now we are in the boat with everyone else who is waiting to find out what has to be done to resubmit. The lawyer told us the mistake was minor and that he had already fixed it. He is just waiting to hear what the new procedures will be.

I am not glad that our wait time has been so long but it is encouraging to hear that it isn't just us. We all just need to hang in there.

My agency told me that everyone has high hopes for the new president who goes into office on Monday. Has anyone else heard anything about that?

Can someone please clarify for me ... is being KO'd from PGN the same thing as being issued a "Previo"?

The reason I ask is that I've just learned that our attorney submitted our case to PGN on 12/20/07 ... without the pre-approval. We then received the pre-approval on 12/22/07. Per my agency, even though we have the pre-approval now we cannot submit it to PGN until they actually issue a previo. They are saying they cannot tell us how long it will be until the previo is issued or how it will affect the length of time we are in PGN. I am a little confused as to what this all means and why the attorney decided to submit our case without the PA if it would only result in our case getting stalled. There does not seem to be much communication between our agency and the attorney and we have no direct contact with the attorney, so I feel like we might be missing some key pieces of information. If anyone who's been through this process before can shed some light on how it works, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Hi, I am a bit confused, I called my agency to find out if there was any word on our status with PGN, and was told that we would get an email to let us know we were out. It was my understanding that you only get an email for pink. When I asked about this, I was told that the process had changed and that you get an email from PGN for approval now. Has anyone had this happen?
Thanks!
Julia

Michelle,
The exact same thing happened to us last summer, where the PA arrived just a few days after submission to PGN without it. We too had to wait for the "previo" or KO. At that time, early last summer, it was 5 more weeks until the previo.

At that time, PA's were taking a very long time. Waiting for the PA was stalling the case from progressing. PGN was also issuing absurd KO's, over and over. I was told that sometimes (although sometimes the previos are issued separately, and families/lawyers will fix a previo and resubmit just to have a long wait and then be issued another previo, over and over)PGN will group the previos and then the lawyer can fix more than one of them at a time, then resubmit to pgn with several previos fixed, therfore reducing the number of times to be resubmitted back into PGN after a previo. My lawyer was hoping that if PGN had any other previos, besides the missing PA, that these would also be issued at the same time, so they could be fixed and resubmitted at the same time.

Hope I said this in a way that makes sense.

Previo does mean kick out. All three of my previos came within a few weeks of my case being submitted each time. In most cases you get out of PGN about 2 months after your last resubmit, but it seems to be that some have great luck in PGN and others have terrible luck. It doesn't make any sense that some cases go into PGN and come out finalized in three weeks, while other cases, mine being one of them, was approved by all reviewers 3 weeks ago and is still waiting on final signature and I've been in for 5 months, 2 months since last resubmit. Why do some cases fly while others just sit. That's what needs to be reformed, cases not being treated equally in PGN.

Michelle - We too have no contact with our lawyer and there seems to be a 2 week delay between him and the agency. I found out both my files were KOed of PGN2 weeks ago by calling myself. I informed my agency. Very very frustrating.

Dear Michelle,

KO'd is the same as a previo.

The lawyer I worked with who is now acting for a number of friends of mine has submitted their cases to PGN knowing she will get a previo. She would never normally have done this, but she and a number of other lawyers did this because of the uncertainty about what "in process" actually means(meant). Susana Luarca and the other lawyers will argue that having the Power of Attorney registered means "in process", but some lawyers are erring on the side of caution and getting people started at PGN in case it is decided that this is what "in process" means. I personally think they are right to have done this - I would have wanted my lawyer to have done the same for me if I had been adopting now.

Your timing is very unfortunate in that you got your pre-approval two days after your lawyer submitted your case to PGN but I really think that they thought time was running out.

At the moment cases cannot be re-submitted until the new Central Authority has been set up - but this could of course change as things in Guatemala do.

I am sure that all in-process cases will go through (unless there are genuine reasons why they shouldn't) because apart from anything else, where would they put all the children in process if they were to stop these adoptions.

Good luck.

Cheryl

Hey Michelle,

We're in almost an identical boat!

Yes KO and Previo is the same.

We went into PGN without the PA just like you! The reason we were given was that they were seeing just about everyone draw at least 1 previo as if it was almost a matter of form at this point, so if we were going to get a previo for the sake of getting a previo why delay a couple of weeks. Also while we would get previo’d for the lack of a PA it might also bring to light other problems that could be addressed at the same time and better our chances in the second run at PGN.

Also, from my viewpoint I sort of liked the idea of going in to PGN even if we were shy paper because there was no concrete definition in place of what “in process” would mean when it came to an in process case being grandfathered under the old law. Struck me as maybe a better idea to be in PGN when 12/31 came around in the unlikely event that that was where they drew the in process.

Email me if you want to compare notes at havingagrandtime@juno.com.

Michelle,
Our attorney did the same thing. We spoke with our agency and they assured us that the attorney put our file in PGN in case the PGN came back saying that all cases in PGN before 12/31/07 would be processed under the old system. They are waiting for my file to come out on a previo for lack of PA. Once we receive the previo, our file gets put back in line for PA.
I am not sure if this is the process your attorney is taking. This is what I was told by my agency. Hope this helps.

I would appreciate it if someone could help me to understand how much information an agency should be expected to provide once dossier is in Guatemala, and POA is signed and registered. Not ideally, but what is the minimum that one should expect to hear as their case is progressing? What types of physical documentation should I expect to receive? How does everyone track their progress? Thanks.

Michelle...I am basically in the same boat as you. You can email me at cherifortner@hotmail.com. My agency is overly infomative, so I can share with you the scenario that has been laid out for me! Stay POSITIVE!!!

Yahoo! Im out of PGN today. can someone share their timeline, and what to expect next? thanks
my 2nd baby still waitng for a family court date. does that mean that i am grandfathered in current process?

We had a KO in mid-Nov. and were resubmitted the Monday after Thanksgiving. We were expecting another KO any day. Today we got word that we made it out of PGN!!!!
This site is invaluable. Our hopes and prayers remain with all of you and the children of Guatemala.

Mil gracias por todo.

cheri can I ask what agency you use? i only want to know b/c you said that it's overly informative! jzairi@mac.com. thanks so much

Deborah,
Hello. My agency has a staff member in Gatemala who e-mails me each week to tell us the progress of our case, ie. dossiet recieved, in translation, in FC etc. Unfortunately, we have been in FC for three months now! Good Luck.

Nancy C.

for those of you who are just getting out of PGN, here's what we have experienced since we have exicted PGN on Dec 5th 2007. Our daughter was born in Mixco, and we have been waiting since Dec. 5th to get her birth certificate from Mixco C.R. I'm absolutely beside myself, as this is the last and final step that Guatemala has to do. Once we have that, we are ready for embassy and "PINK". Our agency told us that our attorney is to pick up her BC on Jan 21st but 2 or 3 times our attorney has been told to come back, and they give him more excuses. Be prepared for a roller coster ride yet again if your child was born in Mixco.

Janine

From what I understand, once you come out of PGN it takes 4-7 weeks until you can travel to pick up your child.
1) the attorney will get the birth certificate reissued and get a passport for your child (this took almost 3 weeks for my case, but it was also over the Xmas holidays - which I am sure slowed things down)
2) these two items are then submitted to the US Embassy to get authortization for the 2nd DNA test (they seem to turn this around in a day or two)
3) 2nd DNA test is processed and results sent back to US Embassy(estimated to take about 1 - 1/2 weeks. This is where I am in the process)
4) Once the Embassy has this, they review the case again and then issue the "pink slip" and travel date (I have been told this takes 1-4 days)
5) Travel to Guatemala (you typically get 3-10 days notice for travel/appt at the Embassy)

Hope this helps.

How many reviewers does your file have to go through? We were told the
other day that we were at the second
reviewer and to call back in two weeks.

Just thought I would post that those of you that are trying to learn more about the process really should go into the forums area of this website. You will be able to read lots of posts on the process and lots of people will be exactly where you are and will post questions. You will learn so much more there than you could ever hope to learn from your attornies. Honestly, you will be much more informed and better off for it!

Thanks so much to everyone who responded to my question about previos. I definitely feel that I have a better understanding of our situation, and it is comforting to know we're not the only ones in this boat.

To Deborah -- I am not sure what is typical in terms of communication from agencies, this being our first adoption. My experience has been that we get photos and a medical report approximately once per month. I've had to directly ask, and in some cases relentlessly badger, to get any other info. In terms of confirmations, we haven't seen anything. The only way we know, for example, that our dossier was submited is that we received the embassy pre-approval email. If the email had not come directly to us from the embassy, I'm not sure we would have found out about it until several weeks later.

I am sure our agency is overwhlemed right now and is also hesitant to give out any information to its PAP's for fear that things will change and their info will not be accurate. That being said, it is incredibly scary and frustrating to essentially have to have blind faith in the agency and in an attorney we've never met or even spoken to.

Like others have said, try to stay positive. And my personal advice is to stay in contact with your agency even if they are not contacting you. Ask specific, direct questions, and don't give up if you don't get stragihtforward answers. As much as one would hope that the agency you've placed all of your trust in is advocating for you and your child, the best and most reliable advocate is you.

Has anyone been issued a birth certificate from Mixco? Does anyone know how long it can take for this procedure? We have been waiting since December 18th for this.

Can someone answer my questions PLEASE? My agency does not seem to have the right answers. I was informed when I called PGN that my child's papers are in the Minor Section of PGN. However, my baby's birth mother is NOT/was NOT a minor when the child was conceived or born.
What is the Minor Section of PGN. What process is required to move it from the Minor Section back into PGN. Our papers were in PGN since December.

Please HELP me with information.
Francisca
Please help.