Today you are 4, well at least that's what they tell us,,,

Today for you, and tomorrow for me you are 4.  I send Ganesh, the Remover of Obstacles, a birthday wish for you.  Ganesh, please treat my girl to a special day.  Please remove these last few obstacles for us so we can all be together. Neha, Happy Birthday.  The next one will be different, I promise.

The courts are to reopen this next week and we desperatley hope of news of guardianship soon.  We have been waiting in that catagory alone for 4 months now.  The previous step 5 months, ah-ha, well that's where the time has gone.  Below is a copy of our future steps.

13) Court grants guardianship
This varies with each case.

14)  IFS receives a copy of the court documents
About 2-4 weeks after court, but this time frame can vary greatly.

15)  IFS files for ICPC approval on behalf of the family:  ICPC stands for Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and is necessary for all Indian adoptions due to the granting of "guardianship" instead of "adoption".  This approval gives the family permission to bring the child across state lines for the purpose of adopting.

IFS is required to file for ICPC approval for any family living outside of the state of Texas, even if a family's home state does not require ICPC approval (as has been the case in a few states).  IFS must still file the case with the Texas ICPC office and the Texas ICPC office must contact the ICPC office in the family's home state.
IFS usually files within a few days of receiving the court documents, depending on what/if any additional documents are needed.
During this time, the facility will also be applying for the child's passport.
16)  Texas ICPC office notifies IFS Texas office of family's ICPC approval:  Notification of ICPC approval must come directly from the Texas ICPC office to the IFS Texas office.  We cannot act on an approval notice from the family's home state, but only from the TX ICPC office.
ICPC approval takes approximately 2-3 weeks, but can vary depending on the state.

17) IFS will notify the family of ICPC approval
IFS notifies the family immediately after receiving the news.
18) IFS will contact our staff in India regarding possible travel dates for the family:   Travel dates must be confirmed with our India staff before the family makes any definite plans. 

We must confirm that the child's passport is done before we can arrange travel dates.

19) Family travels to India to bring their child home!








(Some day, we will be here)