We Are in First Legalization!

We found out last night that our documents are in 1st legalization in Haiti ... I don't know exactly what that means, but I know it is the first step in our process actually moving forward and so I am excited!! Here is the explanation I found on Jamie's blog:

First Legal: Any document that had to be authenticated by the Haitian Consulate has to be taken to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for further legalization. They legalize the signature of the Haitian Consular Officer that legalized your dossier at the foreign Haitian Embassy in your country.

If the child to be adopted is already identified and/or as soon as the child is identified, the child’s portion of the adoption dossier has to be compiled. This dossier portion includes the social history on the child which is prepared by a Haitian Social Worker, a Psychologist report, a Medical report and a Lab Report is made. Additionally, the child’s birth certificate, parent’s death certificate or relinquishment papers are added to the dossier at that time. Additionally, any birth or death certificates have to have Archive Papers attached to the document. This certifies that the signature on the birth certificate and/or death certificate corresponds with the signature of the official who signed it.

When all the papers are back from Legalization and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the child’s paperwork is finished, the dossier is prepared for the National Office of Social Welfare (IBESR) and sent to the lawyer. The dossier consists of one original document dossier and three copy dossiers.