Adoption Appel

Adoption in Medellin
An adoption in Colombia (Medellin) via La Casita de Nicolas.

The plane arrived after 7:00pm . We were greeted by the interpreter who drove us to the hotel. The hotel is located in Rio Negro , close to the airport. A representative of Appel phoned the hotel to see if everything was going well, and explain what would be happening. She left her coordinates so we can reach her.

The next day, the interpreter picks us up at the hotel for the transfer to Medellin , to our chosen hotel.

Meeting with the lawyer who describes in detail the Colombian laws on Adoption, and explains the hearing.

Second day: We discover our new treasure at the orphanage, accompanied by an interpreter and the lawyer.

Third day: Meeting with the lawyer, we sign the application and start the hearing. The whole family, lawyer and interpreter go and visit the courthouse.

The interpreter remains available at all times, if we want to visit, shop, etc..

We receive some phone calls from the lawyer and the representative of Appel to see if everything is under control.

When the judge checked the papers (he has no time limit by law, in this case, 2 days), we have a confirmation from the lawyer that the hearing has begun. For the hearing, the maximum allowed by law in Medellin is 10 days.

Meanwhile, we must go to a notary to sign papers to allow us to leave Colombia with the child. The interpreter takes care of everything (transport, information, etc.)...

We must also take pictures of the baby for his Colombian passport. The interpreter takes care of everything.

When the judgment is pronounced, one of us must travel to the new courthouse to sign the Judgment (with the interpreter).

The passport application is forwarded to the passport office (same building as the courthouse). We must wait a few days to receive the child's passport. The lawyer also handles the paperwork.

Planning to leave Bogotá with the representative of Appel INC.

In this case (special case), the Canadian Embassy found that the baby was too small for his age. We were forced to make an appointment with a pediatrician, and a laboratory for blood tests. The interpreter takes care of everything (fast appointments, transportation, guide). Two extra days were needed for this application. The papers are then transmitted by the interpreter to Trinidad and Tobago for verification and acceptance by a doctor.

The lawyer meets with us and submits the different copies of the judgment, and all documents necessary to facilitate our return to Canada .

Our family can finally leave for Bogotá, the representative of Appel awaits us at the airport to drive everyone to the hotel.

Before departure, the representative of Appel mentions that the requirements of movement in Bogotá are limited and sometimes forces users to not drive their vehicles on certain days (license plate numbers that are odd or even) because of smog and pollution. In our case, a person from the hotel serves as a companion and interpreter between the airport and the hotel.

They wait for us at the airport with a sign and our name listed above.

In Bogotá, the representative of Appel deals with procedures for obtaining a Canadian visa. She accompanies one of us to the Embassy.

In this particular case, the Embassy was waiting for a reply from a Doctor in Tobago , Trinidad before providing the Canadian visa (2 days of extra time).

Last day (20th). The representative drives our family to the airport, then accompanies us to the immigration counter, explaining in detail what papers must be submitted to the various counters.

Back in Canada . At the airport, we must go through the Canadian and Quebec offices of Immigration.

Notes:
The trip took place from the 1st until the 21st of September 2001 .

For the duration of the voyage, the various appointed personnel on file remain in constant contact with us. The latter have the details of the interpreter (land line and cell phone), the representative of Appel INC. in Colombia , the lawyer and Appel INC. in Rock Forest . For adoptions in Bogotá, the judicial system is overwhelmed so foresee a minimum stay of 6 weeks. The steps are substantially the same. Parents usually take 2 weeks to go sit on the by the Sea in Santa Martha or Cartagena.