The first step in the Haitian adoption process is putting together your adoption dossier. What is required in the dossier? The requirements may vary slightly from agency to agency, but this is a general list of what is needed (please double check with your agency before compiling your dossier):

• 4 Passport Photos of each Parent: These will be sent to Haiti with the dossier. The dossier cannot be processed in Haiti without them. DO NOT use the photos off of your passport.
• 1-3 Photo Pages: A total of four- color copies of these pages are needed. The pages should contain pictures of the adoptive parents, family and home. No more than 3 pages will be accepted.
• IBESR Letter: (Haitian Social Services) This is a letter requesting formal authorization to adopt from Haiti. The IBESR letter should be a positive letter, not apologetic. This is the one chance the parents have to personally prove themselves. The other documents are about them, but they are not written by them. See below for sample letter. If you are a single woman, your letter needs to include a statement that you are not homosexual. (Notarized & State Authenticated.)
• Birth Certificates (for each adoptive parent): The birth certificate must be a state-issued Bureau of Vital Statistics original from the state you were born in. Only the father and/or mother’s birth certificates are needed.
• Marriage Certificate: A state-issued Bureau of Vital Statistics original certificate is preferred, although a certified copy of the marriage license is acceptable.
• Power of Attorney letter: This allows your agency and their lawyer to do adoption work on your behalf in Haiti. (Notarized & State Authenticated.)
• INS Pre-approval: You must submit an I-600a to USCIS and they will approve your application and issue an I-171h on your behalf to US Embassy in Haiti.
• Employment letter: The letter(s) of employment need to state when the parent was hired or how long the parent has been employed with the company, and state what the prospects are for continued employment. The letter should also include what their title is, that the employed parent is in good standing with the company, and what their current wage/salary/earnings are. Employment letter must be done on company letterhead. **If a person is self-employed, the letter must be from the company accountant, on company letterhead. (Notarized by employer or accountant.)
• Bank Letter: This letter should specifically state that the client’s account(s) is in good standing and how long they have had an account(s). We suggest that adoptive families ask their bank to state in the letter that copies of the client’s last three bank statements are attached. (Notarized by bank.)
• Bank Statements: These need not be originals. These must be for the three most recent, consecutive months. The summary page is sufficient. The parent’s main bank account will suffice if they have more than one account. We suggest that adoptive families ask their bank to state that copies of the client’s last three bank statements are attached to the bank or account letter.

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