Final set of docs are apostilled

I decided today that I would drive into Richmond (not very far) to hand deliver the papers that needed the apostille. I was hoping that it would be quicker if I went there in person plus it can be another part of the experience. Well, after navigating the sometimes confusing streets of Richmond I found a place to park. I finally made my way into the Patrick Henry building and up to the office for the authentications (Virginia uses the term authentication as opposed to apostille).

After I described what I needed, I was asked if I wanted to wait. I was kind of surprised, as I was expecting to come back another day to get them once they were done. I asked how long and was told "about twenty minutes". Wow! So I waited for them to be done and left after a little bit, happy that I had the docs in our hands.

This means that once we make copies of all the docs and a second set of pictures we can send off the dossier! Wow, that was quicker than we were thinking. Now, I don't know how long it will take for the agency to make sure we didn't miss anything and have the dossier translated, so I can't give a timeframe for when they will be sent to Russia. I believe that they will tell us once they send it over, though. Once it is sent over I'm not sure of how long until it is registered and we are officially on the list.

I am also going to send off the paperwork for the immigration approval for 2 children tomorrow. This is not needed until we work on the paperwork for the second part of the dossier, sent in before trip #2. For this immigration approval we will need more fingerprints taken, but this time in Alexandria.

So we almost have the dossier sent off. Hard to believe that we are at this point already.