ACRO-WHAT?

There are many times through the Chinese adoption process that there are acronyms used to help expedite terms and get the point across quickly but it only allows ease to those who know the acronyms, the rest are left befuddled about the meanings.  So, I have below a KEY to help navigate through the adoption process with me.  The (DATES) are when we completed these steps and acronyms along the way. Enjoy! :)

Adoption Acronyms

1. HS -    Home Study (6/8/2015)
2. I-800A   - Application to USCIS to adopt a child from China (7/6/2015)
3. I-797-Notice Of Action - I-800A approval (8/14/2015)
4. DTA - Dossier To Agency (8/25/2015)
5. DTC  -  Dossier to China (9/4/2015)
6. LID   -  Logged In Date(9/7/2015)
7. OOT  -  Out Of Translation - Our Dossier has been translated into Chinese and is heading to review (~10/10; We weren't told the exact day the status went from translation to review.)
8. Reviewed - with the new database that the CCCWA installed in 2013, there are some new steps that we can track now.  Reviewed shows when your dossier has been, well, reviewed by the staff! (10/13/2015)
   
9. MATCHED!!! - (10/16/2015) We decided to move forward with the file of sweet Zheng Jian Rong and will be locking our file in with China with a LOI "Letter of Intent." 
   
10. LOI - Letter of Intent - A letter sent to China stating our intent to adopt Zheng Jian Rong.(10/19/2015)
    
11. Locked-In to China - (10/19/2015) China has received our LOI "Letter of Intent" and sweet Zheng Jian Rong is one step closer to being Malakai "Kai" Jian Rong Norick and is no longer available to the public.
    
12. PA -  Pre-Approval - Once your file is locked in to China you are given a pre-approval of your match with that child and can start to put together a care package for them!(10/19/2015)
13. Match Reviewed or Soft LOA - Our dossier & Zheng Jian Rong's specific file are given their final review and the LOA is issued.  It shows in the computer system as issued before it actually arrives in its paper form at the agency. (10/20/2015)
14. LOA-    Letter Of Acceptance from China; also called LSC (Letter Seeking Confirmation) (10/  /2015)
15. I-800-  Application sent to USCIS to adopt a specific child  - in this case, our sweet Malakai "Kai" Jian Rong, from China
16. DS-260- Online US Dept of State form to apply for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration on behalf of your child
17. NVC PDF-  Emailed copy of the adoption approval letter sent to the Consulate in Guangzhou China
18. A 5 or Article 5- Final approval from the United States for the adoption to take place
19. TA-   Travel Approval
20. Gotcha Day or Forever Family Day - when you receive placement of your child
21. CA -   US Consulate Appointment in China