So DNA went out last Thursday. FYI, thursday might just be the worst day to have your DNA testing appointment since the weekend screws you over. Expedited fedex back to the states meant the package was delivered on Monday... Yup 4 days later. But it got there and all was well. I was a bit nervous with the timing since Wednesday was the 4th of July and the DNA testing office would be closed and the Embassy as well. TRICK #1, you can pay to have a duplicate set of DNA run in parallel to ensure that you get the results in 48 hours. This ensures that you have enough markers to make an accurate analysis. We did this just to make sure the email went out to the Embassy as quickly as possible. We got the result >99.999 and >99.994% chance that they are mine. pretty good odds. Karin from the US Embassy was AMAZING. After confirming the DNA results, she expedited the processing as soon as she entered the office and we had our passports printed by noon! I was feeling lucky and decided to double down and go straight to FRRO. We arrived at 12:45 (note lunch is from 1-2), Everyone should read the post by the gemini dragons on the FRRO, it is really helpful. I hit FRRO at the "perfect" time. No one in line at the tables where you get the post-it note. Grabbed it, got the kids from the AC car, and walked inside. 2 people were in front of me at the info desk. I told them i needed two exit visas for surrogacy. I received the template form and a blank piece of paper to write the "i didn't pay" statement. In the rush, I forgot to ask the embassy to make photocopies of the twins passports. SO i exited the building, turned left outside the gate, and then crossed the street where there was a sign that says PHOTO COPIES/VISA/PHOTOS. Walked back to the FRRO and it was lunch time. TRICK #2, if you hold you baby in your arms and wait at the desk, looking tired, someone will come and help you... even if they are on their break. The man at the desk confirmed I had all my paper work and placed my packet on the next desk. We waited 45min, which was good since the twins needed food. When the folks came back from lunch I picked up one of the twins and stood holding them looking tired (repeat of trick #2... yes I was willing to milk it for every penny). It worked, the man at the second desk flipped through the papers and took the packet to another office. 15 minutes later i heard "USA... USA". It was for me. I got the packet, walked to desk #10. Waited for one person in front of me (still with a baby in my arms). He flipped through the packet, asked when I wanted to leave. I told him our flight was on the 9th, and he said we have until the 12th but we can leave anytime before that. He checked one more time, stamp, stamp stamp. I went to pay the fee. walked to the final desk for a signature, and ran out of there. Finish time 2:45pm. Yes from arrival at the embassy at noon to exiting the FRRO 2 hours and 45min. Including a 45min break for lunch.
If you follow the instructions from the post by Michael and John everything will work out. It is VERY thorough and accurate. The FRRO really isn't scary. It actually worked really well. I'm not advocating that you go in the afternoon. Everyone I know that has gone in the morning has had everything work out by the afternoon. I might be just crazy lucky, but I figured even if I didn't get it today I would have it by tomorrow... it was a good gamble.
Other notes: If you only have I had one surrogate that carried twins, so they only needed one copy of the surrogacy agreement, one copy of the "i didn't pay declaration" and one copy of the "no objection" statement from the surrogate. The bill/paid reservation from the hotel is sufficient in lieu of a letter from the hotel, but you HAVE to have it. A flight reservation is not required, but it made getting a date for the exit visa easier. We were able to bring water, food, formula into the FRRO. I'm not sure if that's because it was laxed at lunch time, but at first we left everything in the car, and during the break I went back out and walked right in with it. Remember to hold onto your post-it note. We drank water, fed the twins, and even ate a snack and no one said anything. A couple next to us was using their phone and no one cared. I think photography is the only truly forbidden thing.
Hopefully this helps others!!!
If you follow the instructions from the post by Michael and John everything will work out. It is VERY thorough and accurate. The FRRO really isn't scary. It actually worked really well. I'm not advocating that you go in the afternoon. Everyone I know that has gone in the morning has had everything work out by the afternoon. I might be just crazy lucky, but I figured even if I didn't get it today I would have it by tomorrow... it was a good gamble.
Other notes: If you only have I had one surrogate that carried twins, so they only needed one copy of the surrogacy agreement, one copy of the "i didn't pay declaration" and one copy of the "no objection" statement from the surrogate. The bill/paid reservation from the hotel is sufficient in lieu of a letter from the hotel, but you HAVE to have it. A flight reservation is not required, but it made getting a date for the exit visa easier. We were able to bring water, food, formula into the FRRO. I'm not sure if that's because it was laxed at lunch time, but at first we left everything in the car, and during the break I went back out and walked right in with it. Remember to hold onto your post-it note. We drank water, fed the twins, and even ate a snack and no one said anything. A couple next to us was using their phone and no one cared. I think photography is the only truly forbidden thing.
Hopefully this helps others!!!
