Hei hei norske ambassade! Du rekna ikkje med å sjå meg i dag vel?

"Hi, Norwegian Embassy! You weren't expecting to see me today, were you?!"

I am a little behind on reporting the status/process of all the paperwork I've been encountering because, well, paperwork isn't too exciting and it has been pretty uneventful...until today! So, let me get you caught up on what has happened in these past couple weeks.

Changing my name was my choice and we figured it would be easier to change it before beginning the immigration process because then I'd have to go through all the paperwork in two countries. This does put a delay on the process but, in the end, I think it was the right thing to do.  So, just over a week ago, I went to the Social Security Administration to change my name. I came with all my paperwork: marriage certificate, driver's license, old Social Security card, official copy of my birth certificate, etc. I provided more than enough documentation! But because the marriage certificate was in Norwegian they said they had to make a copy and send it off to be translated. Even if I had provided them with an official translation they wouldn't accept it. They want to translate it themselves and, of course, they said it would take six weeks to get my new card! SIX WEEKS! I was devastated! That puts such a hold on the process! But I took a deep breath, I got over it and just went about my week.

My mom had come into town to visit and help plan our American reception in April and attend some doctor appointments with me. It was so nice to have her along planning and gathering decorations. We had a great time! And, because I had to have some more tests done for the doctor, she ended up staying an extra day to go with me. That also meant she was there to witness a miracle! <<insert drumroll>>

My Social Security card arrived one week, to the day, from when I applied! I was thrilled! 

With my new card in hand (and all the aforementioned over-documentation) I stood outside the MVA (Maryland's answer to the DMV) an hour before they opened. I wanted to be one of the first to get in and, boy, am I glad I woke up early, did my hair and makeup and made a big cup of coffee! It was cold out there this morning! My poor toes were freezing! I sipped my hot coffee while reading this book that was a bridal shower gift from a couple dear friends.

Thanks Lilly and Kristen!

Once inside the warm MVA, I had my documents checked over by one person and then given a number which, luckily, was called rather quickly as I was the sixth person in line. When I got up to the window, the lady was nothing but rude and short with me. I was the first person she helped this morning so I can only imagine her attitude as the day wore on! She informed me that because the marriage license was in Norwegian I'd have to have it translated.

Darn it!

Well, fine, I understand. I did ask to speak to the manager because she was being so short with me that I wanted to verify what she was saying. The manager (very nicely!) said that I'd have to get it translated by an MVA-approved translator and told me the website to locate one. Slightly deflated, I went out to the car and opened the web browser on my phone. Not surprisingly there are no MVA-approved translators for Norwegian! They have a huge list of just about every other language in the world save for the one I needed!

I walked back in the MVA and completely bypassed the line heading straight for the manager. I pointed out the lack of Norwegian translators and he checked only to find that I was right. He called someone and came back saying I would need to go to the embassy to get it translated. He also gave me a "Fast Pass" so when I returned I wouldn't have to wait in line as long.

"Fast Pass" still entails at least a 30 min wait!

Losing yet more momentum I sauntered back to the car and looked at the clock - 9:00am. I had two hours before my first walk. Surely someone would be able to translate it for me, right? Fortunately I had added the phone number for the embassy to my cell phone because I've called them a few times. The lady was very nice and said she would do it for me for $25. I booked it down to the embassy and even landed a free parking spot within a block!

The Norwegian Embassy

 The lady translated the marriage certificate with a big Norwegian smile and, after 45 minutes, I was leaving the embassy with a translation and an armful of Norwegian travel guides, maps etc.

Now, they *have* to accept this, right?

It has an official seal, for heaven's sake!

 I had just enough time to make it to my first walk and was only about ten minutes late (but I was still well within my window of when the dogs needed to be out). All day I kept an eye on the time and after walking little Daphna I ran back up to the MVA and handed them my "Fast Pass." Finally! My number was called! All my paperwork was accepted and they took my picture for my new license! What great luck that I live so close to the embassy and didn't have to send off for the translation!

I blocked out the "case" number for privacy issues. 

 It was quite the adventurous and long day but I'm glad I was able to pull it off all at once. All the hullaballoo is just bringing me each step closer to moving to Norway! The next step: getting a new passport. You can bet we're going to be paying extra to have that process expedited!!

Whew, we're getting closer!!

And We're Off! The Start of the Immigration Process!

Today I received a much awaited package in the mail! Svein Arild had sent me the official marriage certificate back on the 17th but it took two weeks and one day to get here!

Picture taken like this to avoid divulging personal information.

I was thrilled when my housemate texted me today that she had signed for a package from Svein Arild! I immediately ran home to get it! Having it in my possession means we can now officially start the immigration process! We, as you know, got married legally on December 21 but because of the holidays and such our receipt of the certificate was delayed and therefore my receipt of it was uber-delayed. Svein Arild paid extra for tracking this single piece of paper in an envelope so we could keep track of the very important document. Well, that was all fine and good until the envelope reached New York City. The tracking stopped there as it was a Norwegian tracking code so we had no idea where it was for over a week and we were getting concerned that it had gotten lost. But, whew! It is here now so we can get started with this whole process!

The certificate is pivotal in the process because I have to legally change my name before I can apply for family reunification in Norway. I could have applied with my current last name but then would have had to change my name in two countries instead of one. I figured doing it this way would just be easier. So, on Monday, I will be going to the Social Security office to change my name!

The next step in the process will be to gather the paperwork required to file for family reunification in order for me to move to Norway. I need to get a new passport which, as you know, is a lengthy wait so I'll pay extra for an expedited return on the new passport.

I also need to obtain an official copy of my birth certificate which, in its own right, will be a process. I have to mail an application to the records office with a check and wait for them to send me a copy. Then I have to mail it to the Secretary of State's office in that state to get, you guessed it, another apostille! Those gold stickers are very important! I almost feel like I need to collect a certain amount to get into the Chocolate Factory that is Norway!

There are other documents, essays, etc that are required but I won't bore with those. There is a complete list on the UDI website should you need them. Here is the link: http://goo.gl/ilaIP

Hopefully this process will be speedy and smooth. I've heard horror stories but I feel it is more the anticipation with the hurry-up-and-wait nature of the process that causes anxiety. I get asked on a daily basis, "When are you moving to Norway?" I really have no clue! We don't know how long this process will take but we certainly hope it is before our church wedding in August!! Keep your fingers crossed for us! At least now we can get started and stop sitting on our thumbs! 

Thanks for joining us on this journey! Send speedy thoughts to our paperwork!

Hadet bra!