This is the first article in a series called “Travel List” on the Adoption site. More specific lists for domestic and international adoption will follow in upcoming “Travel List” articles.

The items listed below may seem obvious to those that have adopted or will be adopting. However, they can also be the items that get overlooked in the excitement of planning your adoption travel journey.

• Paperwork: Copies and/or originals of all important paperwork. Keep this paperwork with you, and not in your checked luggage.
  
  
• Contact List: Make sure you have a list of contact people. Having the contacts on your phone is great, but if your phone becomes lost or stolen, you’ll be thankful for the list.
  
  
• Cell Phone: Yes, just about everyone has a cell phone. But, does your cell phone coverage exist in the part of the country or outside of the country that you will be traveling to? If not, make the appropriate changes.
  
  
• Baby/child clothes and necessities: Your agency will be able to give you more specifics about what child items to pack. Obliviously, this will vary greatly if you are adopting an infant or adopting an older child.
  
  
• Parent Necessities: It’s easy to forget what Mom or Dad needs while traveling to meet their child. Don’t forget the basics, such as toiletries, clothes (sounds strange, but it has happened before), and any medications that either parent is taking.
  
  
• Passport/Identification: Do not wait until the last minute to apply for your passport. It may not be issued in time of your travel date. Make sure that your license has not expired. If it has, renew it before traveling to meet your child.
  
  
• Camera: It can be a Kodak Fun Saver camera or a fancy digital camera. The point is, don’t forget it. Sure, you can pick up a camera just about anywhere—but it’s much cheaper if you remember to bring your own.
  
  
• Journal: It doesn’t matter if it’s written on scrap pieces of paper or an adoption specific journal—just as long as the special moments and thoughts are written down on paper. There’s plenty of time to make it look pretty in a scrapbook, so for now, just be sure to write down (or record) these amazing first moments in your family’s life.