[drmalcolm]

Hi all,
I just wanted to make a suggestion to those of you who know you want to adopt but still are exploring programs, agencies, etc. If you or your spouse were born in a different state, send away NOW for a few copies of your birth certificate.

I suggest this because you will need your birth certificate for several steps in the process. We sent away for my husband's in the beginning of December (it would have gone sooner, but his state requires a notarized application and he was out of town for 2 weeks when we began the process). It's very frustrating now, as we cannot get his passport or file the I-600A until we have a birth certificate. We also need a copy in order for our home-study to be completed.

I happened to send away for the certificate by mail, but I've heard of others who have used VitalCheck (online ordering service) with varying results... sometimes they've received it very quickly, and some have experienced a several month wait!

As for how many, I ordered 3 birth certificates for each of us, but many folks have said they only needed 1 or 2 originals and could use copies for the rest. If you live in your state of birth, you can always go to the Department of Vital Records for more, but if one of you was born out of state... well, let's just say, I didn't want to take any chances. Now I'm glad I didn't, as I certainly would hate to have start this process again for an extra certificate!

Anyway, if anyone else can think of an "if only I knew then what I know now" suggestion for new folks, feel free to post it.

Good luck to all,
Christina