[misshawna]

The scenario is a little consfusing, so bear with me as I explain...

We adopted our son, Jaxon, almost 5 years ago in Krasnoyarsk Russia. We were residents of Oklahoma at the time. After tens of thousands of dollars in expenses and miles of red tape, we were too worn out to think about the readoption when we returned to the States. In the mean time (the plot thickens), we have moved and are now residents of Missouri.

My cousin is an attorney in Oklahoma, and she said Oklahoma will not do the readoption now because we don't reside in Oklahoma at this time. However, I did call the vital records department in Oklahoma, and they will issue an Oklahoma birth certificate IF I send them proof of residency in Oklahoma at the time of the adoption, a copy of the foreign birth certificate and translation, an ORIGINAL of the adoption decree and translation.

Here are my questions for other adoptive parents. I realize you can't give legal advice, but I would like opinions from others who have been there:
In your opinion, how important is it that we complete the readoption if Missouri will allow it? I know our adoption is legally recognized by the US and Missouri. He is a US Citizen. We have a citizenship certificate and he has a social security card.
Will Missouri do a readoption for us since we live in MO now? My cousin cited Missouri Statute: Readoption After an Intercountry Adoption Citation: Rev. Stat. § 453.170(3).
If Missouri will do a readoption, will a notarized copy of the certified copy of the adoption decree work for a readoption? I ask this because the vital stats department of Oklahoma requires the ORIGINAL certified copy of the adoption decree for the sealed file in order to get his birth certificate. I don't think I can get another original certified copy of the adoption decree from Russia. That would just be a nightmare to even try.

I appreciate any information and assistance you can give me. I want to do the birth certificate as soon as possible, but I don't want to mail off that original document if it is imperative that we have it for a readoption. It is kind of a catch 22!

I am actually leaning towards not worrying about the readoption sincem y main concern was an English / American birth certificate anyway.

Thanks again!

Shawna