[Lissa]

Please know that right now there is a passport backlog. Normally it took 6 weeks to get a passport, now it's taking over 3 months. If you are considering IA you need to have a passport even in the early stages, so be aware this is something that could effect your adoption timeline.

[lnaughto]

My current passport has my maiden name on it (we've been married @ 2 years). I was planning to apply for a name change, but wonder if it would be prudent to wait 6 months for the quantity of applications to subside... I'm not concerned about the length of time it's taking to get the passports back -- I'm more worried that mine would get lost in the huge backlog.

We're only 3 months into our wait... and if we were to receive a SN child and need to travel sooner (yup, wishful thinkin' ) I think I would be all right as long as I have our marriage certificate with us to show my legal name.

Any thoughts?

[Lissa]

I have never changed my name. When we adopted Lydia my husband and I had different last names. We have different last names still. Once Lydia gets older I may change my last name to hers (she took my husband's last name--believe me it was a battle--but I eventually gave in), but it was never a problem during the process as far asthe adoption or travel was concerned.

[Lissa]

P.S. Because Lydia and I have different last names I make sure to carry an identikidcard with me everywhere clearly stating my name and hers and clearly stating I am her mother.

[ttcasey]

There is a backlog in passport processing, but if I were you I would start getting your new passport as soon as possible. We switched from NSN to SN with our agency's waiting child list. We could be traveling by September (hopefully!), if this is an option for you I would get all of your paperwork done.

[canthardlywait]

My husband sent off for his passport on April14 and received it just last Friday(June29);he is a new applicant.

I sent off my passport for a renewal for a name change only on April16 and am still waiting....will be 12 weeks today!


(I do like that you can see the progress online whether or not yours is being processed and they do update it with mailing info and a tracking number once it is sent off)

Now that we are so close to being DTC I need that passport soon!

[Arador]

For some reason name changes take more time. Mrs. A here and I sent the name change off end of January and didnt get it until then end of March. Shame there is no way to track it. Hang in there - you should get something soon.

[dragthor]

Yeah... it takes a while... especially since you now need a passport to travel to Canada and Mexico.

Tip: Make sure your passport photos do NOT have red eye... else they reject them.

[oleson1]

My in-laws are springing for a cruise for our whole family. We sent passport apps in for all the kids March 16th and JUST got Jasmine's back (I'm sure all the China adoption stuff thoroughly confused the situation!! ) a little over a week ago. We were a little worried -- I know that the rules have changed and now you just have to prove you have applied (for the Carribean), but you still have to have a photo ID. Unfortunately, they were in possession all of our pertinent documentation to obtain a photo ID for her.

All's well that ends well...

I agree, though, get your passports NOW!!! It is the ONE document the won't expire prior to referral!!

[themerrymouse]

We are hoping to begin paperwork next summer. Is the passport something we need to have updated before we start paperwork? Or is that something we can do after we are accepted by an agency, etc.?

[canthardlywait]

No, you don't need to have the passport until you are ready to have everything authenticated and sent to your agency for review before it heads to China; You can sign an agency contract without one.

My husband didnt have his sent off til April and we signed with our agency in February.


Best of Luck to you!

[Joliey]

My husband and I do not share our last names either Lissa, I too plan to change it when Sally is older. I agree, get that passport early, you do not want to get stuck with waiting for one more piece of documentation.

Yoli

[Shelley]

Most agencies want a copy of your passport in the early stages of paperwork. Not for signing with them, but with the first packet of info that you have to fill out and send in. At least this was the case with both of our adoptions, things might have changed. If you need a pasport and are adopting, I would make that one of the first things you do. I know we did.
My oldest son traveled to Europe over spring break this yr. and his passport took 8-12 weeks. Shelley mom to 6