[Kedu]

So when the judge was signing P's Adoption Decree with Name Change, she noticed that the date on it was wrong. She signed it for the ceremony, then asked the clerk to correct it and signed the correct one in chambers after photos. The clerk brought it out to DH, along with the Certificate of Adoption. I looked over the Adoption Decree and saw everything was correct. I didn't even think to check out the Certificate of Adoption. When I looked later that day, I noticed that the Certificate of Adoption had P's name listed incorrectly. The last name was his old one, not ours. What exactly is the Certificate of Adoption used for? Is this a major issue? It seems like the Adoption Decree with Name Change, signed by the judge, would be the most important piece of paperwork, at least until we can get the amended birth certificate in 4 months.

I called and emailed P's social worker with this question. I finally heard from her yesterday. She was heading over to the court and would check things out there and get back to me. I'm still waiting. I was hoping someone here could tell me if this is a big deal or not.

[jcm]

It's funny you should mention this, as we heard from a lawyer a few weeks ago at our friend's adoption hearing that the certificate is almost always messed up. Not sure what the certificate is used for, but I know the Decree is what my DH's HR department wanted for proof of adoption.

Sorry I can't help further!

[Wishingndreaming]

I am not sure what the Certificate is for either. It's the Decree that the Social Security office will ask for and will base the new name off of.

[eagleswings216]

Our boys were born in Tennessee and we have to apply for the Certificate of Adoption, which we then use to apply for their amended birth certificates. (We are waiting for the certificates now). In our case, I think the certificate has to be correct in order to apply for the amended birth certificate, but I'm not sure it's the same in your case (or that I even understood it correctly).

[bldgafamily]

In NC we weren't even given Adoption Certificates- the only things we were given for our girls were Decrees. We were able to use those for anything we needed.

[loveajax]

i think you are in MA? I would ask your lawyer (if you have one) to present it again to the judge...if not, just go to the clerk's office and explain. I don't think it's a big deal but I would just get it changed anyway....

At the finalization hearing, the judge started calling DD by her birth name....my whole family was confused!