[John_S]

We brought our daughter home from Guatemala on July 1, 2005. We're trying to finish up final paperwork now ... she came home on an IR4 Visa. How do we get her final US citizenship?

I tried searching this forum, but couldn't find the information I was looking for.

Any help would be appreciated!!!

thanks.
Elizabeth and John
parents of Matthew (6), Joshua (3) and Alejandra (7 mths)

[Maggie Beth]

Hi there --

I would advise you to talk with the social worker who did your homestudy in your state, as this really depends on the laws of the state where you live.

In many states you will need to petition the court for what is called "re-adoption" -- where the state court reviews your Guatemalan adoption docs and issues a U.S. adoption decree. This decree will also allow you to change your child's name, if you want. Once you have the US adoption decree, you should be able to get a birth certificate for your child in your state, then you can apply for a SS card, a US passport and a Certificate of Citizenship.

This is just a brief explanation; PLEASE speak with your social worker for specific instructions for your state.

Good luck!

[stillerlove]

The previous e-mail was right about looking into re-adopting in your state first. That way you can do a formal name change and get a state birth certificate at the same time. Then- you should apply for social security and citizenship once you have made the name change official (if you are doing a name change). You can look on the Department of Homeland Security (INS) website for the forms and information on applying for citizenship. Hope this helps.

Michelle

[sb123]

We also came home on an IR-4 visa. In our state, you have to wait 6 months to do a readoption, so we got the social security card first. To get the SS card, you just need to provide the adoption paperwork from Guatemala. I went in person and took the whole file. I suppose the adoption deed is enough if you mail it in. I also took the INS form that showed his permanent alient (A-number) on it.

If you get the SS card first, the child is classified as a "permanenet resident alien". After the readoption and Certificate of Citizen, you can take those to the SS office and get the name changed and also get the status changed to "citizen".

Hope this helps!

sb123

[wannahave3]

Just one more thing to add. Some states require readoption while others just "recognition of foreign adoption". Once that is completed you file the N600 with your local USCIS office (same office as you filed your I600A) and then you wait... and wait... and wait...

Here is the link for a website that should help. Good luck!

http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/general/lega...ernational.pdf