[mommytoEli]

Did anyone just choose to do a name change? I guess in some states (including Cali) readoption is an option. Just wondering if anyone chose to do this??

[kerrib]

People readopt for name changes (I'll be one of them) so they can get a U.S. birth certificate.

If you don't readopt you'll always need to use your child's Guat. birth certificate and it might be tough to get another one if you need a certified copy for something.

[DPline]

It is not correct that you have to readopt to do a name change or to get a state issued BC - at least in every state. It varies greatly. We only did name changes. In my state there is no way to readopt. There is a court procedure if your child comes home on an IR4 (You get a letter from the Family Court in your county stating that the adoption is a recognized finalized foreign adoption) but there is nothing to do for an IR3. As part of the legal name change in our county, a delayed registration of foreign birth certificate is issued in the new name.

[Tamiswaiting]

Way early for me to even think about. Nevertheless, I have . I don't plan on readopting (I live in PA). I haven't heard any good arguments to bother. It seems rather redundant to me. Maybe I'm missing something. If I am, somebody feel free to clue me in.

[Pipercub]

We plan on doing a reaffirmation (different from readoption) here in Texas. The reaffirmation will basically accomplish everything a readoption would except we will avoid having to go through the court system so it will be less expensive and less complicated (the courts in some counties in Texas make you jump through a million hoops - to accomplish basically the same thing reaffirmation will). It will get our daughter a Texas birth certificate with her new name, which we'll use to also get her social security card with her name. We should be all set!

[amouton]

We aren't changing his name but we are doing a recognition so we can get him a US BC.

[avoel]

In Kansas also I only did a recognition of foreign adoption and name change...total cost about $50 and that included the filing fee and copies of the new Kansas certificate of foreign birth. I still might do a readoption later (there is something to be said for being able to get local copies of adoption decrees) but I will wait until I am absolutely sure my family is complete and readopt all my children at once.

[whereintheworld]

We only did a name change. The way we did it, we never needed to go to court, just mailed in documents, and received a court order for the name change.

In Maryland, it is NOT necessary to do a readoption when you have IR-3. You can get a Maryland "Certificate of Foreign Birth" with just the documents you bring home from Guate and proof of the parents residency (you could do this the day after you arrive home, if you aren't changing the name). If you readopt, you get the exact same kind of birth certificate, but the name change is included.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by Tamiswaiting

Way early for me to even think about. Nevertheless, I have . I don't plan on readopting (I live in PA). I haven't heard any good arguments to bother. It seems rather redundant to me. Maybe I'm missing something. If I am, somebody feel free to clue me in.

One reason to readopt is for documents that can be replaced if they are ever lost or destroyed. It is not always possible to have a foreign country send you a copy of your adoption decree if you need it for some purpose. And of course having a birth certificate is obviously an absolute necessity and if something should happen to your child's Guatemalan one, it could be VERY difficult to replace. In some places you have to readopt to do a name change and/or get a state issued birth certificate and in some you do not. That is something you need to look into specifically for your area.

It could also be argued that readoption can help preserve inheritance rights. The risk is probably slight, but there is the possiblity that despite what your will says, it could be argued by difficult family members that because the child's foreign adoption isn't a "real" adoption. If you have substantial assets, and/or difficult family members, this may be worth considering.


What you can and can't and should and not necessarily need to do vary from state to state and county to county. As I said above, in my state, readoption is not even a possiblity, but we were able to do name changes and get a state issued birth certificate but in MANY places this is not true.

[brink]

In our state, you no longer have to readopt with an IR3. We did a name change only. Then I became concerned that down the road, there might be some issues, if we are the only ones who hold a copy (in the US) of the adoption decree. Our lawyer has also gotten confusing info from the state, as it just doesn't seem to be clear to people even at the state level. So for my own piece of mind, we are readopting. Now, with the name change, I've made it a bit more confusing for the lawyer, but he will get it right, I am sure. In the long run, if there were ever any questions concerning inheritance or any other legal issue, our children don't have to search through our paperwork to prove our daughter's adoption. And in our case, also, it seemed the thing to do for our older daughter. Our first two from Guatemala have photos and a day of final adoption. In her case, nada. Expensive photos, but since there is confusion for state level officials in our state, I felt it was important to finish this right. DH is told me to do what I felt most comfortable about, good guy that he is.

We do have a state issue BC, even though readoption has not occured yet. It has her Guatemalan given name along with my maiden name and married name. At the top is the legal name change info, but not typed in the blanks, just in sentence form that the legal change occured on such and such a date and her name is now such and such. I think she will get a BC with her name change as our sons have, once this is cleared up with readoption. Confusing in our state.

[KayV]

Readoption gives your child yet another layer of protection in the adoption, and like's been mentioned, some states require a readoption in order to change the name. I sort of think, I just spent thousands of dollars for the adoption, what's another couple hundred to complete it and have nothing left to do with it?

KayV

[dspakowsky]

In NC with an IR-3 you don't have to re-adopt. We did a name change at the country level, then got a Certificate of Foreign Birth from the State. It took a lot of work, but it cost under $100.

[pvellozo]

anyone familiar with the procedure in arkansas with an IR3 visa?

[shellysarita]

We did a name change and then got a recognition of foreign birth (BC) from the state. I do intend to file for a new COC with her new name.

Shelly

[mommytoEli]

WOW! you guys have been so helpful! I think I'm going to go for the recognition and name change, and possibly readopt later. isn't it frustrating that the gov't has all these things set up (readopt, affirmation, etc, etc), but it seems like NO ONE in the state offices knows "anything" about it? i am glad i have all of you