[Twomooks]

We brought our beautiful son home from Guatemala three months ago on an IR-3 visa. We received his citizenship paperwork and I marched in the Social Security Office to apply for his very own SS#. I thought I had all the paperwork, but was told we need a "Final Adoption Decree." Does anyone have insight on this and where we might locate it?? Thank you!

[CurlysGirly]

We brought all of our paperwork the our attorney gave us including the PGN decree. Bring both the original in Spanish and the translated one. That seemed to work.

[DPline]

Definetly make sure you bring everything. The PGN decree should make them happy, but having the Protocolo as back up wouldn't hurt.

Or if you think they may have just been being difficult (not unheard of from SSA) try another office.

Good luck!

[Guatemom]

DITTO!!!!
I just applied for Cristian's on the 15th, and that's one of the first things they asked for was the final decree. TAKE IT WITH YOU!!! As well as either an immunization record or a visa to "identify" your child.

[Alexa07]

I was just going to post this same question as I am going to get my dd's SS# next week. Can I please add an additional question? Do you get all the stuff back when you leave the office or do they mail it to you? Thanks!

[DPline]

They will look at everything, possibly make copies, and hand it right back to you. Great question!

[Alexa07]

Thank you!!

[emsd55]

When my DS and DD came home (both came home at different times) I had brought everything I came home with to social security. Make sure you bring spanish and english translations. Both of my kids came home on IR-4 visas. When I applied for their ss#s I had their permanent resident cards with me as well. So, if anyone reading this post and your child(ren) came home on an IR-4 you may want to wait to get SS# until you have permanent resident card.

[DPline]

Originally Posted by emsd55

When my DS and DD came home (both came home at different times) I had brought everything I came home with to social security. Make sure you bring spanish and english translations. Both of my kids came home on IR-4 visas. When I applied for their ss#s I had their permanent resident cards with me as well. So, if anyone reading this post and your child(ren) came home on an IR-4 you may want to wait to get SS# until you have permanent resident card.

I just wanted to expand on this a little. I hope you don't mind!

You can apply for a SS# for your child any time from the moment they land in the US regardless of visa type. SSA however can not determine citizenship status based on visa type. For your child to be listed with SSA as a US citizen you need to show a COC.

So, if you do get a SS# for your child who arrived on an IR4 visa before readopting and getting a COC, make sure you follow up later and get back to SSA with the COC. And if your child came home on an IR3 and you get a SS# before the COC arrives, you will need to follow up with SSA to update their citizenship status as they will be listed as a legal resident until you present the COC.

[emsd55]

not a problem expanding. I do plan on following up with SS due to the fact that we are also legally changing the kids names. Since both of my kids were home before the of 2007 we were able to claim them because we had their SS #s.