[asauer]

First thanks to those who responded to my message about what the 'adoption decree' looks like.

Turns out, we have a copy, not the original- our attorney did not give us the original- I am a meticulous file keeper and haven't lost a piece of paper since high school. Unfortunately, our agency has closed and the former owner is not returning calls. I called and e-mailed My guat. attorney who said "I don't have it, don't call again."

So, this leaves us unable to complete our re-adoption as our county won't accept anything except the original (NC). Any ideas? We thought of hiring an attorney (REALLY expensive). I also thought that the original might be in the packet we gave upon entry to the US (IR-4) that's the one where you didn't visit right?). But, am I allowed to get that packet back before we have a CoC? Ugh. We're so frustrated and upset at this point- any ideas are welcome! Thanks!

[avoel]

Maybe contact the folks at Guatadopt. My friend had a similar issue with a courthouse clerk in Georgia and I think Kelly was able to help. The "copies" we get are considered official copies and should function like originals. I think the original is on file in Guatemala just like my original birth certificate is on file in the state where I was born but I can get official copies of it when I need it.

[parrotheadmom]

Maybe I am wrong but I think you Need the CoC for Re-Adoption ???

[DPline]

Avoel is correct. The origional origionals are filed in Guatemala City. None of us have origional origionals.

You can file the G884 (to get the packet back) without a COC, but there is no guarantee as to what is in it, and they are going to be copies as well.


I wish I had a good suggestion for you beyond what Avoel suggested about trying Kelly or Kevin at Guatadopt. The only additional thing I can say is start a thread asking specifially about readoption and list 'readoption' and your state in the title. Also do a search for your state and the word readoption. Hopefully you can find someone in your state with experience who can help you.

Have you tried contacting your homestudy agency? They sometimes are helpful, sometimes not.

Parrotheadmom - For an IR4 visa, you need to readopt to establish your child's citizenship at which point you apply for the COC. With an IR4 visa the whole point of readopting is to establish citizenship and get a COC. With an IR3 visa, you can choose to readopt, but it is not required.

[melissa41]

First of all, my husband was born in NC and his BC is a copy...certified, legal copy but just a copy! So maybe ask them if they what they need on the BC to make it "official"

This is not an easy solution at all and definitely a last resort but... you could hire just about any lawyer in GC or the city where your child was born to get this done for you. Do you need a certain stamp, translation or something? The reason I ask is because we had a unique situation because we lived overseas during our adoption. We had to get an extra BC to take to the Dutch Embassy in order to satisfy the Dutch govt to establish residency for our child once back home. Our adoption agency got our lawyer to get the BC for us and the translation BUT we had to get all sorts of notorizations on it before the Dutch govt in Guatemala would officially stamp it as "legal". Our agency was of NO HELP getting this part done. We even offered to pay them extra and the lawyer too but they wouldn't ask the lawyer. Long story short, my husband hired a local guy who took him to 3 different government places in GC to have different stamps put on it and then onto the Dutch Embassy. My point in telling you this story is I think you could hire any attorney in Guatemala to get you a new "copy". With not so many adoptions these days I am guessing you could find a nice attorney who would be willing to help you out.


I am so sorry you are going through this. I can tell you dealing with the requirements of so many different countries/states/etc is exhausting! Good luck.