[mcmom]

It has been a LONG while since I have checked out this forum but when I realized I needed advice, I knew this was the place to turn!

My husband and I adopted our youngest two kids from Guatemala. I was so relieved and "over-it" when we finished that I know I didn't finish up a couple of things that I now wish I had

#1 - I think I remember that there was a way to receive some of the info contained in the packet we gave to immigration on our way back into the states. Could anyone tell me how I would go about getting that back.

#2 - We visited our son before picking up but not our daughter so they came home on different types of visas. I think because of this, there is an additional process we need to complete for her to have all of the rights of a full citizen of the U.S. Can't remember what this is or what it entails.

I am embarassed to even post this because I know I should have completed this some time ago. BUT sucking it up and doing it anyway.

BTW ... On a different note, thought some of you may be interested to know that we are returning to Guatemala with our entire family on June 3rd. We will be working at a children's home as missionaries and plan on spending at least 4 years in the country. We'll spend 6 months in language training and then will be coordinating short term missions trips as well as helping with some of the business aspect of the home. So excited about this opportunity for us and our kids.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[Amber76]

I don't have any info for you since we weren't able to complete our adoption from Guatemala, but I wanted to say I think it is awesome that you will be going on a mission there!

[DPline]

Originally Posted by mcmom

#1 - I think I remember that there was a way to receive some of the info contained in the packet we gave to immigration on our way back into the states. Could anyone tell me how I would go about getting that back

You need to file USCIS form G884 to get back the packet you turned into Immigration. You can find the form on the USCIS website. With it you need to include two forms of ID for you child (typically a copy of their passport and green card or COC) and a copy of their BC showing you as the parent. Some people are asked for ID for themselves, so I would suggest including a copy of your DL and passport as well.

Originally Posted by mcmom

#2 - We visited our son before picking up but not our daughter so they came home on different types of visas. I think because of this, there is an additional process we need to complete for her to have all of the rights of a full citizen of the U.S. Can't remember what this is or what it entails.

It sounds like your son came home on an IR3 visa and should have received a COC automatically in the mail about 6 weeks after coming home. I assume you have that?

If your daughter came home on an IR4 visa, you need to readopt her in your home state to establish her as a US citizen. What the process is and how complicated it is (and how much it costs!) varies by state. If you post where you live, someone may be able to give you more specifics regarding your state. You also might call your county court and see if they can help you.

It is the process of readopting that actually makes her a US citizen, but after you have completed the readoption, you need to file USCIS form N600 to get her a COC.

Hope that helps!

[DeeVee]

Hi Jodi! Great to see you on this board. Sounds like you are busy

Debbie gave you all the right information (she is the paperwork expert!), but you may want to make sure you complete your daughter's readoption (or recognition of foreign adopotion, depending on the laws in your state) before going on mission. Your daughter can't get her CoC or a US passport until that is completed (I'm assuming she came home on an IR4 visa).

Blessings to you and your family!

[DPline]

Originally Posted by DeeVee

Hi Jodi! Great to see you on this board. Sounds like you are busy

Debbie gave you all the right information (she is the paperwork expert!), but you may want to make sure you complete your daughter's readoption (or recognition of foreign adopotion, depending on the laws in your state) before going on mission. Your daughter can't get her CoC or a US passport until that is completed (I'm assuming she came home on an IR4 visa).

Blessings to you and your family!

Excellent point DeeVee! I wasn't even thinking beyond her origional question! The readoption will definetly need to be complete to get a passport. Good catch!

[mcmom]

Hey thanks for your help. Knew I would get the info I needed on here. We completed our daughter's readoption 7 months or so after we brought her home and have her U.S. passport. I guess it is the COC I was thinking we should get. But I thought it was "optional", is that correct?
We did get the COC for our son before we even completed his readoption. Probably because he came home on a different type of Visa.

Thanks again for the info. Really appreciate it!

Jodi

[DPline]

Yes, if your son came home on an IR3 he would have received a COC automatically as he became a citizen upon landing in the US.

If you have completed your daughter's readoption than she is a US citizen now.

No, you are not required to get a COC, but personally I feel that especially in this post-9/11 society and continuously increasing US security measures, I want my children's full and correct legal names on file with USCIS as citizens and want that certificate to prove it without a shadow of a doubt.

They may never need it (though it is my understanding that for things like joining the military, government jobs that require security clearance, some college scholarships, things like that, it may be necessary and if they want to adopt internationally one day, they will need it to prove their citizenship) I want it 'just in case.' A passport can show citizenship, but it expires and is issued by the State Department, not USCIS/Homeland Security. The new birth certificate that is issued by your state will most likely still say the child was born in Guatemala, and does not prove citizenship.

Yes, you could present an adoption decree, readoption papers, court ordered name change papers, whatever. But I am sure we have all experienced at one time or another, someone in a position of authority who would not accept these papers even if they were totally valid. (For example all the problems people have with Social Security offices.) Personally I feel better having the COC even if they are never in a position to need it.

Off my soapbox now!