[Momonthefarm]

Our beautiful little girls have been home a little over 6 months now and we are still in awe and humbled beyond words at the blessings they have brought to our lives. There have certainly been challenging days and there will be more but the worst fades away when those dark little eyes smile and call out for Mama and Daddy for hugs and kisses. Not to mention when they curl up with their big brothers and watch TV or play a rousing game of catch! Not sure whom is more in love with whom the brothers or the sisters!!

We have completed all of our post placement visits and had our re adoption/finalization in court and received their new Iowa birth certificates but now I am wondering about filing for citizenship. Is there somewhere I can go to find out what steps we need to complete? Or can someone give me the steps? Thanks! Renee

[guatemama94]

Hi there!!!

Congratulations on having them home for 6 months! I remember us talking about some of your difficulties during the process; isn't it great that that is a distant memory now??? By the way, my friend is just waiting on pink now!! She already has the BC and passport!! YAY!

You asked about the COCs...your girls came home on an IR-3 visa right? I'm pretty sure that they did....that means that you and your husband were able to visit them at least once prior to finalization. Well, the best thing I can suggest is to do a search on this forum about Certificates of Citizenship or COCs. Basically as long as they cam home on IR-3 visas your girls are automatic citizens...but it is (in this day and age) nice to have the document that says so.

One of the moderators on here is a wealth of knowledge on COCs. I am totally forgeting her name right now. She is the new one. I'll try and remember! PM me if you need more help!

Nice to have an update! Take care!!

[DFNY]

Congratulations on having your daughters home for 6 months (my DD arrived 7 months ago on Monday--7/20/09). Boy, you are efficient indeed. I haven't done anything on the readoption b/c I can't decide on whether we should or will change her name.

RE: the COC
If you arrived on an IR-3 visa (check their Guatemalan passports, look at the visa in there), you should have received their COCs within 45 days of arriving, since they became citizens upon landing in the US. If what you're saying is that you need new COCs b/c you may have changed the girls' names and want new COCs with their new names, then it will cost you $400 or so per new COC. Please provide more details and I or someone else will be able to help you.

In the meantime, I sent you a PM with info on the Child Citizenship Act that will provide info on the COC.

Good luck and, again, congratulations!

Damaris