[frankiegirl]

Wow…. it seems like forever since I have been on the board. I have two questions.

My first is…I have heard that if we keep our child’s Guatemala passport active that they will have duel citizenship. Is that the case and what do I need to do in order to do that? Do we have to go back to GC?

Second question…I just realized that I never sent in for my daughters new CoC after her re-adoption here in the states. Is it too late and how do I do it?
Thanks for all your help!
Hope everyone is doing great and we are getting those last babies homes.

[DPline]

I don't remember the details of maintaining your child's Guatemalan citizenship, but I know that Devora has posted details about it several times. If she doesn't see this, you can do a search with her name and 'duel citizenship.'

As far as your second question, did your child come home on an IR3 or an IR4 visa? Do you have a COC now, and need to get a new one after a name change, or does she have a green card and now you need to get a COC?

If you are getting a new COC after a name change, it is USCIS form N565. If you are getting a first time COC it is USCIS form N600. Both can be found on the USCIS site. If you have questions, let me know.

[frankiegirl]

Thank you! I will check for her post. We have a CoC we just need an new one because of a name change.

[DPline]

USCIS form N565 then. That one isn't too bad, but let me know if you have questions about the form.

[melissa41]

We just did our name change and sent our form to TX and it only took about 2 months to receive. The state you live in determines the center you mail your form to and directions are on form which is fairly easy compared to some. There was a concern a few months back about how to sign it. One person got her form back because it was done incorrectly even though there are NO directions on how to sign it if applying as a minor. There is a thread on that as well and if I remember correctly, I signed my name and wrote in print (mother). Try searching "n565" form or "signature"

[robandjulie]

Yep, I was the one that got my forms returned. I ended up submitting 4 copies of the last page with various signature configurations and one of them got accepted--not sure which one!

What did NOT work was putting and "X" for the applicant's signature (my 2 year old son) and then signing my information in the "if someone else filled this out have them sign here."

What I did (all of which I heard worked for at least one person but perhaps not another):

1. Let DS scribble in the applicant, I signed as the form preparer

2. Signed my name as applicant with "(mother)", left preparer blank

3. Signed applicant area as "SONS NAME by MY NAME (Mother)"; signed my name in preparer

4. My name in both applicant and preparer.

[lzriggles]

Just chiming in on the "maintaining Guatemalan citizenship" question. You don't need to return to Guatemala. Just contact the nearest Guatemala Embassy or Consulate in your area and you should be able to go there for a new passport, etc.

Best wishes!

[Devora]

I have spoken twice with the Guatemalan consulate's office about this -- once with the consulate's office in Chicago and another time with the consulate's office in New York City. Both times I was told very clearly that our children retain their Guatemalan citizenship. It doesn't matter that the US does not recognize dual citizenship -- Guatemala does. In the eyes of Guatemala, our children are citizens of Guatemala for life. This is true whether or not you keep their Guatemalan passport current. However, keeping their passport current makes it easier for them because renewing a passport is easier than getting a new one after the original one has expired.

To maintain proof of that citizenship you simply need to keep your child's Guatemalan passport current. As children their Guatemalan passports are good for 5 years. This is what I was told last year when I inquired:

* Go to a Guatemalan consulate's office BEFORE the passport expires.
* If there are two parents they both need to appear with the child.
* Bring the original Guatemalan passport, two copies of it, and the copy of the Guatemalan birth certificate that lists you as the parent(s)
* Bring the parent(s) US passports and 2 photocopies of them.
* Bring a $65 money order or cashier's check (no personal checks).

Their Guatemalan passport will continue to be in their Guatemalan name. The only way to change it to their US name (if you did a name change) is if there is a court order from Guatemala changing the name.

Of course, this could change at any time. I would advise anyone who wants to maintain their child's Guatemalan passport to call 6 months before it's due to expire and find out what you need to do. Also, if you don't live near a consulate's office you will have to ask if it must be done in person. My guess is that it does so you may need to arrange for a quick trip to the closest consulate's office.