[maryanddon]

Since we live in WI , we were told if we dont go to visit, there will be more paperwork at the end ,which would keep our baby girl, down there longer . In view of everything going on , and we seem to be stuck in PGN, we are going down onAPRIL 4th. The travel agency could barely get us a flight! It seems everyone is going there for all the festivities for Easter, but it starts in the begining of April, We too were told to stay at the hotel, what should we bring as far as baby needs? I heard they wont let us have her over night, we are only going for the weekend so I dont want to overpack, any suggestions ? Mary

[crathke]

Does WI require re-adoption once your child comes home?

Minnesota does, and I think that may be the effect on the paperwork your agency is referring to. If you need to re-adopt in your home state, and you don't physically see your child prior to the adoption being final in Guatemala, it affects the type of visa your child will have upon entering the US. But I don't see how that impacts the length of time your little girl remains in Guatemala.

What I've seen in our case is that we still have to jump through a few hoops (which are nothing compared to the pre-adoptive hoops!) before our son is a US citizen. We'll also have a court date to finalize everything. I may be naive about the process, but I didn't think it sounded like that big a deal. He's home and he's ours and the rest is details, in my mind. Important details, but details nonetheless.

[maryanddon]

courtney, If we dont see her then when they normaly would call us to pick her up, we would have to wait, they said then we would have to fill out paperwork here instead of there , then it would go to INS then to Madison the state dept. then be translated sent to GUatemala, and then Guatemala would cable back to WI . then we could pick her up. Im not sure what forms they are exactly talking about its rather confusing. When we get her home, if we want her to have a US birth certificate and S.S.# number we have to go to our county court house. We are required to have 2 post-adoption visits from the socialworker who did our home study,then we can go to court for these things and also then we can change her first and middle name, since she will come home with only our last name. Mary

[Alex's mom]

We are also from MN and did not visit Alex before we went to pick him up. We had to re-adopt (I think you have to readopt no matter which visa you have, don't you?) here in MN but it really wasn't a big deal. Our only problem was that we live in a rural county and they really hadn't dealt with many intnt'l adoptions before. I am pretty sure you still have to have your post placement visits etc, even if you go visit first. I think that is state law. With Ayana, I am going to visit, but my dh can't so we still will get the same visa we got with Alex (apparently both parents have to see the child). I really don't think it should take any longer no matter if you visit or not. Just my thought--Amy

[Leezamarie]

I live in Wisconsin, too, and we are in FC waiting for our baby girl to come home. I never heard anything like that before. Is your homestudy agency telling you this or the adoption agency?

I do know that if we do not see her prior to the adoption the she will come home on a different visa. But, since we do have to do the readoption process in WI, the type of visa doesn't really matter - just more paperwork! So what else is new?!

I know of others who have adopted from WI and hadn't visited prior to the final adoption - it didn't make their wait any longer. Just curious what this exactly means? Thanks!

[maryanddon]

LeezaMarie, It is the adoption Agency thats telling me there is a difference, Im thinking that it is somehow related to the type of visa, My husband was just going to go down, and they said we both had to go for it to make a difference. I think you must do different paperwork if you do not see the baby prior to the finalization. And it must be done in WI, the time difference must be that if you did the paperwork there everything would be finished, this way it has to be translatedand sent down to Guatemala, the agency said you do not know how long all the transfering of documents would take, it depends on how fast everone does what they need to do, so it could take 1week or 3weeks. Does this sort of make sense ? Mary

[tootsi20023]

Hi Mary!

We are also going down, but on the 3rd of April. We are staying at the Marriott, where are you staying...we might just see you!!! We have been told by our adoption agency to take diaper rash cream and onsies (they are hard to come by in Guat.) We are also taking lots of cute clothes for our dd. The clothes I saw her in through pictures were pitiful and too big on her. I am taking a few diapers, powder, wipes, lotion...etc. I've heard sometimes the fm doesn't bring much to the hotel and if you are going to be there for a few days the supplies the fm brings may not last. I'm just being extra cautious. I don't want to have to run to the market to buy these things since American's are not well liked at the current time and also we've been told "do not leave the hotel." I guess there have been problems with the police questioning parents, attorney’s, and the fm. I am so excited, yet nervous because of all the "talk" with traveling.

Hope to see ya!

Michelle

[tootsi20023]

Oh yeah, forgot to ask...why can't you have her overnight? That stinks!!!!!

[Jashun]

Dear Mary,

The state of Wisconsin has different laws regarding adoption (especially compared to MN adoptions!) In WI, you need a Foreign Adoption Bond. and original documents will need to be sent to DHFS in WI before you travel (unless you and your spouse visit during the process).

It is a bit complex and I can personally recommend a wonderful WI homestudy agency that could explain these laws to you if your homestudy agency is unable to help you.

Sincerely,
Sara Shore

[maryanddon]

to Michelle; Unfortunately we arent at the Marriott, we are staying at the Westin Camino Real, I was told both Hotels are great, It was hard getting a hotel because of all the festivites , I dont know why they dont let you keep the baby over night, I amgoing to ask thought. I thought maybe they think it would be hard on the baby. To Sarah, I think you know what I have been trying to say , about WI adoptions and visiting . Is there a easier way to explain it to everyone else? Michelle, where are you flying from? Mary

[Bassette]

I am in kentucky, so this may not apply to you but I was told, and have read consistently that if both parents (or single, in signle adoption) visit the child and see him/her prior to PGN, and then travel to pick him/her up (two visits) then your adoption is finalized at the US embassy in Guat. There are two different types of visas, a level 3 and level 4. Can't remember which is which but one means you saw the child during the adoption proceeding(s), accepted his/her referal physically, traveled to pick him/her up and the adoption is final. In this case, there is no need to re-adopt. However, you will need to register the adoption within your state. A simple and inexpensive task.

The other level visa means that you did not see the child eye to eye, but rather accepted them on paper. Even if you travel to pick them up, you will be given a visa that necessitates the child being adopted, or readopted in the US.

Basically, one means they are already a US citizen, and one means they are not a citizen (yet).

Sometimes I boggle my words and don't explain myself thoroughly so I hope I haven't confused anyone. I do not have all my paperwork handy or I would clarify the visa names.

[tootsi20023]

Hi Mary,

We are flying out of Denver, then Houston, and finally Guat. City. We won't arrive in Guat. until 10pm. The following morning our attorney is bringing our dd to our hotel and we get to keep her for the duration of our visit (until the 7th.) Have fun and take lots of pictures!!!!!! And post them when you return, I'll do the same.

Praying for a safe trip!!


Michelle

[becky]

A couple of suggestions for those traveling to visit. When Bella was brought to my hotel room she came with one bottle (the gerber with the brown nipple) a can of formula and the clothes on her back.
So...I would suggest bringing the following:
1. Diapers, wipes, blankets, clothes, lots of bottles.
2. An umbrella stroller or a Snugli. Personally, I liked the stroller, as I could sit her down in something when we went down to dinner. Also, we took lots of walks in the hallways of the hotel!!
3. I brought toys, disposable cameras for the FM to use, and a bouncy seat that played music (let the FM keep these things).
4. Infant tylenol, a small baby first aid kit with nail clippers, nasal syringe, etc., pacifiers!!

I know it sounds like a lot, but it all fit in one extra suitcase, and I left everything with the FM. I just put the empty suitcase inside my other one when I traveled home.

As for the Visa requirements...it sounds like WI has some pretty strict adoption laws!! Each state varies.

What you need to know is if you both visit you get an IR3 Visa and your child is a citizen upon stepping on US soil (although you must apply for a Certificate of Citizenship to prove that!!).
If you do not both visit your child has an IR4 Visa and readoption is required to become a US citizen.

One thing to remember...even if you have an IR3 Visa, you may want to speak to an experienced attorney about readoption anyway. There are issues with state laws that may make a difference to your child, especially inheritance laws that may mean you will want to readopt even if you have an IR 3 Visa.

To everyone traveling...have a great time!!!

Becky

[maryanddon]

Thanks Becky! I wrote down everything! our little girl Maggie, is 4 1/2 months old, do you think there is any thing else I should bring? Mary

[becky]

You might want to bring salt water nose drops. It sounds crazy, but if your little one has a stuffy nose, those plus the nasal syringe should do the trick. Most agencies recommend not turning on the air conditioning while you are in the hotel room with the baby, as they are not used to it...but you can't do anything about the AC in the rest of the hotel. My little one had a stuffy nose from the 2nd day on.

I'd also bring a small bottle of dish soap and a baby bottle brush. I know in many hotels they will wash bottles for you...but I just found it easier to do it with hot water in my room.

I guess that's it for now. 4.5 months is about the PERFECT age for a baby. They are happy, smiling, and so cute. Enjoy your visit!!

Becky