[sasriniva]

Hi,

We adopted two kids from India. They were with us in India from April 24, 2006 under a foster care agreement. On August 11th, we returned home to Texas.

We were told we had to wait 6 months from the date of their arrival in Texas to finalize the adoption. They arrived on a IR-4 visa and they have their green card.

Is the six month timeframe accurate? Can we finalize the adoption immediately? Any info would be appreciated?

[wynnekj9967]

We just brought our little boy home about four weeks ago and have contacted an attorney here in Fort Worth and have started the paper work. We also brought him home on an I-R4. They said once all of our papers are in we should be in court for the final hearing within 1.5 to 2 months. Hope this helps.

[Max'smom]

HI,

We also adopted under a foster care agreement. We had to wait 6 months for our agency to carry out 3 post-placement reports and visits. Only then would our agency issue the authorization for us to start formal US adoption.

I don't know if this was an agency or a country specific rule, but everyone in our case has to wait 6 months.

MM

[krendi]

We're looking to bring a child here from mexico on an IR-4 visa. Did your agency handle everything? I am having a HARD time trying to find an attorney! We're in Austin. We can't figure out how to get a foster care agreement issued. We are told the US consulate in Mexico will not issue an IR-4. Any advice or help? Thank you!! K

[sak9645]

Krendi:

First off, you have to understand that most countries require you to finalize adoptions THERE; only a few let you bring a child home under a decree of guardianship and finalize in the U.S.

The Mexican government does not allow you to bring a child home under a decree of guardianship and adopt in the U.S. You must finalize your adoption in Mexico. That is why the U.S. Embassy won't issue the child a visa, and why you can't arrange a foster care agreement.

Sharon

[bsm]

I am looking for a referal to an Attorney that has experience with completing Readoptions in Texas for a child on an IR-4 Visa - preferably someone that you have used successfully for an IR-4 Readoption in Texas.

I have searched the forums and found several people who have posted that they have used attorneys. I have emailed/PM'd them but have not heard back. Thought I'd post in one of the relevant threads to see if someone can help with a referal.

Thanks!

[sak9645]

Sasriniva

Each state has its own readoption process. In some cases, readoption is handled much the same as an adoption. In such states, parents will need a homestudy update, new police and child abuse clearances, post-placement visits, and so on. In such states, readoption can take 6 months to a year, since you cannot even apply until you've had all of your post-placement visits, which normally must be scheduled at intervals like one month, three months, and six months.

In other states, the process is much simpler, or there is an option for doing a "recognition", which is an administrative process, rather than a judicial one. Both readoption and recognition will satisfy USCIS requirements and entitle your children to U.S. citizenship. Your best bet is to call your homestudy agency, which should know the options you have. It may also be able to recommend an attorney, if one is required or suggested strongly in your state; many states allow "pro se" readoptions (by oneself, without a lawyer).

Another good place to find a competent adoption attorney to handle your readoption is on the website of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. This is the leading membership association of adoption attorneys, and has certain professional requirements in order to ensure that members are reputable. The website lists attorneys by state, and gives all contact information.

Sharon

[sak9645]

Krendi:

To add to what I wrote above, be aware that Mexico has ratified the Hague Convention on international adoption, as has the U.S. Under both U.S. and Mexican law, you cannot adopt a child from Mexico without following Hague regulations as well as Mexican and U.S. regulations. Since Mexico requires in-country finalization, there is NO way that the U.S. will permit a visa to be issued before that finalization occurs.

Sharon

[bsm]

Originally Posted by sak9645

Sasriniva

Each state has its own readoption process. In some cases, readoption is handled much the same as an adoption. In such states, parents will need a homestudy update, new police and child abuse clearances, post-placement visits, and so on. In such states, readoption can take 6 months to a year, since you cannot even apply until you've had all of your post-placement visits, which normally must be scheduled at intervals like one month, three months, and six months.

In other states, the process is much simpler, or there is an option for doing a "recognition", which is an administrative process, rather than a judicial one. Both readoption and recognition will satisfy USCIS requirements and entitle your children to U.S. citizenship. Your best bet is to call your homestudy agency, which should know the options you have. It may also be able to recommend an attorney, if one is required or suggested strongly in your state; many states allow "pro se" readoptions (by oneself, without a lawyer).

Another good place to find a competent adoption attorney to handle your readoption is on the website of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. This is the leading membership association of adoption attorneys, and has certain professional requirements in order to ensure that members are reputable. The website lists attorneys by state, and gives all contact information.

Sharon

Sharon,

Thank you for the quick response. I will check out the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Website for a TX based attorney who can help with my TX Readoption.

Thanks!

[D_Derby]

We readopted our daughter who came in on an IR-4 Visa about 4 years ago. We used Susan Paquet, Adoption Attorney. PM me for information. I still need to file for COC

Mom to A (adopted from Moldova 2000)