[wannabamom]

Hi All,
I wanted to know what happens after the Re-adoption Finalization in the US (Specifically in NJ ). How long does it take to get the New Birth Certificate (Should we apply for it separately ), and what about US citizenship, Passport, etc---- How long does it take ????????

Thanks,

[sak9645]

When I readopted in DC, my attorney had the court send a copy of the paperwork directly to Vital Records. Vital Records then sent me a form to fill out, and once I sent it back, the birth certificate came in a matter of a week or so. If your attorney does not do it for you, just call Vital Records once you have copies of the readoption decree and see what you have to do. Usually, you just need to fill out a form and send it in with various documents such as the readoption decree and the foreign birth certificate.

Remember, if your child's American name is not found on your overseas paperwork, you should remind your attorney to ask the judge to include a name change order in the readoption decree. It's just a sentence that says something like: "The child formerly known as Zeng Chufang will now be known as Rebecca Joy Chufang K......" If you do not do so, all of your child's official paperwork -- birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, passport, etc. -- will have to be in the foreign name.

With an IR-4 child, readoption or state "recognition" is required before you can obtain a certificate of citizenship or a U.S. passport. Once you have the readoption decree, you can apply for both.

The passport arrives the quickest; depending on the office, it could come in a couple of weeks. However, many parents hate applying for a passport for an internationally adopted child because they have to submit original documents, such as the foreign passport. They fear that the Passport Office will lose the documents.

In fact, the Passport Office tends to be pretty reliable. For added protection, tell the passport acceptance facility (post office, courthouse, municipal building, library, etc.) to use Express Mail both to send the documents to the Passport Office and to have the Passport Office return your original documents along with your child's new passport. You'll pay extra fees, but many parents like the idea that the envelope is big and "visible", and that it can be tracked.

Obtaining a certificate of citizenship takes longer, but isn't as difficult. For a while, some families reported waiting a year or more for their certificate. However, things seem to have improved a good bit, though I don't have good statistics. The good news is that you can and should send legible photocopies of all requested documents. Never send originals. The USCIS reserves the right to ask to inspect original documents at your citizenship interview.

Sharon

[waitinginnj]

I reaadopted in NJ. My attorney submitted the paperwork, but it takes up to 9 months to actually receive the birth certificate. This was in 2004. Maybe the process got quicker, but I haven't heard any news to that effect. I think only one person processes the adoption paperwork.

I don't remember when I got the actual adoption paperwork, wheter it was the same day or forwarded to me later. But, that I know I had quickly.

What county are you in? If Ocean County, the judge is wonderful. He makes it really special.