[hope2adopt2008]

This is my first post. I am trying to adopt from Russia and we are encountering a problem with our home study. My husband had an underage consumption arrest over 20 years ago. Should this be a problem proceeding with a Russian adoption? It does not show up on any fingerprint check but we are getting mixed feelings from agencies. Any advice would be helpful.

[votemom]

if it does not show up via your police check or your fingerprint check, i see no reason to even bring it up with an agency.

20 years ago is ancient history. if it were five years ago, that would be another story.

good luck!!

[Kasey]

I agree with votemom it shouldnt be an issue especially since it does not showup on checks.
Most sw would write about past issues and how you have learned and grown from it.

[hope2adopt2008]

The problem is that there is one small downplayed paragraph already in my home study about the arrest. One placing agency is saying it shouldn't be a problem another agency is saying that we would be taking a risk proceeding as is. It is not getting changed so what should I do? Has anyone heard of anyone RECENTLY getting denied a referral because of something like this?

[bonsaroonie]

We were in the exact situation (thanks to DH) - his happened 17 years ago. It was not a big deal from the Russian side. However, it made getting our I-171 a bit more tricky (we had to provide extra documentation from the local police department and municipal court - fun times!).

To be honest, it should have never ended up being in the home study - we were "too honest". Since it's already on yours, just find an agency that's OK with it and move on.

FYI - We have one son at home already and are awaiting a referral for our second child.

Good luck!

[beckyww]

Drinking is not a big deal over there. Known a lot of families with this time of hiccup and it hasn't been an issue.

But I am firmly with Votemom and Barsaroonie - Anything you don't "have" to mention - don't mention. You're just asking for trouble. Sort of like giving the IRS more than they ask for and opening those doors. Why do it? Remember - you're adopting a child, but you're just dating the Russian government.

Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX

[hope2adopt2008]

Thanks for your thoughts and opinions. We were probably "too honest" also! It probably should not even be in our report. We got the documentation from local courts, no record, it was exponged and he wrote his letter of remorse. We just want to fulfill our dream of becoming parents and are willing to jump through all hoops to get there!

[randloar]

Many here have heard our saga on this.........we started off in Kaz and spent almost 2 years trying to adopt there with an arrest that showed on DH's FBI record (a trespassing offense for being in a hottub where he was not a guest 18 years prior)........

Well, Kaz was proving a point and never approved or denied us........we gave up, move to Russia but for obvious reasons were VERY worried about going through the same thing.....our agency did say that one of her regions had a tougher judge and that maybe we would be best suited to avoid that region (can't remember where, sorry), but my point is, if your agency says its not a problem, ask if they have other families that got through and if you could talk with them (same region ideally)..........that may put your mind at ease a notch

We are home now for 1.5 years and the topic never came up once (and his arrest was on his FBI record and in our homestudy as well)......So, technically, yes, anything could be a problem, but we have to hope for the best in these situations as well!

OH, I forgot, we also had a 'blip' on our local police record...........our dog got out and we had to go to court for it since he got out twice.........so our local clearance showed we had an arrest!!!! Non-felony, but showed an arrest!!! They would not change the wording no matter how I begged..........but that wasn't an issue either..... Point being, we had many things that could have stopped us, but we made it!!!

[verukasalt]

I had an underage drinking thing when I was 18. The charges were dropped (it was actually absurd but I won't get into that here). However, since I was technically arrested and fingerprinted, I did put the info on all my documentation. I figured if it did show up at least I told the truth. The info didn't show up anywhere in my background checks. However, it was part of my home study and I put it on all docs. No issue whatsoever and I was never asked about it in Russia. I really don't think that's one to worry about.