[misshawna]

Thanks for the link. I appreciate the help.

[cborsa7]

Debbie,

Thanks for the link. This was actually something we looked into awhile back here in Missouri if you recall. I remember thinking the same thing, especially after what we went through with Social Security.

It's interesting only adoption related attorney's suggest this when checking into this (for quite a fee). In fact in Missouri for instance, I don't even have an adoption decree anymore because the state holds it. No one would know my son is adopted unless I told them. I have a BC that states we are the parents and states he was born in Guatemala, to us. I also have COC to prove he is a citizen for his foreign birth. They are the only 2 documents I now need. Social security already recognizes him with his own number (only needed his name matching BC & COC)
And for US passport (only needed the name matching BC & COC).

When we called several attorney's in our area they couldn't give us a reason for anything else accept to have another adoption decree that was a US document should we ever want to have a strictly English version. Of course I can get vital records to issue a certified copy of my Guatemala document they now hold (with English translation) should I need it for something. I also wonder if maybe this info out there isn't a bit out dated at 2005. Some of the other's I've seen were pretty out dated as well.
I think the only real item to be concerned with is the name matching COC that so many seem to think they don't need. This article is a good example for why you need that. Once that is in place it's really all that's needed.

[DPline]

I think the big thing is that readoption is different with each state.

Some you have to readopt to get a BC and some you don't. Some, like yours, hold the origional documents and issue new ones, some don't. In some states you can readopt quickly, easily, and inexpensively and in others you need an attorney, post-placement visits, etc. and it becomes very expensive. And then there is my state which has no provision for readoption at all. And the list goes on.

And even the BC's that are issued (with or without readoption) vary. My kids' are a Delayed Registration of Foreign Birth and I honestly don't know if it looks the same as it would if I had given birth to them in a foreign country or not. But I know I have heard of at least one state where you can decide whether to show they were born in a foreign country or not.

I don't necessarily think it is outdated, it just may or may not be applicable to your (in a general, anyone sort of way, not you personally) situation. And you personally know all too well how even when you are right and the govt. agency or whoever is wrong, there not not a whole heck of a lot you can do about it. I think the particular issues you had even make me more inclined to cover every possible, potential issue I could face down the road. (I said I was a worry wart! )

I think it is all in looking at what your options are in your state and then doing what you feel is best for your family. If it was possible for me to readopt and was not prohibitively expensive, I personally would do it. But that is just speaking for myself. Beyond that, I am just putting out there reasons that I have seen presented for readopting so others can make their own decision.

[amyfk]

Hi,

I am working on this now. I live in NJ and I was on the fence about it. At first I was leaning against doing it as in my homestate you can get a state-issued birth certificate without having to do a readoption.
After reading other posts and talking to other folks, I have decided to move ahead with the readoption.
I dont know 100% if anything can happen, but I dont want anything to go wrong or lapse for my kid.
The lady in my county who handles the readoptions told me that she knew of a young man adopted overseas(not from Russia) who was called to serve in the armed forces in his native birth country as he didnt have a readoption. She told me she doesnt know the outcome but the family was mighty scared!
I am doing the work on my own. I am not using an atty. I have been looking for some work in my field with no luck. If you are organized and highly motivated you can do it yourself. A good word processing program will do. The county surrogate at my county explained to me all I needed to know. I can also call her and have her go over completion of forms with me.
I wish you the best
Amy K, NJ

[mcanvasback]

In my mind, there is no reason to do a readoption if you can get the BC which you can in my state (MD.) There would be no inheritance issue in my family (in fact they might leave everything to my daughter but there is even a way around that if it is a concern.

The consensus that I have found, is it is not necessary, again, as long as you can get that BC without it.

[cborsa7]

The lady in my county who handles the readoptions told me that she knew of a young man adopted overseas(not from Russia) who was called to serve in the armed forces in his native birth country as he didnt have a readoption. She told me she doesnt know the outcome but the family was mighty scared!

This can only happen one way. You are REQUIRED in NJ to readopt or you have no name matching COC. Once you have your COC you are a citizen here, it doesn't change.


Debbie:
Like you, I worry to much! lol

[misshawna]

As I said before, I already have his COC with his English name, his Social Security card with his English name... All I am wanting his is BC from US. It will show he was born overseas, and I am fine with that. It will show us as parents. I can get this without readoption. So, as I said, I am leaning to not doing it because of cost and difficulty finding someone who specializes in it in our county.

As far as getting called to the service overseas, I was told if he renounces his Russian citizenship when he turns 18 (b/c they have dual citizenship), then this can't happen. I am not saying the other situation didn't happen, I am just not sure what other things might or might not have been done.

I am glad I started this thread though, because it is good to get other opinions.

Thanks again!

[mycodybear]

I have the exact same problem as you- we lived in Florida at the time of the adoption and have since moved to North Carolina. NC will issue a certificate of foreign birth without readoption, but they won't do it in my case because we were living in FL at the time of the adoption. I haven't even thought of calling FL's vital records to see if they could issue a certificate of foreign birth- definitely something worth checking into. However, I believe that if I readopt in NC, I will receive a NC adoption decree and then I can get a NC certificate of foreign birth. So, that is what we are in the process of doing. NC is an easy state to readopt- it's only a $60 filing fee and some easy forms to fill out. We have submitted everything and now we're waiting for everything to be processed. I'm hoping we're able to get the BC after all of this, because like you- that's the entire reason I'm doing it. I'm scared to death of losing the Russian one and all I want is a US issued BC. But they certainly don't make it easy for you.

Good luck- sometimes this stuff can be such a pain!

[cborsa7]

'm hoping we're able to get the BC after all of this, because like you- that's the entire reason I'm doing it. I'm scared to death of losing the Russian one and all I want is a US issued BC. But they certainly don't make it easy for you.

Congrats! You should have no trouble getting a BC in that state after you re adopt.

[TweetyMom04]

Every state is different with their laws.

Why Re-Adoption and what does it do for our Children/us?

If the child enters the U.S. with an IR3 Visa means the parents saw and met with the children before adoption in a foreign court. IR4, means the parents did not see the child or meet with prior. Re-adoption is not necessary, but is advisable for the following reasons:

1 - Security. A final decree of adoption entered pursuant to (out of state) law many not be judicially challenged by any person for any reason six months after the decree is entered. This means that even if the adoption proceeding in the foreign country was flawed, the adoption proceeding in (our state) cannot be challenged. Consider it "adoption insurance."

2 - Accessible and Consistent Records. The adoption process in (our state) effects a legal name change for the adopted child. The child will be issued a (our state) birth certificate and a (our state) adoption certificate. Both are easily replaceable in the event that vital records are lost or destroyed.

3 - Relocation. Although Re-Adoption is not always required in (our state), some states do not recognize foreign adoption decrees. In the event that an adoptive family moves to one of these states, the children's status as a family member and legal heir may not be recognized. However, an adoption decree entered in (our state) is afforded 'full faith and credit' in all of the fifty states.


Additionally:
-When we moved overseas, we had to show their Birth Cert to obtain a VISA.
-When the VISA's had to be renewed, again proof, via Birth Cert.
-We had to show a Birth Certificate and US Passport when we registered them for school in the UK.
-When we moved back, we had to show either a Birth Certificate or US Passport for school registration here in our state. I brought both, just in case.
-Clarification in our Will, Heirs to, Less paperwork for Guardians/Family, etc.
-Didn't want to rely on 1 (one) copy from Russia that over the years could become lost or ripped and then not accepted someplace b/c not in 'mint' condition.

Good Luck

[cborsa7]

TweetyMom04,

All very good reasons but should be noted you do not need a re adoption or recognition for any of them if you are an IR-3.

The only difference would be a state adoption decree. The adoption decree isn't used once the child has a US BC and a COC, (Missouri actually keeps adoption decrees). All states will recognize both a BC and a COC once issued.

Also, in some states as in Missouri, there are counties where you cannot even do a re adopt or recognition if you are an IR-3, because there is no need for it.