[momofMikhail]

I filed the G-884 request for documents and just recieved the packet in the mail today. I have to say I'm a little disappointed. The only documents I recieved was a copy of the medical done in Moscow and a copy of the adoption degree.

I wasn't really expecting pictures or more medical information (hoping but not expecting). But I thought we would at least get the birth certificate and maybe some other things. The packet we handed to customs was really thick, diffently not two pages. I know there are some information that we probably are not able to have, but I guess I just expected a little more then what we recieved.

Has anyone else only recieved a couple pages when they filed for this information? I have a phone number to call the agent that mailed our information, but I'm not sure if I should bother her, or what to ask.

[calikismet]

Hi -- I'm not totally sure why the G-884 has become the form of choice for internationally-adopted kiddos, b/c the purpose of the form is to retrieve originals that are in the file... in other words, if someone submitted an original birth certificate and they want it back, the G-884 is used to retrieve those originals (USCIS will make a copy and add that to the file instead).

I have always felt that the FOIA request makes MUCH more sense. That is form G-639, and asks the US govt to provide a copy of the applicant's file. The copies used to be returned in hard-copy format, but the govt recently moved to a disk with all docs scanned as a PDF.

If you request a FOIA, you will get a copy of that thick pile of paperwork. I am not surprised that the G-884 did not produce much. Again, I have seen the G-884 thrown around in many of these posts, and have always questioned why... but then again, I work "in the industry" (as an immigration attorney), so I know what is behind each form/ request.

The downside of FOIAs is that they take about 12-18 months... but they will provide you with a wealth of info and docs.

[cborsa7]

calikismet- I Totally disagree with you.


Everyone's G-884 will be different and it is a definite "must do" because the contents can be valuable to your children. You never know what will be in either file (G884-G639) until you receive it. We were a Guatemala adoption and our file had much more than you received,(pics, original BC, Birth Mother info, Medicals,etc) however, there have been families from Guatemala who had very little in this file, and a ton in the G-639. You were right in filing the G-884 first and now should file the G-639 also, which will return any additional documents in your file, there has been no charge for this form as well.
If you need the directions, (this form is confusing), you can email me at: cborsa7@yahoo.com and I can forward them to you. The form does take forever to get back, almost a year, and usually comes on disc.
Best to you!!

[calikismet]

Originally Posted by cborsa7

You were right in filing the G-884 first and now should file the G-639 also, which will return any additional documents in your file, there has been no charge for this form as well.

cborsa -- from a purely "logical" standpoint, the G-884 should not produce what it does produce in some cases, as that is not the underlying purpose of the form. But I agree with you here: there is absolutely no harm in filing boh forms, as neither costs any money, so get as much sa you can, in whatever way possible? I have heard several cases in which the G-884 did not produce any significant information, and yours is one of those that did the opposite.

So your advice is very sound: file both and see what comes in each return. The G-884 will prob focus more on the things you metion such as official documents, photos, etc. The G-639 will focus more on the immigration-related documents, such as the I-600A/ I-600, cables, I-551 creation of legal residency documents, etc. So what is returned with each one will depend on the case.

[kretzklan]

In 4+ years on this forum and in the 'adoption world' - I've never heard of G639. I just printed the two copies I'll need and will do this next. I did get the 884 and it basically had a second set of originals for everything I had gotten before. Never hurts to have that...but nothing else too interesting. One hospital report that we didn't know for sure about.

[N.Gwinn]

OK, I am a bit confused. Our agency never told us that we needed either of these forms, but you are talking as though they are important. What are they? Do we need them for legal reasons, or for the information to provide our son with as he starts wanting to know about his birth circumstances?

[cborsa7]

Also, I would not think that a Russian adoption or many other countries are going to produce the same documents as a Guatemalan adoption would. I think due to the nature of the adoptions there will be much more information available with a Guatemalan adoption as far as pictures and Birth family info and any other original information needed to complete the process. I think that may be what calikismet is referring to. It is not typical procedure to have those items in a Russian adoption, so they wouldn't be in that file. BUT, you don't know what is in the file until you request it.

kretzklan - I think the forms are used more in countries where there is a lot of information on the birth families. Some of Guatemala's G-884 packets come in multiple envelopes when returned they are so big. Mine had several items I had never seen before and pictures of my son. I know we have friends who adopted from China and they didn't know about the forms either. Good Luck!

One last item, the email to locate the file for the G-884 has recently changed. It is now: Buf-G884@dhs.gov
don't forget to email your child's name on entry and your A# from your COC so they can locate the file and where your form should be mailed.

[cborsa7]

OK, I am a bit confused. Our agency never told us that we needed either of these forms, but you are talking as though they are important. What are they? Do we need them for legal reasons, or for the information to provide our son with as he starts wanting to know about his birth circumstances?

And most agencies don't mention these forms as they are not part of your adoption process with them. Both forms are available for download on the website: USCIS Home Page
under forms. The G-884 is the return of the original documents in the envelope you handed over when you came home. The form G-639 is the Freedom of Information Act, and it will contain any other information in your file with USCIS. You don't need to file any of these, it is your information to have if you want to request it from your file. As stated, everyone's file will be a little different depending on what information is in your file, most will want this just for a keep sake or for back up copies of documents.

[misshawna]

I sent the 884 in and got mostly copies, not more originals. I was a bit disappointed as well. I am going to file the other form soon, but know it takes forever.