June 27, 2003

Readopting vs. Domestication

Anopther hit to the pocketbook: Radopting your child (children coming back with an IR-4) or Domesticating an adoption (children coming back with an IR-3).

Though, an IR-3 is supposed to be automatic citizenship....it is still an obstacle course to PROVE the child is a US citizen. Furthermore, the process of readopting vs. domesticating a foreign adoption are quite similar and acomplish pretty much the same thing.

1 - Birth Certificates and Adoption Decrees are *domesticated* meaning that they are NOW available at your local vital records office.
2 - A name change can be initiated at the same time.
3 - The required documents are about the same with both processes.

What you need:
Your attorney will probably make copies of the following to submit in the petition:
1 - Adoption Decree
2 - Birth Certificates (before and after)
3 - Supporting documents (just bring everything)
4 - Permanent Residence card
5 - Guatemalan passport
6 - YOUR Homestudy
7 - YOUR marriage certificate
8 - Previous divorce decrees

Any documents that you have in Spanish, you will need translations...and I will use the term *certified* translations loosely.

For you court date, you will take ALL originals.

For both a domestication and readoption, the price seems to be around $800 - $1000. I believe you can petition the courts without a lawyer, but my opinion is that the lawyer is an insurance policy that it is done right the first time.

Posted by Kelly at June 27, 2003 03:00 PM
Comments

Can anyone recommend a good attorney to do a domestication? The one I've spoken to quoted me $1600, which seems a little high.

Posted by: Debbie at July 13, 2003 12:02 AM

We used Abb Hayes in Gainesville. We were charged $600.00 but I believe he said he has gone up since then. This was in April of this year.

Posted by: maureen at July 15, 2003 09:59 PM

How long did it take to get it done? Do we have to do it in the county we live in? We're in Fulton, where everything seems to be more complicated. :-)

Posted by: Debbie at July 17, 2003 11:45 PM

Maureen,
Do you have his phone number?

Posted by: debbie at July 22, 2003 03:52 PM

Comment ca va?

Posted by: Jim at November 3, 2004 04:34 PM