Birth Certificates and Adoptions

Have you ever noticed how much information can be given and substantiated as long as you have your birth certificate? It may be the single most important document that you have, allowing you to prove your citizenship, name, etc.

Perhaps you have gone through a foreign adoption and thanks to the Child Citizenship Act he/she will be a US citizen when they enter the country under an IR-3 visa. But there are some good reasons to have a "re-adoption" for your child once back in the United States.

Obviously your child is going to need their birth certificate at many different stages in their life. It will be much easier to get a copy of the birth certificate from your states department of vital records, rather than trying to get one from their birth country, if one even exists. By going through a re-adoption in the US your child will receive a legal, binding US Birth Certificate.

If you want to legally change your child's name having a re-adoption is a great time to do so and it ensures the legal paperwork is in order, making things a little easier now and later in their life. There are some states that do not recognize foreign adoption decrees. Meaning if you live in one of those states and something happens to you, your child may not be considered a legal heir. If you currently live in a state that does recognize the foreign adoption decree and later move to one that does not, the same thing may apply disallowing your child as a legal heir.

Obviously a US Birth Certificate would be beneficial to both you and your child. If you need assistance in requesting a birth certificate you may want to go to a company that specializes in obtaining those documents. They will be current on what laws apply to your area and can make the process a whole lot easier.

Then, of course, all you should be thinking about is that a re-adoption is a great reason to have a party and gives you a chance to show off your new member of the family.