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Dec 19, 2007

A Done Deal

It is done.  Munchkin is officially ours, and we are officially his.  Our adoption was finalized in Sanxx XXXX County Court this week.   Many family and friends were present.  I was so happy, so overjoyed, that I cried during the court hearing. 

The hearing was beautiful.  Our county's juvenile court was finalizing 27 adoptions that day.  All they did all day was adoptions - no other cases.  It was all adoption all the time.  They decorated the courtroom with tons of Christmas decorations and balloons and toys, and put out Christmas cookies and milk.  The bailiff wore a Santa hat and tried very hard to get all the children to smile. 

The hearing took only 5 minutes.  We sat down at a table in front of the judge. She asked if we had both read and understood all the paperwork we had filed earlier.  She then asked us to verbally confirm some of the details.   Then, she had us sign the ADOPT-210 (the Adoption Agreement) in front of her, and then said "Congratulations! You're a family!"  We then did some photos with the judge and with all our family and friends.   

And now he's ours.  I now no longer have to worry what will happen to him if both T & I become incapacitated or die;  he will go to my sister and our families will care for him and see him grow up.  I now know that if Munchkin has some medical issues that we have the final authority to make medical and legal decisions on his behalf.  I now know that if T or I develop some kind of terminal illness that we will still be allowed to be Munckin's parents.  We now have all the rights of biological parents, and it is a bigger relief than I had could have guessed. ( I imagine this is how gay couples feel when allowed to legally married.)

Also, Munchkin is now an American citizen.  But now we go through the paper chase to acquire the documents that prove it.  Apparently it will take a full year for the State of California to issue a "birth" certificate with all our names on it.  So, in the meantime I have to figure out how to obtain the following for Munchkin without it:

  1. A US Passport
  2. Change his name on his Social Security card
  3. A Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS form N-600)
  4. Change his name and status on our health insurance

It seems we are never quite done. Alas.

Posted on Dec 19, 2007 at 11:15 AM in -- moving on to adoption |

Comments

Jenn

Congratulations!!!

Posted by: Jenn | Dec 19, 2007 at 03:13 PM

PiquantMolly

Oh, congratulations! What joy during the perfect time of year for it.

Posted by: PiquantMolly | Dec 19, 2007 at 03:55 PM

Summer

Congratulations! Now it's time to cross that off your list and have that party!

Posted by: Summer | Dec 20, 2007 at 02:54 PM

Lut C.

How nice of them to turn it into a party! Congratulations!

Posted by: Lut C. | Dec 24, 2007 at 04:03 PM

ll

Oh yeah, congratulations... I'm sure it is an enormous relief to you

Posted by: ll | Dec 26, 2007 at 07:48 AM

JennyK

Congratulations!

And good luck with the process for #2.

Posted by: JennyK | Dec 27, 2007 at 08:02 AM

Sophie

CONGRATULATIONS! I am so incredibly happy for all of you. Best of luck in 2008 and beyond.

Posted by: Sophie | Dec 27, 2007 at 04:48 PM

ali

Congratulations! That's wonderful news!

Posted by: ali | Dec 29, 2007 at 06:30 PM

Amyesq

Whohoo! Congratulations! So glad to hear you got this done and that Munchkin is officially yours. Not a bad way to close out the year.

And Number Two? Go you!

Posted by: Amyesq | Jan 01, 2008 at 07:58 PM

Kimmer

Congratulations, good to see you post! So glad things are final. Hopefully our finalization will happen before our son turns 18, lol.

Posted by: Kimmer | Jan 14, 2008 at 03:30 PM

Lisa

I was told our birth certificate could take around 6 months to receive and you can't do much without it.

I remember the relief when we walked out of the courtroom.

Congrats!

Posted by: Lisa | Jan 14, 2008 at 06:19 PM

Anna H.

congratulations to you three!

Posted by: Anna H. | Jan 18, 2008 at 04:13 PM

MLO

Congratulations! I am so happy for you!

Posted by: MLO | Jan 25, 2008 at 09:21 AM

Linda

Oh congrats!!! What an exciting (and relieving) day that must have been! :))

Posted by: Linda | Feb 15, 2008 at 05:41 PM

Jodi

Congratulations! I am very happy for you and your family.

I also wanted to thank you for sharing your journey. I am going thru my 2nd ectopic and I am nervous since my first one ruptured after 2 methotrexate shots. I only have the left tube left and a million thoughts are going thru my head. What we have been thru was traumic and life threatening, but I find it helpful to read what others have experienced. (All the things the doctors don't tell you)

Posted by: Jodi | Apr 14, 2008 at 11:43 PM

Kate

Congrats on him! What a blessing.

Posted by: Kate | Apr 26, 2008 at 04:12 PM

Megan

I'm still checking in on you every now and then, wondering how you are and if you have any plans to bring home a sibling for Munchkin.
I hope you are all doing well!

Posted by: Megan | Jul 09, 2008 at 02:34 PM

The comments to this entry are closed.

Recent Posts

Adoption To-Do's

  • 

    Total Expenses So Far: $21,531

    Select country (Korea) (11/14/05)

    Select agency (11/17/05)

    Tell our families

    Receive preliminary application

    Preliminary App filed (12/5/05):

    • Fill in application
    • Photo of us, photo of house
    • Write medical statement, elaborating on treatment for depression
    • Line up four non-relative references
    • One copy of tax returns from past three years
    • Pay $200 fee
    • Notarized adoption services agreement $10
    • Fedex to Agency $15

    Receive Big App (12/15/05)

    Receive Korea Adoption Guidebook

    Home Study Paperwork: (1/19/06)

    • S: Complete "Personal Data" form with 67 essay questions
    • S: 1 photocopy birth certificate
    • S: Complete Authorization of Release of Information - Employer Verification
    • S: Criminal Record Statement
    • S: LiveScan fingerprint form (for State of California: criminal and child abuse index)
    • S: Schedule LiveScan fingerprinting appointments
    • S: LiveScan fingerprints done, pay $65
    • S: Medical Exam, including HIV and TB tests
    • S: Medical Report filled out by doctor
    • T: Complete 51 essay question "Personal Data" form
    • T: 1 photocopy birth certificate
    • T: Complete Authorization of Release of Information - Employer Verification
    • T: Criminal Record Statement
    • T: LiveScan fingerprint form (for State of California: criminal and child abuse index)
    • T: Schedule LiveScan fingerprinting appointments
    • T: LiveScan fingerprints done, pay $65
    • T: Medical Exam, including HIV and TB tests
    • T: Medical Report filled out by doctor
    • Complete detailed Financial Statement
    • 1 photocopy marriage license
    • Photo of baby's room
    • Map & directions to home
    • Copy all, keep for records
    • FedEx packet to agency, $15 (1/12/06)
    All 4 non-relative references return 3-page, 10-essay questionnaires directly to agency (1/28/06)

    Home Study Part 2: (4/3/2006)

    • Receive & pay invoice for home study $3066 (2/1/06)
    • Schedule social worker visits (2/10/06)
    • Childproof house (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, outlet covers) $40
    • Social worker visit #1 (joint) (2/21/06)
    • Acceptable Medical Conditions Form (2/27/06)
    • From that details how "open" an adoption we are willing to consider  (2/27/06)
    • Social worker visit #2 (S only) (2/28/06)
    • Social worker visit #3 (T only) (2/28/06)
    • Sign up for module 1 & 2 of parenting class
    • Book travel for parenting class in Southern California
    • Modules 1 & 2 of agency parenting class (in SoCal) $500 (1/21/06)
    • Receive 2 completed, certified, notarized copies of Home Study (4/3/2006)

    Agency sends Home Study to Korea (HSTK) (4/7/2006)

    Sign up for modules 3 & 4 of agency parenting class

    Take modules 3 & 4 of agency parenting class (4/9/06)

    I-600A filed with US-CIS (Advanced Processing of Orphan Petition for Visa) (4/6/2006):

    • I-600A form
    • Copy certified Home Study
    • S: Photocopy of birth certificate
    • T: Photocopy of birth certificate
    • Photocopy of marriage license
    • Copy of most recent federal tax return
    • Proof of medical insurance
    • $545 fee + $140 for FBI fingerprints = $685
    • Cover letter
    • Copy all for records
    • Mail to US-CIS San Francisco

    FBI Fingerprinting:

    • US-CIS acknowledges receipt of I-600A (4/12/06)
    • FBI Fingerprinting appt. scheduled (different than LiveScan fingerprints)
    • FBI Fingerprinting completed, for each (4/28/06)

    Receive I-171H (Approval of I-600A) (5/11/06)

    Pick baby name

    Arrange for medical evaluation of referral

    Receive Referral (12/29/06)

    • Child's presentation letter
    • Child's information
    • Photographs
    • Medical records
    • Confidential background information

    Medical evaluation of Referral by Oakland Children's Hospital (1/10/2007)

    File Referral Acceptance Paperwork: ($140 + $12) (1/6/2007)

    • Child Information Transmittal
    • Pay invoice for $17,500
    • 3 Placement Agreements - all notarized
    • T: 4 Statements of Adoption (for child's Korean passport) - all notarized
    • 3 Travel Option forms
    • 1 Foreign Travel Release - notarized
    • T: 2 Affidavit re INS Vaccination Requirements
    • T: 2 I-864 Affidavit of Support for Immigration
    • S: 2 I-864A Contract between Sponsor and Household Member
    • Copy of entire last year tax return, with ALL attachments
    • Copy of all last year W-2 and 1099 forms
    • T: Photocopy of birth certificate (again)
    • S: Photocopy of birth certificate (again)
    • T: Copy of 2006 paystubs
    • S: Copy of 2006 paystubs
    • Photocopy of marriage license (again)
    • Photocopy everything for records
    • FedEx to agency (1/6/2007)

    Receive child's "legals" from Korea (in English & Korean): (1/22/2007)

    • Affirmation and Oath Certificate (attests these documents are true and correct)
    • Certificate of the Guardian (certifies Korean agency was guardian)
    • Statement of Guardianship (transfers guardianship from Korean agency to American agency)
    • Extract of Family Register (birth certificate equivalent)

    I-600 visa petition form filed w/ US-CIS: (1/25/2007)

    • I-600 form
    • Copy of I-171H
    • Copies of child's legals
    • Originals of child's legals, with note and SASE envelope requesting they be returned
    • Copy of child report
    • Copy of child photos
    • Copy of most recent 1040 tax form
    • Copy of I-864
    • Copy of I-864A
    • Letter with visa cable instructions
    • Fedex to US-CIS San Francisco $25

    Meanwhile, the Korean agency works away:

    • Our application is translated
    • Korean agency applies for Emigration Permit with Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare
    • Ministry approves Emigration Permit (aka "EP")
    • Agency gets I-171 (I-600 approval) cable from US Embassy in Seoul
    • Baby tested for Hepatitis B & HIV
    • Visa physical for baby
    • Submit application for baby's IR-4 Visa

    Resubmit our I-600 visa petition after US-CIS screws up (2/9/2007)

    Buy baby gear (3/17/07)

    Baby CPR & safety class (2/17/07)

    Line up a regular pediatrician (3/5/07)

    Line up a pediatric cardiologist (3/14/07)

    Investigate childcare options (3/17/07)

    Line up Daycare (5/25/07)

    Get on preschool waiting list (1/5/07)

    Setup nursery(3/19/07)

    Get life insurance for both

    Write wills with statements of guardianship wishes (both)

    Set up trust

    S: Get pre-approval family leave with HR (1/24/2007)

    Buy gifts for foster family, Korean agency staff (3/16/07)

    Make travel arrangements to Korea ($185 plus 240,000 frequent flyer miles) (3/13/07)

    Wrap-up job for a 15-week leave (3/12/07-3/16/07)

    Finalize leave plans with HR (3/15/07)

    Travel to Korea (3/19/07 - 3/25/07)

    • Meet both foster mothers (3/21/07, 3/22/07, 3/23/07)
    • In-Korea pre-flight medical exam (3/22/07)
    • Go to US Embassy in Seoul to process Class-B Waiver (acceptance of medical condition) 3/22/07
    • Get the final Visa paperwork (3/22/07)
    • Take custody of child! (3/23/07)
    • Long plane ride back to USA (3/25/07)

    USA Medical Evaluations

    • Add baby to my health insurance (3/28/07)
    • Evaluation by regular pediatrician (3/30/07)
    • US immunizations (3/30/07)
    • Evaluation by pediatric cardiologist (4/18/07)
    Receive Placement Confirmation Notice from Agency (3/28/06)

    Receive baby's Green Card in mail (4/16/07)

    Get social security number under baby's Korean Name as permanent resident (4/27/07)

    Receive post-placement packet in mail from Agency(4/15/07)

    Post-placement visits from social worker: (9/12/07)

    • Visit #1 (4/28/07)
    • Visit #2 (6/30/07)
    • Visit #3 (7/26/07)
    • Visit #4 (9/12/07)

    Create and file child "progress reports" with 8-18 photos each, for Korean agency and government, and a letter with photos for foster family (9/12/07)

    • 1-month progress report (4/28/07)
    • 3-month progress report (6/30/07)
    • 4-month progress report (7/26/07)
    • 6-month progress report (9/12/07)

    File US Physician's Examination Report with Agency (4/17/07)

    File Adoption Finalization Paperwork in our county in California (5/1/07) ($20)

    • Form ADOPT-200 (Adoption Request) (5/1/07)
    • Form ADOPT-210 (Adoption Agreement) (5/1/07)
    • Form ADOPT-215 (Adoption Order) (5/1/07)
    • Form ADOPT-230 (Adoption Expenses) (5/1/07)

    RE-File Finalization Paperwork the State changed in July '07 (ARGH!) (11/13/07)

    • Form ADOPT-210 (Adoption Agreement) (11/13/07)
    • Form ADOPT-215 (Adoption Order) (11/3/07)

    Finalize Adoption in County Court

    • Receive "Consent to Adoption" from agency (11/2/07)
    • Schedule court hearing (coming in December '07!)
    • Adoption finalization court hearing (Munchkin is now a US citizen, and his American name is now his legal name!)
    • Have a HUGE Party to celebrate!
    • Send agency/Korea copy of child's adoption decree (child is no longer considered a Korean citizen)
    • Send adoption announcements

    Secure proof of US citizenship for child:

    • Complete & file N-600 with US-CIS, pay fee
    • Receive Certificate of Citizenship
    • File passport application
    • Receive passport
    • Apply to SSA to get status changed from resident alien to citizen, SS# name changed (passport is proof)

    Start the process all over again for kid #2!

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