California Re-Adopt

After standing in line with nothing but love in the air for over two hours with Marissa one day last week, I just wanted to post saying that we have our re-adopt hearing date set for August 3rd. For those of you needing or wanting to re-adopt in California, you can do it on your own without paying an attorney, adoption agency or paralegal. It is actually fairly easy to do. We did it for Marissa and now for Bryson as well. Doing it yourself can save yourself up to $550. For us that is a little more than one flight to St Louis!

While Bryson's adoption was finalized in China, by re-adopting him in the States, we know that all our T's are crossed and I's dotted. This also allows Bryson to receive a California birth certificate. We have already had two issues with confusion over accepting foreign documents. Frankly, this just makes life easier. Besides it gives us another special day to celebrate with Mr. B and gives him the security of knowing he is with us forever!!

These are the forms you need to print off the internet. I got mine off Sacramento County Superior Court Family Law page.

Adopt 200

Adopt 230

Adopt 210

Adopt 215

VS44

Accompanying but not attached to Adopt 200, copy of the following; adoption certificate in China, Chinese birth certificate with translations, visa, certificate of citizenship AND originals with notary stamps of Hague Homestudy and first post-placement.

Once you have filled out the above forms and not attach, but paperclip the additional documents with the Adopt 200, you will need to make 3 additional copies of everything. You may not need three of the Adopt 230, 210, 215 and VS44; just do it while you are making copies because you at least need two and may need more always better to have more. In fact, wouldn't hurt to have 4 of everything. You may end up taking a few forms home, but that is better than waiting in the 2 hour line once you had to go make more copies.

Because we had our original homestudy and post-placement reports, we were able to set our date of hearing. So on August 3, at 8:30 am, Bryson will be double legally ours. It will take about 10 months for us to receive his California birth certificate.

Disclaimer: I am not giving any legal advice here, only posting what worked for us in California, specifically Sacramento County at window number 12 on July 14th, 2009 at 3:57pm!