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Along these lines, I too have a question...we adopted from Ethiopia and have completed the readoption in AZ. I have gone to the social security office and have the ss card coming....
I know I need to get a Certificate of Citizenship and I have the paperwork printed off the computer. Along w/the N600 it asks for final adoption decree (got it), birth certificate (got it), and us passport (don't have it...). Ok, so I went to the website for passports and what do they ask for? The certificate of citizenship! How do I get one w/o having the other??
Thanks,
Teranga
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JLMAdopt,
First off, whatever you send, send as PHOTOCOPIES with a notarized statement on them indicating that they are "true copies" and that you will produce originals on request. The USCIS does NOT want you to send in originals and risk losing things. When you go for your interview, if one is requested in your state, just bring the originals so they can be inspected.
Second, TECHNICALLY, you do not have to send in anything that the USCIS already has. In other words, you don't really need to send in the foreign adoption decree, foreign birth certificate, or foreign passport, since they were in the sealed envelope you handed over at your port of entry. You DO need to send in anything the USCIS does not already have, such as any readoption decree and/or name change order you have received.
HOWEVER, to avoid delays in case the USCIS has mislaid anything from your file, I would very strongly recommend sending along photocopies of EVERYTHING that the USCIS will need to make a determination that your child is a citizen. This includes, in no particular order:
a) Foreign adoption decree, as proof that your child is legally in your custody.
b) Foreign passport. Adding the green card (permanent resident card -- which isn't actually green) is a good idea, but not mandatory, since the "A-number" on the green card is the same as the one on the foreign passport. So don't worry if you never got a green card in the mail.
c) Foreign birth certificate.
d) Proof that you, the parent, live in the U.S., such as your driver's license.
e) Proof of your child's readoption/recognition if he/she came home on an IR-4 visa.
f) Proof of your child's legal name change, via readoption or some other mechanism allowed by your state, if you did one. (If you did not do one, and the child's foreign name is the only one on his/her foreign documents, the foreign name will appear on the certificate of citizenship. You do NOT want that. The best proof is a copy of the readoption decree and a copy of the child's state-issued certificate of foreign birth.
g) Three identical photos of your child that meet the requirements shown on the form.
h) Proof that at least one parent was born in the U.S. or is a naturalized citizen of the U.S. (your own birth certificate if issued in the U.S., or certificate of citizenship).
i) Proof of your marriage, if you are currently married.
j) Proof of any prior divorces you had.
k) The relevant fee.
Sharon