How to Adopt from Denmark Part 3

Colage of Copenhagen, .
Source: Wikipedia.org.

This page explains step 6 of How to Adopt from Denmark. To read about steps 1-4 please read How to Adopt from Denmark. To read step 5 please read How to Adopt from Denmark Part 2.

6. Bring Your Child Home

Now that your adoption is complete (or you have obtained legal custody of the child), there are a few more steps to take before you can head home. Specifically, you need to apply for three documents for your child before he or she can travel to the United States:

1. Birth Certificate

You will first need to apply for a new birth certificate for your child, so that you can later apply for a passport. Your name will be added to the new birth certificate. In Denmark, birth certificates are issued by the local Parish (Danish State Church) Registration Offices (Kirkekontor.) Adoptive parents present their Adoption Certificate to the Registrar (Kordegn) in their area of residence, who in turn will issue the Danish birth certificate with the names of the child and the adoptive parents.

2. Denmark Passport

Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a travel document or Passport from Denmark. Application for a Danish passport is filed with the Citizens Services Office (Borgerservice) in the area of the adoptive parents' residence. Both adoptive parents must sign the application and submit the child's Danish birth certificate and a photo of the child. A list of local passport photographers may be obtained from the Citizens Services Office (Borgerservice). Processing time is approximately two weeks.

3. U.S. Immigrant Visa

After you obtain the new birth certificate and passport for your child, you also need to apply for an U.S. visa from the United States Embassy for your child. After the adoption (or custody for purpose of adoption) is granted, visit the U.S Embassy for final review and approval of the child’s I-800 petition and to obtain a visa for the child. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. As part of this process, the consular officer must be provided the “Panel Physician’s” medical report on the child. Read more about the Medical Examination. For questions on the U.S. immigrant visa process, please contact the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen at CopenhagenIV@state.gov.

Child Citizenship Act

For adoptions finalized abroad: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your child to acquire American citizenship when he or she enters the United States as lawful permanent residents.

For adoptions to be finalized in the United States: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your child to typically acquire American citizenship when the U.S. state court issues the final adoption decree. We urge your family to finalize the adoption in a U.S. State court as quickly as possible.

Please be aware that if your child did not qualify to become a citizen upon entry to the United States, it is very important that you take the steps necessary so that your child does qualify as soon as possible. Failure to obtain citizenship for your child can impact many areas of his/her life including family travel, eligibility for education and education grants, and voting.

Read more about the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.

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