We have completed our last post-placement visit with our agency (Lifelink) for Theo's legal adoption. Our social worker sent a us a copy of the letter she had sent to our lawyer this week. This letter recommends the finalization of our adoption of Theo in the state of Illinois. I love the last sentence of her letter:
"Theo is a happy, normal and well bonded child who is surrounded by an abundance of love from his family, relatives and friends."
A little history . . . . When we traveled to China, our adoption was complete when we visitied the the US Embassy for an adoption ceremony. Ella was considered a US Citizen when she landed in Dallas TX for our layover on our flight home. Soon after we got home, we could apply for her social security number.
For Korea adoptions, the child must be adopted through a US court system before they are eligible for citizenship. Theo is currently classified as a legal alien. Adoptive families hire a lawyer to help with the process. When the last post-placement visit is completed, the court date can be set for the finalization of the adoption. Then we can apply for citizenship and finally, a social security number for Theo.
Although our adoption is already completed with Ella, we do not have a US document on file (in a courthouse) showing her adoption. Her original file is in China. So, we decided to also have a legal adoption done for Ella at the same time. This means (if I understand this all correctly!) that Ella and Theo will have adoption certificates on file in Illinois. This will be handy for any certified copies needed for school etc.
The good news is . . . .
Our adoption ceremony will be held on November 13th in Nashville IL. Our adoption lawyer is located in Nashville so we will enjoy a nice little ceremony in the historic courthouse in Nashville. We are looking forward to having this all more official!
"Theo is a happy, normal and well bonded child who is surrounded by an abundance of love from his family, relatives and friends."
A little history . . . . When we traveled to China, our adoption was complete when we visitied the the US Embassy for an adoption ceremony. Ella was considered a US Citizen when she landed in Dallas TX for our layover on our flight home. Soon after we got home, we could apply for her social security number.
For Korea adoptions, the child must be adopted through a US court system before they are eligible for citizenship. Theo is currently classified as a legal alien. Adoptive families hire a lawyer to help with the process. When the last post-placement visit is completed, the court date can be set for the finalization of the adoption. Then we can apply for citizenship and finally, a social security number for Theo.
Although our adoption is already completed with Ella, we do not have a US document on file (in a courthouse) showing her adoption. Her original file is in China. So, we decided to also have a legal adoption done for Ella at the same time. This means (if I understand this all correctly!) that Ella and Theo will have adoption certificates on file in Illinois. This will be handy for any certified copies needed for school etc.
The good news is . . . .
Our adoption ceremony will be held on November 13th in Nashville IL. Our adoption lawyer is located in Nashville so we will enjoy a nice little ceremony in the historic courthouse in Nashville. We are looking forward to having this all more official!
1 comment:
Woo hooo! Congrats!
The Schmidt House
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