ReAdoption in California

If you're reading this post, Congratulations on your adoption. I can't think of any other reason such a post would interest anyone other than seeking out information on readopting a foreign born child. If you're like me and have been searching for information on re-adoption in California, you've come to the right place.

First of all, why readopt?

If your foreign born child has come to America under an IR-4 Visa, re-adoption is a must. Otherwise, your child will be considered a Permanent Resident until the age of 12, and will not be entitled to the same rights we have as Americans. What the American Government could do when your child reaches the age of 12 is frightening to consider. Let's just say, you need to get this done. It is highly recommended that children brought to America under the IR-3 Visa be readopted as well, for the same reason. Who knows what policies might change.

Can I file to Readopt without an Attorney?

Of course you can. The trick is to either get a friendly Court Clerk (oxymoron) to tell you what papers you will need to file, or go to Google.com and search for the following forms:

Theses forms can be completed on-line and printed.

ADOPT-050 - How to Adopt a Child in California
This explains the forms and documents you will need. Use it as a check list.

ADOPT-200 - Adoption Request
This tells the Judge about you and the Child you are Adopting

ADOPT-210 - Adoption Agreement
This tells the Judge that you and the Child, IF OVER 12, agree to the adoption. You most likely won't need this one, but I thought I'd add it just in case.

ADOPT-215 - Adoption Order
The Judge signs this form if your adoption is approved.

ADOPT-230 - Adoption Expenses
This tells the Judge about all your adoption expenses. Be prepared for this one. You will need a breakdown of expenses.

AND the VS 44 form.
This tells the court how you want your child's new Birth Certificate to read.

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Health_Human_Services/Level_3_-_Vital_Statistics/VS44%20COURT%20REPORT%20OF%20ADOPTION.pdf


You can also get these forms from the California Courts Self-Help Web Site: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/

These forms took me about five minutes to fill out. It's getting into my closet to dig out the list of expenses that's taking the most time. I'll admit, my closet needs a good cleaning.

What does it cost to do a re-adoption in California?

We contacted an Attorney who wanted $3,000.00 +, and then a Paralegal who wanted $500.00, plus any other costs incurred in the process, which could mean they charge you for every phone call, paper, printer ink, you name it. Not to mention the cost of the International Adoption Services you'll need to use.

If you do it yourself, you're looking at a whopping... wait for it... $20.00 filing fee for the courts, and a flat rate of $600.00 to $1600.00 for the International Service which will have to do a few things for you. Not something we can avoid.

The things you can't do yourself are:

1) Complete and file a document called a "Joinder". This MUST come from either the International Services you used for your adoption, or any other International Agency you choose.

Heres where you can find a Joinder:

http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb/entres/forms/English/ad824.pdf

2) A letter from an International Service recommending the adoption.

3) The DOJ and FBI fingerprinting. For two people, it just cost me about $220.00. That's $110.00 each person. This is something you can't avoid either. They are the same form, but must be done seperately.

Here is a link for the form:

http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/forms/BCII_8016.pdf

I am not suggesting anyone use the same services I'm using, (which only cost $600.00) but you could contact God's Families at http://www.godsfamilies.org/ and either go with them if you're local, or get a referral for another service in your area. These people do re-adoptions all the time and have done their fair amount of hand holding for me.

I'm just starting the re-adoption process myself, so I will happily keep you informed of my progress.

Let me know if this has helped you in your do-it-yourself quest to readopt.

The Lollygaggers Momma