Adoptive Children

[GrannyEv]

My DB and DSIN have just adopted an adorable baby boy named James.
We are hoping to go on a family trip to DisneyWorld in September with my DD, DGD & DGS.
Their adoption won't become legal for two years. Have anyone else taken
an adoptive child over the US border. We will be driving. We are thinking that perhaps a letter from their lawyer will be sufficient but are unsure of who to contact regarding this.
Any help from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

hugs
GrannyEv

 

[Sandy22]

Not sure from your question if the boy is officialy adopted yet or not...if not, I don't know the answer - guess it depends on who has legal custody (why would it take 2 years?)

I'm adopting too and I since it will take about a year for my daughter to get her citizenship, I was told to apply for a US travel visa (there is a fee) if I want to travel to the US.

 

[GrannyEv]

For the final adoption to become in effect, it takes two years. So two years until the birth mother has no claim. MY DB is going to call the American Consulate in Toronto to see what the requirements are. DB thinks that a letter from a lawyer would be enough. They don't have his birth certificate yet but do have a health card for him. The baby is part Inuit, so obviously not my DB & DSIN's. I know lots of people these days adopt babies from other cultures so I thought someone on this board would have been through it.
So you are adopting?? How wonderful for you. My DB and DSIN have been waiting a long time for a baby. He's adorable (of course). They can hardly wait until they take him on his first trip to Disney in September.

hugs
Granny Ev

 

[Palendat]

In Manitoba, it only takes 6 months for the adoption to become legal. However, we did take our adopted son across the border, both by car and by plane before it became legal. We had a letter from our provincial Child & Family Services, who handles most adoptions in this province. It was all we needed and it didn't seem like any big deal to the customs official. There were no problems.

 

[GrannyEv]

My DB and DSIN adopted their son privately so that's why the wait is so long.
We personally can't see a problem and think a letter from the lawyer will be sufficient. He's going to phone the American Consulate just to be sure.

Thanks to everyone who replied.
Happy Mouse Hunting!!

hugs
GrannyEv

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

Hi GrannyEv

I have never replied to a post before so I hope I am doing this right!
My husband and I have been blessed with the adoption of 3 beautiful children, all from birth. They are now 5, 3, and 2. Traveling with them before the adoption is finalized and you have a birth certificate can be difficult. Notoraized letters from lawyers may be turned away at the border. There is no guarentee they will be accepted. Security is very tight and even children require sufficiant ID. Before our youngest adoption was finalized we went on the Disney Cruise. There was alot of red tape to go through, but what we had to do was arrange a temporary passport for him. It was valid for one year and the passport people needed proof of our trip and an itinary. The legal gaurdinship of our son was still with the agency (until we got the final adoption papers), So we had to have their approval and assitance in this. Some passport offices aren't sure how to proceed with this kind of passport. They had to get out thier big book to figure it out, but they were very helpful and it was all done quickly. When we got his offical birth certificate we went back in and they extended the passport another 2 years for $13.
I wish your family many blessings, this is a very exciting time for them and wish them much joy and happiness!
Lisa!

 

[GrannyEv]

Hi Lisa:
Thanks very much for the valuable information. My brother was going to phone the American Consulate to see what their regulations are.
I have forwarded your email on to him. We will let you know what happens.
Congratulations on the adoption of your beautiful children. I'm sure they have brought great joy into your life.

hugs
GrannyEv