Foreign adopted child passport needed?

[conmar]

We are on the 8/7 cruise and I just looked at my son's birth certificate (that was issued by our state here) but was adopted from Russia and it says on the face of it that this document does not certify citizenship. I have his naturalization papers too, but will this work. Anyone sailed with these papers or do I have to get a passport? and if so, how long do they take to get?
Thanks....

 

[Scott H]

My nephews are also foreign adpoted. Best advise is to get them a passport. Easy and the best proof of citizenship.

 

[crisi]

We elected to get a passport for my Korean born son. His birth certificate also has "not proof of US citizenship" stamped across it (although since 2000 these kids get automatic citizenship when their adoption is finalized - I've often wondered if they've stopped stamping the birth certificates - maybe I should just stop by the clerks office and get a new one).

That naturalization certificate is a real pain in the back end to replace if its ever lost. A passport is much easier and will always serve as proof of citizenship. Most international adoption experts advise getting a passport for your child even if they never travel - just for this reason.

Passports take, I believe, six weeks, but can be rushed. www.state.gov.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

We adopted our two from Russia as well. I didn't want to take any chances with our Russian or US birth certificates not being suitable, plus we wanted to get their US passports anyhow. I highly recommend just getting the US passports for the reasons crisi mentioned.

 

[KyBuckeye]

We, too, have a son from Russia, and to simplify matters we went ahead and got the passport. Our cruise isn't til Oct but we like to travel and thought it would be just as easy. However getting a passport isn't a simple matter, you have to present your adoption decree, current birth certificate (certificate of foreign birth) , green card and Russian passport. These all have to go to the passport office and will be mailed back to you along with your son's US passport. And be aware that both parents have to be present when applying for a passport for a minor child. There is a way around that with a sworn, notorized document, but we found it just as easy to both appear. Our passport took about 30 days, so you may still have time, plus there may be ways to expedite it, I'd ask at your local office. Otherwise I have no idea if you would have any trouble with having a ctf of foreign birth only, but I'd suspect you might. Hope this helps, feel free to email me if I can help further!

Heidi

 

[crisi]

We had to only provide our son's U.S. birth certificate (reissued after adoption) and naturalization certificate. His Korean passport was not required, his green card turned over as part of his Naturalization. And I've never seen a Korean birth certificate for him.

The state department web site tells you what documents you will need.

 

[kcashner]

Yes, birth certificate and naturalization certificate together are accepted. However...the naturalization certificate it totally NOT replaceable if lost, stolen, etc. You seriously might want to consider getting a passport and then placing the naturalization certificate in a safe deposit box.

 

[antmaril]

Naturalization papers are proof of citizenship, but a passport would be better. Our son is adopted from South Korea and we took his naturalization papers with us when we went on the Big Red Boat in 1991 (he was four at the time). I remember the customs officer telling us that we really needed to get him a passport, because we wouldn't want to lose his naturalization papers. It would not be fun to try and replace those papers. A certificate of foreign birth (a/k/a "birth certificate") would not have any meaning with regard to citizenship for a child born in another country. A passport would be best, but if you don't have time to get one, bring his naturalization papers and be very careful with them.

Have fun!

 

[CM_Mom]

Go with passports. Check out http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html for all needed info.

You can apply for a passport at lots of post offices and they have a link on the site the will tell you where you can go and the fees.

You're cutting it close with only one month to go. It might be worth it to pay the expediting fee to give you more peace of mind.

 

[ksjayhawks]

We cruised in February with our Korean born son and all we took was the state birth certificate. No problems at all.

 

[antmaril]

Do not take a chance with a "birth certificate" for a foreign born child. Obviously, the child is not born in the U.S. and his state issued birth certificate is not proof of cititzenship. If you have time, get a passport, if not, bring the naturalization papers. Or, if there is any doubt, bring both. Better to be safe than sorry.

A passport would be best, if you have time (I agree, pay for expediting).

 

[ToyStory]

We adopted our son from Russia too. We lived in NY at the time and did readopt him in NY too. His birth certifcate from NY says Moscow Russia as place of birth and clearly states not to be used as citizenship purposes.

We applied for citizenship prior to it becoming automatic to become a citizen for foreign adopted children. We were advised to get a passport which we did.

We just got off NCL Dawn with no issues a couple of weeks ago.

 

[conmar]

Thank you to all of you for giving me great advice. I have called my senator and we are going to his office today and handle everything. I had better be safe and get the passport--rather than risk being sorry at all on the cruise - or not getting on the cruise. My kids and I would be heartbroken...I have been reading this board for 6 months now(since I booked) and you all are a great bunch!!! Thanks again.

debra