USCIS G-884 Request for Original Documents?

[RedOakMomma]

Has anyone here done this?

We're thinking of doing it this week, and I'm wondering what others have gotten back from it, or if anyone has suggestions on how to word the request.  We've heard you might be able to get original photos (ones not seen before, like newborn photos), birthparent signatures, official documents, etc.  It's free, so we thought we'd try it and see what happens.

(This is for the information you hand over to USCIS at immigration when you fly into the country with your new child...the packet that you're not allowed to open.  Personally, I'm curious what was in there.)

more information can be found here:http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/pdf/PostAdoptPaperwork.pdf

The form at USCIS: http://www.uscis.gov/g-884

 

[Spock]

We did this and we didn't get anything new.  Just a copy of his Chinese birth certificate and adoption decree.  Other people have received copies of the immigration medical exam but for some reason we didn't.  I was disappointed that I didn't get any new info.

As for wording, I think I put something like "we request all documents and photos pertaining to the adoption of <ds's name>."

Edited by Spock - 1/29/11 at 4:00pm

[sak9645]

A lot depends on the country from which you are adopting.  As examples:

With China, the only "new" thing you get will be a copy of the medical report done by the clinic in Guangzhou.  Everything else, you will have already, such as the birth certificate, adoption decree, and abandonment certificate.  The reason is simple.  No other paperwork was part of the adoption paperwork.

With Guatemala, many parents have gotten additional information.  As an example, at DNA testing, a picture was often taken of the birthmother holding the baby, and this became part of the record.  Some families, who may never had seen a picture of the birthmother, have been thrilled to find it.  And they know how valuable it may be, when their children get old enough to ask questions about their birth families.

As I understand it, there's no fee for filing the form to request information.  So go ahead and send it, no matter where you adopted.  Even if you don't receive anything new, you will get additional copies of the adoption paperwork, in case you lose the documents you have, and/or need them for some other purpose, such as getting a passport.

Sharon