We next tried to apply for her US Birth Certificate but ran into a problem there. We have an "IH3" visa but Maryland currently only recognizes the IR3 visas. IH3s are newer and apply to Hague Convention compliant countries (which China is). IR3s apply to non-Hague countries. Previously there were only IR3s because the Hague Convention didn't exist a few years ago. However, Maryland law is catching up with the times and the law is being updated to include IH3 visas. The new law takes effect with the new fiscal year, 1 Oct 11. We could go through a re-adoption process now but then we'd incur attorney fees and court costs. Nope, we'll just wait for October, we have until she is 18 y/o. It can wait.
In the mean time, I was filling out her US Passport but it requires a social security number. Ok, moving on to the SSN paperwork. Easy stuff, a one page form and some documents we received in China. Went to SS today, ugh, 2 hour wait. Once I was seen it was only 5 minutes. We should get her card in 7-14 days. At that time I'll revisit the passport stuff. We don't plan on int'l travel, it's just that a passport proves citizenship and is not as big/valuable/fragile/important as the CoC. A passport can be replaced easily, doesn't cost as much, and transports well.
Does the paperwork ever end? I hope so.
