Hague---background checks

[medtary]

We are considering a second adoption, and it sounds as though things are quite a bit more complicated than they were a few years ago because of the Hague rules. I found out yesterday that the homestudy has to include background checks for myself, my husband and my 19 year old daughter, for each state we've lived in since turning 18. For me, that's 8. For my husband, that's 5-7, depending on how they treat military training. How do we most efficiently go about doing this, both time- and money-wise?

[Di+Jer]

Hi! Our social worker took care of it for us. I made a list of the previous states we lived in, with addresses and counties. Some states require that the background request be sent to the county (We lived in Wisconsin and that's what they wanted). With our HS agency, they worked in several different states. If they needed a background check from one of the states that they work in, they contacted a branch in that state to see where it needed to be sent. We didn't have any requests that went to states outside their region so it made it easier than it seems. She said that if it were outside their region she may have to make some phone calls to figure out where the request would need to be sent but she didn't seem too concerned. I also wrote up a statement that gave my SW permission to obtain the information. It took a month or so for her to obtain the information and I don't remember paying a fee for it... (I'm sure I paid for it in agency fees but I don't recall it being a significant amount). Don't know if this applies to all agencies but that's how it worked for us.

[Angie F.]

It's one form you fill out for your social worker and you list all your previous addresses that they require under all your previous names (maiden, any previous marriages, etc) with your social security #, drivers license #, etc and it's all ran through the system by your name, dob, ss# and for drivers dl#. The social worker will run the background check.

You also get checked out when you're fingerprinted by FBI.

[medtary]

I really appreciate the information and advice. It really does help. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain what you know!!!

Tary

[Lillie]

The Hague background check process is definitely different than the non-Hague process. For us, we supplied our Holt social worker with a list of the states and countries we lived in. Holt then mailed us back a packet of background check forms to complete based on everywhere we'd each lived since we were 18. Our branch office had the forms for each of the states we needed. If you have lived out of the US, it depends on the country and the situation as to how they handle it. Once the individuals forms are completed, they get submitted to the appropriate jurisdiction.

I recommend that you post your question on the China BB as a number of the families have recently completed this process and will be able to fill you in on the specifics.

[Lillie]

It's one form you fill out for your social worker and you list all your previous addresses that they require under all your previous names (maiden, any previous marriages, etc) with your social security #, drivers license #, etc and it's all ran through the system by your name, dob, ss# and for drivers dl#. The social worker will run the background check.

You also get checked out when you're fingerprinted by FBI.

I could be interpretting your post wrong, but it sounds like you are describing the process for Korea, a non-Hague country. The process for Hague countries is actually different. Families have to get individual background checks from each state and country where they have lived since they were 18 years old.

[appa-baba-papa]

We are considering a second adoption, and it sounds as though things are quite a bit more complicated than they were a few years ago because of the Hague rules. I found out yesterday that the homestudy has to include background checks for myself, my husband and my 19 year old daughter, for each state we've lived in since turning 18. For me, that's 8. For my husband, that's 5-7, depending on how they treat military training. How do we most efficiently go about doing this, both time- and money-wise?

For us we just supplied the addresses to our Holt branch office (Omaha) and they took care of it. Some states require fees for background checks (South Carolina was one that does - $20). I needed several from having been in the Army for everywhere I had been stationed - 7 total. They were not able to get one from South Korea (one of the places I was stationed). It defintely adds to the total time of the process by months (at least for us). Another thing that's different is the biometrics (fingerprinting). We had to get fingerprinted by both the USCIS and our local sheriff's office. The I-800 related paperwork is more lengthy than the I-600 paperwork but it's doable. It makes the homestudy take longer which makes the dossier take longer.

It is hard for us to compare overall because we went through China's WC program in 2007 before Hague and through the Philippines WC program 2008-09 after Hague rules and it seems like both processes were lengthy (over 16 months) which to us is a long time for an adoption through WC programs. However before them we only had Korean adoptions to compare them to and they were considerably simpler and quicker.

Brett

[medtary]

Hi there,
Thanks for taking the time to write, especially so close to the holidays. I guess we'll just have to be as patient as we can be.
Sounds like it adds time, work and money, no matter how you slice it. At least our homestudy agency is experienced and has a good reputation.
By the way, you have the sweetest looking kids!! Bet Christmas is fun at your house!

Tary

[appa-baba-papa]

Thank you. Yes every day is an adventure. They are great kids and we are fortunate to be their parents.