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Why Do Adoption Agencies keep you Birth Certificates / Homestudy?
My Adoption Social Worker asked for original copies of our Birth Certificates, I figured thats easy!!!!!! (figuring she was just gonna look at them and give them back) lol!!! Then my husband told me to ask the social worker if she planned on keeping them, I thought he was just getting a little cranky due to the homestudy being so intense…so I kindda blew it off, plus I didnt want to make waves with the SW, so my husband called and asked her if she was gonna keep them and sure as rain she said YES!!!!! My husband was a little upset, saying he didnt understand why they needed to be kept, this that and the other, although my SW explained the reasons why and was completly patient and understood his fustration, she also told us its no rush, its just a heads up when the adoption process is finalized!!!! I was sooooooo mad at my husband, Im like great our homstudy is gonna be DENIED!!!!!!!!
Does anyone know why they keep your original? And is this a good sign that our homestudy is may be approved? I cant imagine why she would ask for them if we werent!!!
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Replies
I never asked, but just assumed that the home study agency needs to keep all original documentation to prove they checked what they were supposed to check. Our actual home study document that was given to the judge is only about a dozen-page narrative, describing us and our qualifications. It doesn’t include copies of certificates, forms, etc, so the agency keeps them on file…just in case they’re ever requested.
I’m sorry this surprised your husband. I guess each certificate can be a hassle for you to get, and there’s usually a processing fee. We had to submit (and never got back) our official birth certificates, wedding certificate, and my husband’s certificate of (previous) marriage & divorce. I just shrugged it off - hey, if it’s gotta be done, it’s gotta be done.
And no, I don’t think your home study will be denied because your guy got a bit upset. Social workers are used to people asking questions. Just take a deep breath, and realize that you’ll be laughing about this one day - to think you let such a “little” thing worry you!
“Social workers are used to people asking questions. Just take a deep breath, and realize that you’ll be laughing about this one day - to think you let such a “little” thing worry you! “
My husband was a little upset, saying he didnt understand why they needed to be kept, this that and the other, although my SW explained the reasons why and was completly patient and understood his fustration, she also told us its no rush, its just a heads up when the adoption process is finalized!!!! I was sooooooo mad at my husband, Im like great our homstudy is gonna be DENIED!!!!!!!!
And this confuses you?
I have to say, no one ever asked for our birth certificates, though they did ask for a copy of our marriage certificate. Odd.
Thanks ladies, Feeling ALOT better <3
You think this is upsetting? Wait till your child tries to get their OBC!
Some state laws require that agencies maintain your information for 100 years
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