Adoption of children

[Torete 121]

Good day,

My wife, (LPR) and myself (USC) are exploring our options as to my adopting her two minor children and having them take my family name. They both live with us in the U.S. Are the name change and adoption two separate issues exclusive of one another?

The children's father (Citizen of the Philippines) is remarried and has a child from that marriage.

Could anyone share some constructive advice on what the requirements are to facilitate their name change/adoption and what options we have? For instance, can/would the adoption have to be initiated in the U.S. or is that something that needs to be undertaken in the Philippines? Is the father's consent necessary and if so, what steps would we need to take provided he's amenable to it?

Thank you in advance for your input.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Good day,

My wife, (LPR) and myself (USC) are exploring our options as to my adopting her two minor children and having them take my family name. They both live with us in the U.S. Are the name change and adoption two separate issues exclusive of one another?

The children's father (Citizen of the Philippines) is remarried and has a child from that marriage.

Could anyone share some constructive advice on what the requirements are to facilitate their name change/adoption and what options we have? For instance, can/would the adoption have to be initiated in the U.S. or is that something that needs to be undertaken in the Philippines? Is the father's consent necessary and if so, what steps would we need to take provided he's amenable to it?

Thank you in advance for your input.

Children are in the USA , you will have to follow the guidelines for the state you live in.

[Carla V 43]

Did you needed the consent of the father for them to live here in the US?? Did the father loose or gave up parental rights???? If he still have the rights I think you do need a consent.

For the adoption itself check the state laws of where you live...

Hope you dont have issues!!!

[Torete 121]

Ok, thank you Hank. So in our case, it will be the state of Washington; we'll look into those requirements. For clarification, does ANYTHING need to take place in the Philippines or any requirements or action we'll need to take?

[Torete 121]

Did you needed the consent of the father for them to live here in the US?? Did the father loose or gave up parental rights???? If he still have the rights I think you do need a consent.

For the adoption itself check the state laws of where you live...

Hope you dont have issues!!!

Hi Carla V,

Yes, we obtained the consent of the father and brought both children to the U.S. No, the father didn't lose or give up his parental rights. Yes, we'll look into the adoption laws here in Washington state.

I also hope we don't have any issues but we're not naive either and it may simply boil down to asking the father for his permission which we're not sure he'll give.

Does anyone know what for the father's "consent" consists of? A simple piece of paper with a statement from him agreeing to their name change/adoption? Court document? Notarization?

Edited May 14, 2014 by Torete

[Hank_ 9,174]

Ok, thank you Hank. So in our case, it will be the state of Washington; we'll look into those requirements. For clarification, does ANYTHING need to take place in the Philippines or any requirements or action we'll need to take?

In the Philippines the mother has sole custody of the children unless stipulated in court documents otherwise, so nothing is needed from the father, not even when leaving the country.

The children are LPR as well -

[Torete 121]

In the Philippines the mother has sole custody of the children unless stipulated in court documents otherwise, so nothing is needed from the father, not even when leaving the country.

The children are LPR as well -

Thank you Hank. That's what we thought regarding custody of the children. The issued court order was somewhat vague in that it didn't overtly stipulate anything otherwise; I don't have the order in front of me to peruse it again.

We did however secure a signed copy of "agreement" that he was allowing the children to depart the Philippines (a number of years ago) simply so there wouldn't be any "misunderstanding" with Philippines Immigration when trying to board the aircraft to the U.S.

Correct, the children are both LPR's. So it seems then that we won't be required to fulfill any requirements or otherwise with Philippine authorities. That would be a relief/blessing.

So it seems that we'll now need to petition the court here in Washington state to set the wheels in motion for adoption.

Unless anyone else has additional information that may enhance Hank's comments?