Adoption Law Office of Meeting with Mr. Bull: Birney O'Brian Bull 1903 Abercorn Street _________________ P. O. Box 9811 Final Hearing: Savannah, Georgia 31412-0011 __________________ 912-Adopt-Need (912-236-7863) Judge / File #: Fax: 912-Adopt-11 __________________ Directions to 1903 Abercorn Street: If coming on I-16 from outside Savannah, take the 37th Street exit (about a mile before downtown Savannah), stay on 37th to Abercorn (some 10 blocks), turn left, and our office is a block and a half on the left, at 35th Lane and Abercorn. There's no sign at 1903, only the sign at 1901, the law firm next door: Phillips, Carson and Phillips, LLC, so look for that. There is usually free parking on the street, but there is additional free parking in our lot behind the building. As for the Chatham County Courthouse (if you have to go there for the final hearing on a Chatham County adoption petition), it is at 133 Montgomery Street (it looks like a big block of granite). I-16 merges into Montgomery Street in downtown Savannah (3rd & last "exit" after 37th Street), the courthouse will be on the left, just before the 3rd traffic light, which is Broughton Street. Allow about 15 minutes for parking --- it can be an ordeal. Parking is tight everywhere in downtown Savannah, and on top of that, construction could foul up these instructions. There is usually space available in the County Courthouse garage next to the courthouse (enter on MLK --- turn left on Broughton, then left again on MLK; public parking ONLY on floor 3 and above), or in the City garage across Montgomery from the front of the courthouse. The garages may have more expensive hourly rates, but they're usually more convenient than parking at a meter or "Pay to Park" machine, where Parking Enforcement has been known to sit and wait for the last minute expire to put a ticket under the windshield wiper. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LEGAL STEPS FORM: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This text file has all the information we need to help you with Georgia's adoption-related proceedings. Fill it in and return a copy to us as an e-mail attachment. (It gets VERY specific about names and such ... this is because the amended birth certificate needs to have names exactly right, and to do that, we need to get them all exactly right from the start. So, sorry it's so picky, but that's what we need to do. Do not think that leaving names out for simplicity here will be OK ... to have them fully spelled out on the final amended birth certificate, please spell them out fully on this form.) Also, this form gives you the best combination of speed, accuracy, security, and convenience. (For example, it is easier than the website form when it comes to copying-and-pasting the same information into several answers). It also has instructions at the end for the final hearing. You can open it in WordPerfect, MS Word, or even a text editor like Notepad. (Believe it or not, we use WordPerfect! --- still the best word processor for law offices --- so if you somehow have that option, that would be easiest for us.) Save it in .txt, MS Word, or WordPerfect format and attach a copy to an e-mail back to us. You can encrypt it if you want --- just make sure you call us with the password or send it in a separate e-mail. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please answer each question below as best you can. Do the best you can if you aren't sure what to put for any question. And let me emphasize ... PLEASE! Answer these things both ACCURATELY and FULLY: Any misspellings or mistakes can be carried over MANY TIMES in the necessary papers. Also, PUT WHAT YOU WANT TO APPEAR ON THE AMENDED BIRTH CERTIFICATE(S). Put EVERY name for EVERYONE involved, including names no longer used, etc. If you put down too much, fine. If you put down too little, we'll all end up regretting that. Fill in EVERYTHING. Don't just assume that an answer doesn't "matter." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Your Contact Information: Q:Client --- Your Name, Phone, E-Mail Address, Mailing Address, City, State ZIP, and WHO REFERRED YOU TO US A: Q:Meeting --- Date and Time of Any Appointment We Have (or the Appointment You Want) A: Q:Agency --- Names and All Contact Info for All Agencies Involved A: Q:TypeAdopt --- Type of Adoption [Delete all that do not apply:] Independent [No Agency] Private Agency [Domestic] DFCS [Department of Family and Child Services] International Finalization in Georgia [International Agency] International Finalization in Georgia [No Agency] Grandchild Great-Grandchild Niece Nephew Great-Niece Great-Nephew Sister Brother Stepfather Stepmother Adult [Adoptee Age 18 or Older] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Child (or Adult) to Be Adopted: Q:K1 --- Child's Current Full Name A: Q:K1B --- Child's Full Name at Birth A: Q:K1A --- Desired Full Name for Child After Adoption A: Q:K1Gn --- Child's Gender A: Q:K1DOB --- Child's Date and TIME of Birth (one or both are usually on the child's Birth Certificate) A: Q:K1OBC# --- Child's Birth Certificate Number (in Georgia, this number is in the upper right corner) A: Q:K1BCty --- Child's City of Birth A: Q:K1BCnty --- Child's County of Birth A: Q:K1BSt --- Child's State of Birth A: Q:K1Plc --- Reasons, Circumstances, and DATE of Child's Placement for Adoption (Include Roles of All Agencies Involved) A: Q:K1Prp --- Significant Property Child Owns (real estate, stocks, trust account, etc.) A: Q:K1Adr --- Child's Current Address & DATE FIRST LIVED THERE A: Q:K1Cty --- Child's Current City of Residence A: Q:K1St --- Child's Current State of Residence A: Q:K1Zip --- Child's Current ZIP A: Q:K1Cnty --- Child's Current County of Residence A: Q:Guardian --- Names of all LEGAL Guardians and name of court(s) that granted the guardianship(s) A: Q:K1NBC --- Amend Child's Birth Certificate to Show New Parents and Name? If so, indicate number of Original Amended Birth Certificates Desired (Amendment is recommended, and 2 or 3 are recommended --- photocopies are often not accepted, and the cost of additional originals at the same time is minimal) A: [ YES / NO ] #: ____________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current (or deceased) Mother of Child: Q:BMom --- Birthmother's Full Name Now A: Q:BMomMdNm --- Birthmother's Full Maiden Name [Please Use This Format: FirstName MiddleName MaidenName (now MarriedName)] A: Q:MomSurr --- Will Current Mother Sign Her Consent to the Adoption? A: Q:BMomApv --- Did Current Mother Give Birth to the Child, or Adopt the Child Herself? Is She Still Alive? A: Q:BMomAdr --- Current Mother's Address(es) [also include address shown on child's birth certificate] A: Q:BMomCty --- Current Mother's City of Residence A: Q:BMomSt --- Current Mother's State of Residence A: Q:BMomZip --- Current Mother's ZIP A: Q:BMomCnty --- Current Mother's County of Residence A: Q:BMomPh --- Current Mother's Phone Number(s) A: Q:BMomDOB --- Current Mother's Date of Birth A: Q:BMomSS --- Current Mother's Social Security Number A: Q:BMomBCty --- Current Mother's City of Birth A: Q:BMomBCnty --- Current Mother's County of Birth A: Q:BMomBSt --- Current Mother's State of Birth A: Q:BMomInd --- If Current Mother Is a Native American (Indian) Tribe Member, which one? A: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current (or deceased) Father of Child: Q:BDad --- Current (or deceased) Father of Child (and all others who may claim to be the child's father) HOWEVER --- AND THIS IS CRITICAL!!! --- THE EXISTING MOTHER HAS THE RIGHT NOT TO NAME THE EXISTING FATHER, ... (FOR SAFETY REASONS, FOR EXAMPLE.) IF SHE WANTS NOT TO NAME HIM, ... SHE MUST NOT EVEN TELL <<>> WHAT HIS NAME IS, BECAUSE IF ANYONE ELSE KNOWS, OR LEARNS, HIS NAME, THE LAW REQUIRES US TO DISCLOSE THE ADOPTION PROCEEDING TO HIM, <<>>. So ... if you do not know his name for this kind of reason, just put "NO ID" for his name and leave the rest of his information blank. OTHERWISE, PLEASE <<>> PUT HIS INFO HERE so we can give him the legally required notice.) A: Q:DadSurr --- As to Each Actual or Claimed Father, Will He Sign His Consent to the Adoption? Is He the Child's Birthfather or Adoptive Father? Is He Still Alive? A: Q:BDadLgl --- As to Each Actual or Claimed Father, Is He the "Legal" Father (Married to Mother Any Time Since Conception; Under Child Support Order; etc.)? A: Q:BDadNtc --- [Leave Blank] Q:ParSpec --- Any Other Special Circumstances Regarding the Current Parents? A: Q:BDadAdr --- As to Each Actual or Claimed Father, Residence Address(es) A: Q:BDadCty --- As to Each Actual or Claimed Father, City of Residence A: Q:BDadSt --- As to Each Actual or Claimed Father, State of Residence A: Q:BDadZip --- As to Each Actual or Claimed Father, ZIP of Residence A: Q:BDadCnty --- As to Each Actual or Claimed Father, County of Residence A: Q:BDadPh --- As to Each Actual or Claimed Father, All Phone Number(s) A: Q:BDadDOB --- Date of Birth for Each Actual or Claimed Father A: Q:BDadSS --- Social Security # of Each Actual or Claimed Father A: Q:BDadBCty --- Birth City of Each Actual or Claimed Father A: Q:BDadBCnty --- Birth County of Each Actual or Claimed Father A: Q:BDadBSt --- Birth State of Each Actual or Claimed Father A: Q:BDadInd --- If Any Actual or Claimed Father Is a Native American (Indian) Tribe Member, which one? A: Q:BDadMil --- If Any Actual or Claimed Father Is on Active Military Duty, List the Branch and Current Mailing Address A: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adoptive Mother of Child: Q:AMom --- Adoptive Mother's Full Name (for stepfather adoption, enter current mother's data) A: Q:AMomMdNm --- Adoptive Mother's Full Maiden Name [Please Use This Format: FirstName MiddleName MaidenName (now MarriedName)] A: Q:AMomPh --- Adoptive Mother's Work Phone(s), E-Mail Address A: Q:AHomPh --- Adoptive Family's Home Phone(s), E-Mail Address A: Q:AMomDOB --- Adoptive Mother's Date of Birth A: Q:AMomSS --- Adoptive Mother's Social Security # A: Q:AMomBSt --- Adoptive Mother's Place of Birth (City, County, State) A: Q:AMomUS --- Is Adoptive Mother a U.S. citizen? A: Q:AMomAdrK1db --- Address Adoptive Mother Had on Birth Date of Adopted Child (When the child's birth certificate is amended, this address will replace the birthmother's address, so this means the adoptive mother's residence on the child's date of birth) A: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adoptive Father of Child: Q:ADad --- Adoptive Father's Full Name (for stepmother adoption, enter current father's data) A: Q:ADadPh --- Adoptive Father's Work Phone(s), E-Mail Address A: Q:ADadDOB --- Adoptive Father's Date of Birth A: Q:ADadSS --- Adoptive Father's Social Security # A: Q:ADadBSt --- Adoptive Father's Place of Birth (City, County, State) A: Q:ADadUS --- Is Adoptive Father a U.S. citizen? A: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adoptive Family Information: Q:AMarital --- Marital Status of Adoptive Parent(s) / Date of Marriage A: Q:AAdr --- Residence Address of Adoptive Parent(s) A: Q:ACty --- Residence City of Adoptive Parent(s) A: Q:ASt --- Residence State of Adoptive Parent(s) A: Q:AZip --- Residence ZIP of Adoptive Parent(s) A: Q:ACnty --- Residence County of Adoptive Parent(s) A: Q:PovAfd --- Adoptive Parent(s) Unable to Pay $200.00+ Filing Fee for Petition? (Remember, adoption petitioners are telling the Court they can afford to raise the kids.) A: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adoption Law Office of Meeting with Mr. Bull: Birney O'Brian Bull 1903 Abercorn Street P. O. Box 9811 ________________________________ Savannah, Georgia 31412 0011 Final Hearing: 912-Adopt-Need (912-236-7863) Fax: 912-Adopt-11 ________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIST OF COPIES TO MAKE 1. These papers do not fax clearly; if you cannot scan them to PDF and e-mail them, either let us copy them when we meet, or mail copies to us at P.O. Box 9811, Savannah, Georgia 31412-0011. 2. We will NOT need ANYONE'S Social Security card, and we will NOT need any PARENT'S birth certificate. 3. You will need to bring the originals of these papers to the Final Hearing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Domestic: -- each adoptee: birth certificate, any guardianship documentation -- birth parents: current marriage certificate (not just the license) / most recent child support order / legitimation decree(s) / DNA test results / death certificate(s) / divorce decree(s): most recent, and any divorce decree mentioning adoptee(s) -- adoptive parents: current marriage certificate (not just the license) / most recent divorce decree / death certificate of last spouse of unmarried adoptive parent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International: -- each adoptee: the final foreign adoption or guardianship decree & verified English translation / translator's qualification statement / translator's complete name, and current address / Visa granting the child entry to the United States (may be just a stamp in child's passport) / child's original and any amended birth certificate & verified translation -- adoptive parents: the home study completed for US Citizenship and Immigration Services / current marriage license / divorce decree / death certificate of last spouse of unmarried adoptive parent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINAL HEARING INSTRUCTIONS These instructions will help you prepare for the final hearing. When we call you with the hearing date and time, fill them in: Final Hearing: Date: ________________ Time: ________________ After your Petition is filed, we will call you with the date and time of the final hearing. If you live in Chatham County, its courthouse is the big granite block of a building at 133 Montgomery Street, downtown, on the left of Montgomery Street just before you get to Broughton Street. If you live in another county, make sure you know where its Superior Court is. In any event, meet 10-15 minutes ahead of time in the courthouse lobby. (We may have other adoptions being finalized at that time.) All Petitioners and Adoptees should be present for the final hearing. (Let us know if this is a problem.) Also, bring the originals of all documents you have copied to us. Because everything will be done beforehand, the hearing with the judge should only take about 5 minutes. It's usually done in the judge's office or some private office, not a courtroom. Other family members and close family friends can also attend. Be sure to bring a camera -- it is an important day for all of you! We usually use a smart phone to take pictures at final hearings, and we can e-mail those pictures to you if you remind us via e-mail to do it. After the hearing, we should be able to get the Certificates of Adoption and certified copies of the Final Decree(s) in the Clerk's office. The Clerk will send the paperwork for the amended birth certificates to the Vital Records office in Atlanta. That is a clumsy, bureaucratic process that is out of our control ... it could take anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months or even more, and the longer it takes, the worse we look! We ask that the amended birth certificates be sent to us so we can proof them before forwarding to you. If you will be moving, please warn us so things will not get lost in the mail! (In fact, if you move at any time during the adoption process, please keep us advised of how to contact you! UNTIL THEN, YOUR CERTIFIED COPY OF THE FINAL DECREE SHOULD SATISFY ALL LEGAL NEEDS (Social Security, doctor, school, and so on). The amendment process merely carries out the court's order. (For example, Social Security should honor it to revise their records. Be sure to tell them whether you want to keep the same numbers or get new ones.) If you have trouble with anyone on this, have them call us.