|
|
***If you don't know your username and password, need help with logging in, or how to post, refer to the "Help" menu in the navigation bar OR click these links:
How do I Post a Message to the Message Board? or
How do I Get my Username & Password?
|
Since you have not logged in you have access to only read the messageboard.
Please click on the Login button to be able to post as well.
|
[
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
]
|
Brooklyn Name change process-- very long!! <by David Mansfield & Maggie Greenwald 6/14/2002> (0 replys)
|
 |
Here is some info we have compiled, both from other parents and from our own experiences, on how to do an infant name change in Brooklyn.
=====================================
Get the following forms from the Brooklyn Civil Court, 141 Livingston Street, Room 906 “Special Term” (please note that the court has absolutely no identifying markings on the outside!);
• Change Of Name Application;
• Petition For Individual Minor’s Name Change;
• Parental Affidavit of Consent;
• Order Granting Leave to Change Name.
When you get to Room 906, go to the end of the counter. If there are people using the computer terminal on the counter, just walk past them. They are checking the status of other civil cases, and you are not being rude in walking past them. One of the clerks sitting at the six or so desks in the room will ask you if you need help, and just tell them you are doing a Name Change Petition for your adopted daughter.
There will also be a brief General Information sheet included with the forms.
Either you or your spouse (if married) will be the Petitioner, and the other spouse will fill out the Affidavit of Consent. The Petitioner should be one with the time and flexibility to go to the Civil Court and get the paperwork processed. It makes no difference which one of you is the Petitioner.
You need to show proof of residency and photo ID:
• bring some kind of bill (utility, cable TV, etc.) that has the Petitioner’s name on it and shows their address;
• bring photo ID of both you and your spouse; a passport is the best.
You have to attach copies of the following documents to the Petition:
• the Chinese adoption certificate, with certified english translation;
• the Chinese birth certificate, with certified english translation;
• the INS permanent resident card (“green card”);
• the Chinese Passport.
Bring the originals of all these documents as well as a photocopy. When you get to the Court, a clerk will compare the originals to the copies attached to your Petition, and then give you back your originals.
The clerks at the court are not allowed to fill out the forms for you. They are complicated and confusing. At the counter in Room 906 there are example forms to help you fill them out correctly. Fill out as much of the form while you are there so you can refer to them often. Also ask one of the clerks if you have any questions; they are experienced and helpful.
There are places in the forms where both you and your spouse will need a notarized signature.
Make sure that whenever you enter your child’s name (or your own, or your spouse’s) that you enter it exactly as shown on your other official documents (passport, green card, etc.). Write your child’s Chinese name as shown on her green card, not her Chinese Passport.
Once you finish filling out all the forms the clerk will then check over your original Petition, Order and Spousal Consent Affidavit and verify that they are filled out completely and correctly. They will compare your original documents with the photocopies to be annexed to your Petition. That should be the one and only time you will need to show the originals. After checking the papers, the clerk will put a few stamps in the blanks on the form of the Order, and will give you an instruction sheet telling you what to do.
At this point go make yourself one or two extra sets of the entire package. Find a neighborhood copy shop to do this. There is a photocopy machine at the Court, which charges 15 cents per page, but you really don't want to stand there making lots of copies.
Follow the instructions on the sheet to complete processing the Petition, as follows:
• The first thing the sheet will tell you to do is to take the approved originals to the Cashiers Office -- Room 303 on the 3d floor -- and to purchase an index number. Before you do this you have to make a copy of the first page of the Order. You can do this at one of the two photocopy machines outside Room 303. Make sure you bring change.
• When you enter Room 303, go to the single window on the far side of the room -- the cashiers window -- and tell the clerk that you are purchasing an index number. You must pay a $50 filing fee to purchase this index number; bring cash, as they do not take a personal check. Again the clerks are quite helpful. The clerk will take your original Petition, Spousal Affidavit and Order, along with the fee; and stamp the papers with the file number assigned to your Petition. The clerk will then give you back your original documents, along with a receipt for the filing fee, and will keep the copy you made.
• The instructions will then tell you where to go to present the Petition to a judge to sign the Order you have prepared and the clerks have stamped. You don't actually see the judge, but just give the original Petition, Spousal Affidavit and Order to the court officer, who then takes them into the judge. The clerk then brings the signed Order, together with the original papers and gives them all back to you.
• The instructions will tell you to then take the signed Order and other papers back to the 3d floor and to make copies. There are two photocopy machines outside Room 303. Now make a full legible copy of the signed Order with all of the stamps placed on it by the clerks in Rooms 906 and 303. Since you have already made a copy of the Petition and the Spousal Affidavit for your files, the signed Order is the only document you have to copy. Make sure the copy you make is complete.
• Sixth, take the original Petition, Order and Spousal Affidavit back to the clerk in Room 906. You are now finished with processing the Petition. The whole thing should take about an hour and a half.
Follow the instructions in the Order signed by the Court.
• In the Order, the Court will direct the publication of the name change application in a local paper. For some reason, the Civil Court most often specifies the Brooklyn Record. Th
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sitter available in Brooklyn <by Katherine Evans 5/13/2002> (0 replys)
|
|
My niece has just completed her master's degree and will
start her new job in September. In the meantime, she is
interested in locating babysitting work in Park Slope
and Manhattan. She accompanied me to China 3 yrs ago
when I adopted my daughter and she was an invaluable
help to all the parents in our group. I can attest to the
fact that she is terrific with children of all ages. She
has worked with infants and new mothers in her previous
job. She is available for evening and day work. Paige
can be reached at 917-446-9970 or she can be emailed at
ptrabulsi@hotmail.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Seeking Playgroup <by Barbara 3/21/2002> (1 replys)
|
|
Hi,
We live in Roslyn Heights and would love to join, or form, a playgroup. We brought our daughter home from China this past Feb. 7th. She is now 19 mos old and is adjusting beautifully. I'd love some playmates for her. Please contact me if you are interested.
Thanks,
Barbara
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chinese papercutter <by Candy Gulko 1/9/2004> (0 replys)
|
|
I am trying to find someone who does Chinese papercutting to entertain at my daughter's birthday party. I saw someone at the 23rd street library about a year ago. He made all sorts of crowns and animals for the kids. Thanks. (please e-mail me at csgulko@aol.com)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upper West Side Play Group Forming <by Shelley 9/2/2003> (0 replys)
|
|
I'd like to start a Monday afternoon post-nap play group for girls in the 2-3 range. My daughter is a little over 2 and a half. I am happy to have help from either other adoptive parents or caregivers in getting this going over the next month or so. e-mail me for any additional info: srm319@bway.net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jewish/Asian Cultural Group <by Debbie Halperin 1/30/2004> (0 replys)
|
|
There are families in the Rockland/Westchester/Bergen counties area that are interested in forming a Jewish/Asian Cultural Group. We had a Hanukkah party that was huge success. We are in the midst of planning our Purim celebration, as well as other fun events. The group is open to anyone who is interested. For more information, email me at profdeb@optonline.net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
