After I got a Social Security number for my son, the last piece of paperwork I needed was a birth certificate for my adopted child. While obtaining this document was technically not a rush, I was eager to put the adoption paperwork behind me. By the time my son was five months old, I had an adoption decree declaring him as my legal son, and I had a Social Security number. I was ready to end the adoption paperwork chapter of my life.

Unfortunately, my state is known for being particularly slow in issuing birth certificates for adopted children. The social worker told me to expect my son to be well over a year old before the birth certificate arrived. This was completely unacceptable to me, so I decided to do something about it.

I wrote letters to my congressional representatives about how long it takes to process adoption paperwork in my state. I did not ask them to do anything for me in particular but wanted to call the issue to their attention. I sent letters to my house representative and both state senators. A couple of weeks later, I was surprised to receive a copy of a letter that my house representative had sent to the agency in charge of issuing birth certificates in my state. My house representative gave instructions to fast track the issuance of my son's birth certificate, and the birth certificate arrived in my mailbox a couple of weeks later. In fact, I received my son's birth certificate months before many of my friends received theirs, even though they did not adopt their children.

While this might not happen in every situation, my congressional representative really came through for me, and I assure you that I come through for him at every election. Writing to your congressional representative is another tool that you can put in your toolbox when your adoption paperwork gets bogged down. Your representatives might not always be able to help out, but they can sometimes get things done in a much more expedient manner.

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Adoption Process: Obtain Birth Certificate and Social Security Card

Photo Credit: Lynda Bernhardt