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Today we did it…we filed for adoption for our children in Hillsborough county, here in good old New Hampshire. A same sex adoption has NEVER been granted in this county, so we are holding our breaths to see what happens. The process was simply the most unwelcoming and unhelpful environment we have ever endured…… The clerk’s office stated that they did not have knowledge of new laws concerning and if there were new laws, they “were not given a copy of them”….. The forms in NH are so BAD and really need attention. Simply put, I was required to put my name on forms in places such as “biological parent” when I was petitioning to adopt with Claire together on the vital statistics form. The creation of statistical data that is clearly incorrect with full knowledge of international adoptions and same sex adoptions is unacceptable. I asked in every way I knew possible, IF the “petition to finalize the foreign adoption” was necessary ($210.00 fee) before the “Petition for Adoption” (another $210) was 100% necessary. The clerk would not, under ANY circumstances tell me if the “Petition to Adopt” would be accepted or not without the foreign finalization. I understand that she cannot give legitimate legal advice, but she CAN state what forms are required for filing a petition to adopt with an international adoption in place. So now, we have to wait and see if a court date is issued. If it is issued, it means that the adoption will be approved….if no court date is issued, then we will be contacted I assume.The waiting is hard…knowing if the new law is going to give us full rights to our children. We adopted Andrew 7 years ago and Adam 5 years ago. They actually REQUIRED a criminal background and DCYF check today! We had a full home study, INS approval, background checks, referrals, employment verification, and that was ONLY for the INS to approve our adoption BEFORE we went outside the country to adopt each of the boys….BUT, NH does not recognize the process…. I am very happy about all of this, and anxiously awaiting the “decision” to grant a hearing or not….Today we did it…we filed for adoption for our children in Hillsborough county, here in good old New Hampshire. A same sex adoption has NEVER been granted in this county, so we are holding our breaths to see what happens. The process was simply the most unwelcoming and unhelpful environment we have ever endured…… The clerk’s office stated that they did not have knowledge of new laws concerning and if there were new laws, they “were not given a copy of them”….. The forms in NH are so BAD and really need attention. Simply put, I was required to put my name on forms in places such as “biological parent” when I was petitioning to adopt with Claire together on the vital statistics form. The creation of statistical data that is clearly incorrect with full knowledge of international adoptions and same sex adoptions is unacceptable. I asked in every way I knew possible, IF the “petition to finalize the foreign adoption” was necessary ($210.00 fee) before the “Petition for Adoption” (another $210) was 100% necessary. The clerk would not, under ANY circumstances tell me if the “Petition to Adopt” would be accepted or not without the foreign finalization. I understand that she cannot give legitimate legal advice, but she CAN state what forms are required for filing a petition to adopt with an international adoption in place. So now, we have to wait and see if a court date is issued. If it is issued, it means that the adoption will be approved….if no court date is issued, then we will be contacted I assume.The waiting is hard…knowing if the new law is going to give us full rights to our children. We adopted Andrew 7 years ago and Adam 5 years ago. They actually REQUIRED a criminal background and DCYF check today! We had a full home study, INS approval, background checks, referrals, employment verification, and that was ONLY for the INS to approve our adoption BEFORE we went outside the country to adopt each of the boys….BUT, NH does not recognize the process…. I am very happy about all of this, and anxiously awaiting the “decision” to grant a hearing or not….