Resource Center

Roots Research Center
1st International Foster Care Conference in Athens, Greece
Theme: "Challenges for Fostering and After Care"
Click here for dates and information (PDF)

roots-research-center.gr
For additional resources in Greece please visit my close friends at their non-profit organization Roots Research Center at: roots-research-center.gr

"Butterbox" was a box that was outside the orphanage that infants were put into, then inside the orphanage after the person left and rang a bell they would take the infant out of the Butterbox into the orphanage.

If you are interested in purchasing this book from Greece please contact G.O.B.C. for information.

INS File (G-639 Form)
To get your copy of your INS file under the Freedom of Information Act with possible information on your adoption which may help in your search. Download this G-639 form, fill out, and send it in to your nearest INS office. Make sure you keep a copy and date you mailed.

INS Form G-639 Freedom of Information Act
http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/g-639.pdf
(To view, you will need Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader )

Language Translator
A free language translation site with Greek:
http://babel.altavista.com/tr/

Learning the Greek Language:
If interested in learning Greek this could be a helpful site:
http://www.xanthi.ilsp.gr/filog/

Apostille for Greece:
Greece uses an Apostille to legally try to get information on your adoption. I will explain how to get this Apostille in any state.

First you have to get a "Special Power of Attorney" form. You can get this at most any business supply store (email me so I can give you the name of the person in Greece to be used in it) and your name on it signed and notary stamped. Then you send your filled out "Special Power of Attorney" to your state capital to get a request for the Apostille poa . They then will send back to you an Apostille signed personally or state stamp by your Secretary of State along with your "Special Power of Attorney". It is a state seal and/or signature that is needed in Greece. This is the point where it takes the most time, usually about 10 working days. The cost is only about 15 USD, but takes time.

It goes a little faster if you use an attorney, (but not much more faster) but can be done by the person themselves. One thing I would advise is make copies then after one week of sending the poa in to get the Apostille call the Secretary of State office to see if they received your Apostille request, and if it has been signed and mailed to you.

The Apostille will be sent to one of my contacts in Greece to be translated to the Office of Foreign Ministry, there is a court fee for the translation that you would have to pay when you send the Apostille to Greece.

Email G.O.B.C after you have the Apostille, and I will give the address where to send the Apostille in Greece.