Tips For The Safekeeping Of Important Documents for Korean Adoptees.
Posted to Paperslip on January 22nd, 2026.
During these unprecedented times, it is even more important for Korean Adoptees to safely store and protect their original Adoption Documents and Naturalization Documents.
We hope the following tips may be useful.
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We strongly recommend buying a waterproof / fireproof safe for storing your most important Adoption and Naturalization documents. Be sure to also use desiccants in your safe to prevent mold / mildew.
We strongly recommend purchasing a waterproof / fireproof safe for the storage of your *irreplaceable Adoption Documents and Naturalization Documents.
*Please NOTE: Under normal times, Adoptees have been able to obtain copies of their U.S. side adoption documents through a FREE FOIA request. However, as we explain on our FOIA page, FOIA requests are coming back up to 90% redacted. It may also be a dangerous time in which to make a FOIA request. So we recommend that you consult with a trusted U.S. immigr. attorney before making any such requests in the current environment.
It is also possible to replace your Naturalization documents. However, the cost is very expensive — over $500. We do strongly recommend that IF you have lost your Naturalization document/s, that you pay to replace them. Please be advised that you take your chances if you visit any USCIS offices in person.
The recommended safe below is large enough to hold adoption documents contained in archival plastic sleeves in a 3 ring binder, along with other documents. To get a sense of size, be sure to watch videos on YouTube about products you are researching. Sizes on Amazon are often deceiving, so be sure to make sure that the safe you purchase is LARGE enough to comfortably contain all of your documents.
The safe below is from Lowe’s, but you can purchase this on any home goods site or store or from Amazon. The Item Number for this particular safe below is from Lowe’s:
SentrySafe 2-cu ft Fire Resistant Waterproof Home safe with Electronic/Keypad Lock
Item #3790755 |
Model #SFW205GQC
Price: $427.59
While this safe is expensive, smaller safes are less expensive. This safe was chosen in order to contain a preponderance of documents.
We recommend SentrySafe brands, though you should definitely do your own research online before buying the safe that is right for you.
Please be advised that if you get a safe, there is risk of mildew / mold damage. For this reason, you should buy desiccant packs such as these to control for moisture when the safe is closed.
You need desiccants as without desiccants, your documents may begin to mildew or grow mold!
You need to open / air out any heavy duty safe every so often to cut down on moisture issues. So far, with desiccants, we have had no problems with mold or mildew.
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Make copies of your most important Adoption and Naturalization documents, and send them to trusted family members and / or friends for safekeeping.
We recommend making copies of your most important Adoption and Naturalization documents which you can also send to trusted family members and / or friends via email, and ask them to print these documents and keep them in a safe place.
Usually PDF format is the best format for documents — as almost anyone has the ability to print a PDF. Other formats may cause printing difficulties. But the most important thing is that you have backups, and that someone you TRUST has backups of your most valuable documents.
We recommend caution if you decide to share documents with other Korean Adoptees. Korean Adoptee friendships can be notoriously mercurial, so we just advise that you only send documents to those whom you REALLY trust.
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Do NOT post about any immigr. status issues online.
For the love of all things sacred, people, please STOP posting about status issues you have online. Please instead reach out to a trusted U.S. Immigr. Attorney such as Greg Luce of Adoptee Rights Law.