State Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad - Alaska

Effect and Recognition of a Foreign Adoption Decree

Citation: Alaska Stat. § 25.23.160

A court decree establishing the relationship of parent and child by adoption issued under due process of law by a court of any other jurisdiction within or outside of the United States shall be recognized in this State. The rights and obligations of the parties as to matters within the jurisdiction of this State shall be determined as though the decree were issued by a court of this State.

Readoption After an Intercountry Adoption

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Application for a U.S. Birth Certificate

Citation: Alaska Stat. §§ 25.23.170; 18.50.211

The State registrar will, upon request by an adopted person or adoptive parents, issue a certificate of birth for a foreign-born person who was adopted by State residents when it receives:

• An adoption report
• Information necessary to identify the original certificate of birth
• If there is no original certificate of birth, the court findings as to the true or probable date and place of birth and parentage of the adopted person

The certificate will be in a form prescribed by the State registrar and will state that it is not evidence of U.S. citizenship for the child.

Upon proof of naturalization, an amended certificate of birth will be issued that deletes the statement that the certificate is not evidence of U.S. citizenship.