State Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad - Arkansas

Effect and Recognition of a Foreign Adoption Decree

Citation: Ann. Code § 9-9-218

A court decree establishing the relationship of parent and child by adoption issued pursuant to due process of law by a court of any other jurisdiction within or without 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: Ann. Code § 20-18-406(f)

The State Registrar of Vital Statistics will, upon request, prepare and register an Arkansas certificate of birth for a foreign-born person who is not a U.S. citizen and for whom a final decree of adoption was entered by an Arkansas court when it receives:

• A certificate of adoption
• Proof of the date and place of the adopted child's birth
• A request by the court decreeing the adoption, the adoptive parents, or the adopted person who is age 18 or older

After preparation of the certificate in the new name of the adopted person, the State registrar will seal and file the report of adoption that will not be unsealed except upon court order or as provided by State law.

The birth certificate will show the actual foreign country of birth and will state that it is not evidence of U.S. citizenship for the child.