State Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad - Guam

Effect and Recognition of a Foreign Adoption Decree

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 19, § 4220

When an adoption has been judicially decreed by a court in the United States, such decree shall have the same force and effect as to matters within the jurisdiction of the territory of Guam as though it had been granted by the court.

Readoption After an Intercountry Adoption

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Application for a U.S. Birth Certificate

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 10, § 3215.1

The Registrar of Vital Statistics shall, upon request, establish a new certificate of birth for a person born in a foreign country on receipt of:

• A report of adoption decreed by a court of competent jurisdiction
• Proof of the date and place of the person's birth
• A request from the court, the adopting parent or parents, or the adopted person if he or she is age 18 or older, that such a certificate be prepared

The certificate shall be labeled 'Certificate of Foreign Birth' and shall show the actual country of birth. The certificate shall show the true or probable foreign country of birth and shall state that the certificate is not evidence of U.S. citizenship for the child for whom it is issued or for the adoptive parent or parents.

After registration of the Certificate of Foreign Birth in the new name of the adopted person, the registrar shall seal the report of adoption. The sealed report shall not be subject to inspection except upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction.