State Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad - Indiana

Effect and Recognition of a Foreign Adoption Decree

Citation: Ann. Code § 31-19-28-1

Whenever a person is adopted outside Indiana, under the laws of the State, territory, or country where the adoption took place:

• The adoption decree, when filed with the clerk of the court of any county in Indiana and when entered upon the order book of the court in open session, has the same force and effect as if the adoption decree were made in accordance with this article.
• The adopted person has the same rights and is capable of taking by inheritance, upon the death of the adoptive parent, property located in Indiana as though the person had been adopted according to the laws of Indiana.

The adopted person may request a new name in a petition filed under this section.

Readoption After an Intercountry Adoption

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Application for a U.S. Birth Certificate

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.