State Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad - Massachusetts

Effect and Recognition of a Foreign Adoption Decree

Citation: Ann. Laws Ch. 210, § 9

An adoption decree issued abroad in accordance with the laws of that country will have the same effect on the adopted child's rights of succession to property by grant, trust settlement, entail, devise, bequest, or by intestacy as would an adoption granted by 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. Laws Ch. 46, § 1B

Any resident of the State who is the parent of a child born outside the State may personally present to the town clerk of the town where such parent was domiciled at the time of the birth, or in the case of an adopted child, at the time of the adoption, an original certificate or other written evidence of the birth, and a certified copy of the adoption decree if adopted, or a duly authenticated photocopy thereof. The town clerk may file such documents as evidence establishing the birth or adoption, or may make a copy thereof, which he shall attest as a true copy, and which he may then file as such evidence.