State Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad - Michigan

Effect and Recognition of a Foreign Adoption Decree

Citation: Comp. Laws § 710.21b

A court order or decree establishing the relationship of parent and child by adoption and issued by a court in another country is presumed to be issued in accordance with the laws of that country and 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 order or 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: Comp. Laws § 333.2830

If a child whose birth occurred outside the United States, a U.S. territory, or Canada is adopted by a resident of this State under the laws of this State or under the laws of a foreign country, the probate court, on motion of the adopting parent, may file a delayed registration of birth on a form provided by the Department of Public Health. The delayed registration shall contain the date and place of birth and other facts specified by the department.

If the date and place of birth of the child cannot be documented from foreign records or a medical assessment of the development of the child indicates that the date of birth as stated in the immigration records is not correct, the court shall determine the facts and establish a date and place of birth and may file a delayed registration of birth.

A probate court may, at the request of the adopting parent when filing a delayed registration of birth, enter a new name for the child on the delayed registration of birth. The new name shall be the legal name of the adopted child.