State Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad - Oklahoma

Effect and Recognition of a Foreign Adoption Decree

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10, § 7502-1.4(A)

The courts of this State shall recognize a decree, judgment, or final order creating the relationship of parent and child by adoption, issued by a court or other governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction in a foreign country or in another State or territory of the United States. The rights and obligations of the parties as to matters within the jurisdiction of this State shall be determined as though the decree, judgment, or final order were issued by a court of this State.

Readoption After an Intercountry Adoption

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10, § 7502-1.4(D)-(E)

An adoptive parent of a minor adopted outside of the United States may petition to readopt the minor under Oklahoma law if one or both of the petitioners are citizens of Oklahoma and the minor is residing in Oklahoma at the time the adoption petition is filed. A proceeding to adopt a minor born outside of the United States shall proceed pursuant to the Oklahoma Adoption Code with the following provisions:

• The court may grant a decree of adoption without requiring notice to the biological parent and without requiring the consent of the biological parent if the petitioner files with the petition for adoption:
  • A copy of the termination of parental rights granted by a judicial, administrative, or executive body of the country of origin
  • A document or documents from such a governmental body stating any of the following:
    • The biological parent has consented to the adoption.
    • The parental rights of the biological parent of the minor have been terminated.
    • The minor to be adopted has been relinquished by the biological parent.
    • The minor has been abandoned.
• Any document in a foreign language shall be translated into English by the U.S. Department of State or by a translator who shall certify the accuracy of the translation, and a copy of the translation and certification shall be filed with the court along with a copy of the original documents.
• The court may waive the issuance of an interlocutory decree of adoption and the waiting period of 6 months provided in title 10, §§ 7505-6.1 and 7505-6.3, and grant a final decree of adoption if:
  • The minor has been in the home of petitioner for at least 6 months prior to the filing of the petition for adoption.
  • A postplacement report has been submitted to the court.

Application for a U.S. Birth Certificate

Citation: Ann. Stat. Tit. 10, § 7502-1.4(B)

An adoptive parent of a minor adopted outside of the United States with a decree, judgment, or final order issued by a court or other governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction in a foreign country may present the decree, judgment, or final order or present proof that the minor has U.S. citizenship to the court in combination with a petition for a name change. Upon presentation of a decree, judgment, or final order or if the minor presents proof of U.S. citizenship, the court shall order the State registrar to prepare a supplementary certificate of birth for the child, as provided for in title 10, § 7505-6.6, unless good cause is shown why the certificate should not be issued.