State Recognition of Intercountry Adoptions Finalized Abroad - Rhode Island

Effect and Recognition of a Foreign Adoption Decree

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Readoption After an Intercountry Adoption

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Application for a U.S. Birth Certificate

Citation: Gen. Laws §§ 23-3-15(e); 23-3-15.1

The State registrar will, upon request, prepare and register a certificate of foreign birth for a foreign-born child who is not a U.S. citizen and who was adopted in State court when it receives:

• A report of adoption from the court decreeing the adoption
• Proof of the date and place of the child's birth
• A request from the court, the adopting parents, or the adopted person who is age 18 or older that a certificate be prepared

The certificate shall be labeled 'certificate of foreign birth' and shall show the actual country of birth.

After registration of the certificate in the new name of the adopted person, the State registrar will seal and file the report of adoption. The report will not be subject to inspection except upon court order or as provided by regulation.

A child who has automatically acquired U.S. citizenship following a foreign adoption and possesses a certificate of citizenship in accordance with the Child Citizenship Act (P.L. 106-395) is exempt from provisions that require judicial procedures and reports to obtain a new birth certificate. The State registrar must, upon written request, prepare a certificate of foreign birth for a child who was born in a foreign country, adopted by a U.S. citizen, and has acquired citizenship when it receives the following documents:

• Certificate of citizenship
• Foreign birth certificate
• Original documents certified by the U.S. embassy abroad
• Permanent U.S. identification card
• Social Security card