Although States recognize foreign adoption decrees, adoptive parents of internationally adopted children will need to obtain additional documents for their children, such as birth certificates (obtained through States' vital records offices), Social Security numbers, U.S. passports, and certificates of citizenship. Most children adopted from abroad acquire U.S. citizenship when they enter the United States due to the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.
Readoption, the process of adopting a child who was previously adopted in another jurisdiction, is also required in some intercountry adoptions and recommended in others. This section provides resources to help families obtain the documents and health coverage that are necessary for your internationally adopted child, along with information on readoption. It is imperative that adoptive parents ensure that their child acquires U.S. citizenship immediately upon entering the country. Some children who were legally adopted and have been U.S. residents for most of their lives learn later that they do not hold U.S. citizenship because their adoptive parents did not readopt or fulfill citizenship requirements.
Birth certificate, passport, & Social Security number
How to Prove Citizenship for an Adopted Child
Social Security Administration
Describes what is needed and steps to apply for a Social Security number for foreign-born adopted children.
U.S. Passports: Children Under 16
U.S. Department of State
Provides information on obtaining a passport for children under age 16.
Where to Write for Vital Records
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics
Provides contact information for vital records offices in each State and territory to obtain birth certificates.
Citizenship
FAQ: Child Citizenship Act of 2000
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
Presents information on the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, through which most children adopted from abroad acquire U.S. citizenship when they enter the United States.
Obtaining Citizenship or Documenting Acquired Citizenship for Adopted Children
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
Explains how to obtain citizenship in situations of intercountry adoption and documentation of U.S. citizenship.
U.S. Citizenship for an Adopted Child
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Provides information on how to obtain U.S. citizenship for an internationally adopted child.
Health coverage
Federal and State Law Require Health Care Insurers to Provide Coverage to Adopted Children at Time of Legal Placement
AdoptHelp
Discusses the legal requirement for health insurers to cover adopted children starting at the time the child is legally placed in the adoptive parents' custody.
How to Add an Adopted Child to an Insurance Policy
Mueller (2019)
WikiHow
Reviews how health insurance companies are required by law to provide the same coverage for adopted children that they would for any other child and presents steps on how to get insurance coverage for your adopted child once they join your family.
Readoption
Hague Visa Process
U.S. Department of State
Describes the types of visas granted to children adopted from Convention countries and explains the steps in the visa application process.
Non-Hague Visa Process
U.S. Department of State
Describes the types of visas granted to children adopted from non-Convention countries and explains the steps in the visa application process.
When You Need an International Re-Adoption
Considering Adoption
Provides information on international readoption and why this may be required or recommended in cases of adoption from other countries. The website defines readoption, discusses visa requirements, and lists benefits of readoption.