Completing Intercountry Adoptions Not Finalized Abroad

This publication provides an overview of Federal requirements that apply to adoptions of children born outside the United States by U.S. citizens that are finalized after the children have been admitted to the United States. It discusses requirements for completing the adoption in the parents' State of residence, receiving a new State-issued birth certificate for the child, and gaining recognition of U.S. citizenship for the child. This publication presents a general overview of this aspect of child welfare law. Summaries of laws on this topic for all individual States and U.S. territories are available from the State Statutes Search page.

Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2019). Completing intercountry adoptions not finalized abroad. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau. https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/laws-policies/statutes/intercountryadoptions/

This publication is a product of the State Statutes Series prepared by Child Welfare Information Gateway. While every attempt has been made to be as complete as possible, additional information on these topics may be in other sections of a State's code as well as agency regulations, case law, and informal practices and procedures.

This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.