USC Subchapter III

42 U.S.C. § 14931 Adoptions of children immigrating to the United States

(a) Legal effect of certificates issued by the Secretary of State(1) Issuance of certificates by the Secretary of StateThe Secretary of State shall, with respect to each Convention adoption, issue a certificate to the adoptive citizen parent domiciled in the United States that the adoption has been granted or, in the case of a prospective adoptive citizen parent, that legal custody of the child has been granted to the citizen parent for purposes of emigration and adoption, pursuant to the Convention and this chapter, if the Secretary of State—(A) receives appropriate notification from the central authority of such child’s country of origin; and (B) has verified that the requirements of the Convention and this chapter have been met with respect to the adoption. (2) Legal effect of certificatesIf appended to an original adoption decree, the certificate described in paragraph (1) shall be treated by Federal and State agencies, courts, and other public and private persons and entities as conclusive evidence of the facts certified therein and shall constitute the certification required by section 1154(d)(2) of title 8. (b) Legal effect of Convention adoption finalized in another Convention countryA final adoption in another Convention country, certified by the Secretary of State pursuant to subsection (a) of this section or section 14932(c) of this title, shall be recognized as a final valid adoption for purposes of all Federal, State, and local laws of the United States. (c) Condition on finalization of Convention adoption by State courtIn the case of a child who has entered the United States from another Convention country for the purpose of adoption, an order declaring the adoption final shall not be entered unless the Secretary of State has issued the certificate provided for in subsection (a) with respect to the adoption.

42 U.S.C. § 14932 Adoptions of children emigrating from the United States

(a) Duties of accredited agency or approved personIn the case of a Convention adoption involving the emigration of a child residing in the United States to a foreign country, the accredited agency or approved person providing adoption services, or the prospective adoptive parent or parents acting on their own behalf (if permitted by the laws of such other Convention country in which they reside and the laws of the State in which the child resides), shall do the following:(1) Ensure that, in accordance with the Convention—(A) a background study on the child is completed; (B) the accredited agency or approved person—(i) has made reasonable efforts to actively recruit and make a diligent search for prospective adoptive parents to adopt the child in the United States; and (ii) despite such efforts, has not been able to place the child for adoption in the United States in a timely manner; and (C) a determination is made that placement with the prospective adoptive parent or parents is in the best interests of the child. (2) Furnish to the State court with jurisdiction over the case—(A) documentation of the matters described in paragraph (1); (B) a background report (home study) on the prospective adoptive parent or parents (including a criminal background check) prepared in accordance with the laws of the receiving country; and (C) a declaration by the central authority (or other competent authority) of such other Convention country—(i) that the child will be permitted to enter and reside permanently, or on the same basis as the adopting parent, in the receiving country; and (ii) that the central authority (or other competent authority) of such other Convention country consents to the adoption, if such consent is necessary under the laws of such country for the adoption to become final. (3) Furnish to the United States central authority—(A) official copies of State court orders certifying the final adoption or grant of custody for the purpose of adoption; (B) the information and documents described in paragraph (2), to the extent required by the United States central authority; and (C) any other information concerning the case required by the United States central authority to perform the functions specified in subsection (c) or otherwise to carry out the duties of the United States central authority under the Convention. (b) Conditions on State court ordersAn order declaring an adoption to be final or granting custody for the purpose of adoption in a case described in subsection (a) shall not be entered unless the court—(1) has received and verified to the extent the court may find necessary—(A) the material described in subsection (a)(2); and (B) satisfactory evidence that the requirements of Articles 4 and 15 through 21 of the Convention have been met; and (2) has determined that the adoptive placement is in the best interests of the child. (c) Duties of the Secretary of StateIn a case described in subsection (a), the Secretary, on receipt and verification as necessary of the material and information described in subsection (a)(3), shall issue, as applicable, an official certification that the child has been adopted or a declaration that custody for purposes of adoption has been granted, in accordance with the Convention and this chapter. (d) Filing with registry regarding non-Convention adoptionsAccredited agencies, approved persons, and other persons, including governmental authorities, providing adoption services in an intercountry adoption not subject to the Convention that involves the emigration of a child from the United States shall file information required by regulations jointly issued by the Attorney General and the Secretary of State for purposes of implementing section 14912(e) of this title.