| Adoption is a wonderful thing, but it also involves a | | | | adopted the child as a single parent and your name is |
| lot of red tape, especially if you adopted your child | | | | the only one on the birth certificate, only your birth |
| from another country. Naturally, when you apply for | | | | certificate is required. |
| a passport for a child adopted from overseas, there | | | | - 2 passport-sized photos of the child |
| are some special requirements to keep in mind. Here's | | | | - For children under the age of 16, both parents must |
| what you need to know. | | | | appear with their child, bring proof of identification, |
| Is Your Child a Citizen? | | | | and provide consent for the child to be issued a |
| To qualify for your a US passport, your adopted child | | | | passport. |
| must be a US citizen. The Child Citizenship Act of | | | | - If both parents are unable to appear at the |
| 2000 gives most children adopted by American citizen | | | | acceptance agency to give consent, one parent can |
| parents US citizenship once the adoption is "full and | | | | go and bring proof of identification as well a notarized |
| final." The question is, what is the definition of "full | | | | copy of US passport form DS-3053 providing consent |
| and final?" | | | | from the other parent. |
| Generally speaking, if your child entered the country | | | | - If there is only one parent on the adoption |
| using an IR-3 visa, that indicates that the adoption | | | | certificate, only that parent is required to provide |
| process was completed in the foreign country and | | | | consent. |
| the adoption is considered "full and final." However, if | | | | - If there are two parents listed on the adoption |
| your child entered using an IR-4 visa, you must have | | | | certificate but you now have sole custody, you don't |
| the adoption finalized when you get home for your | | | | have to get the other parent's consent if you bring in |
| child to officially become a US citizen. | | | | proof that you have sole custody of the child, or |
| Getting a Passport- Necessary Documents | | | | that a court has authorized you to take the child out |
| To get a passport for your child after an international | | | | of the country. |
| adoption, the following documents are required: | | | | - Minors age 16 and 17 only need one parent to |
| - The adoption decree | | | | appear with them when they apply for a US |
| - Both adoptive parents' US birth certificates OR the | | | | passport. |
| child's Certificate of Citizenship. Obviously, if you | | | | |