Code of the District of Columbia

§ 7–231.19. Adoption forms.

(a) Except for an expedited adoption pursuant to [§ 16-318], the court shall prepare an adoption form for each adoption decreed by the court. The form shall:

(1) State facts necessary to locate and identify the original record of live birth of the adoptee;

(2) Provide the information necessary to establish a new record of live birth for the adoptee;

(3) Identify the adoption order; and

(4) Be issued under seal by the court.

(b) The petitioner for adoption or his or her attorney shall supply the information necessary to prepare the adoption form. The social service agency or any individual with knowledge of the facts shall supply the court with any additional information necessary to complete the adoption form. The court shall require such individuals to provide the information prior to issuing a final decree in the matter.

(c) The court shall prepare an adoption form whenever an adoption decree is amended or annulled which shall include the facts necessary to identify the original adoption form and the facts amended in the adoption decree necessary to properly amend the record of live birth.

(d) No later than the final day of each calendar month, the court shall forward to the Registrar adoption forms concerning decrees of adoption, annulments, and amendments of decrees of adoption that were entered in the preceding month, together with any related reports the Registrar may require.

(e)(1) The Registrar shall forward to the Registrar in the state of the adoptee's birth an adoption form and a certified copy of any court decree that annuls or amends a decree of adoption for an individual born outside the District.

(2) When the court annuls or amends a decree of adoption relating to an individual born in a foreign country, the Registrar shall return the adoption form and decree to the attorney or social service agency handling the adoption for submission to the appropriate federal agency.

(f)(1) If an adoptee was born in a foreign country and was not a citizen of the United States at the time of birth, the Registrar shall prepare a "Record of Foreign Live Birth". The Registrar shall also send a copy of the adoption form, report of annulment of adoption, or amendment of a decree of adoption to the appropriate registration authority.

(2) If the adoptee was born in a foreign country and through parentage is a citizen of the United States, the Registrar shall not prepare a "Record of Foreign Live Birth" but shall notify the adoptive parents of the procedures for obtaining a revised live birth record for their child through the U.S. Department of State.