District Of Columbia § 16-317 - Recognition of foreign adoptions and elective petitions for District adoption.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 16-317 — Recognition of foreign adoptions and elective petitions for District adoption., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-317. Recognition of foreign adoptions and elective petitions for District adoption.
16-317A final judgment of adoption granted by a judicial, administrative, or executive body of a jurisdiction or country other than the United States shall have the same force and effect in the District as that given to a judgment of adoption entered by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, without additional proceedings or documentation if the:
Adopting parent is a resident of the District of Columbia; and
Validity of the foreign adoption has been verified by the granting of an IR-3 immigrant visa, or a successor immigrant visa, for the child by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The foreign adoption that meets the requirement of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be considered final under the laws of the District of Columbia and, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no further petition for an adoption decree shall be required in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
The Department of Health shall issue a birth certificate for the child upon:
Request by the adoptive parent;
Presentation of evidence that the adoptive parent is a resident of the District of Columbia; and
Presentation of evidence that the child was granted an IR-3 immigrant visa, or a successor immigrant visa, by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, an adoptive parent may elect to file a petition for a District adoption decree with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
If the foreign adoption meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the court shall issue:
A finding of fact on the foreign adoption, including the:
Name of the adoptive parent;
Name or names of the child;
Reported birth date of the child;
Country of the child’s birth;
Country and the date of the foreign adoption; and
Date and issuance of an IR-3 immigrant visa, or a successor immigrant visa, for the child by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services; and
An adoption decree to the petitioner.
A petition for a District adoption decree pursuant to this subsection may be combined with a petition for a name change.
A petition for an adoption decree issued pursuant to this subsection shall be placed on an expedited calendar to ensure minimal expense of time and money to the petitioning party in attaining a adoption decree.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 16-317
What does D.C. Code § 16-317 cover?
Section 16-317 ("Recognition of foreign adoptions and elective petitions for District adoption.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 16-317?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 16-317" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 16-317 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.