Section 3107.18 | Foreign decrees.
(A) Except when giving effect to such a decree would violate the public policy of this state, a court decree terminating the relationship of parent and child, or establishing the relationship by adoption, issued pursuant to due process of law by a court of any jurisdiction outside this state, whether within or outside the United States, shall be recognized in this state, and the rights and obligations of the parties as to all matters within the jurisdiction of this state, including, without limitation, those matters specified in section 3107.15 of the Revised Code, shall be determined as though the decree were issued by a court of this state.
(B)(1) A 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 this state as that given to a judgment of adoption entered by a court of competent jurisdiction of this state, without additional proceedings or documentation, if both of the following apply:
(a) Either adopting parent is a resident of this state;
(b) The validity of the foreign adoption has been verified by the granting of an IR-3, IH-3, or a successor immigrant visa, for the child by the citizenship and immigration services of the United States department of homeland security or its successor agency.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an adoptive parent shall not be required to petition a court in this state for adoption of the child, and the foreign adoption shall be considered final under the laws of this state, if the conditions of division (B)(1) of this section are met.
(C) Either adoptive parent, a guardian, or a guardian ad litem may petition the court of the county in which the person making the request resides to register a foreign adoption in this state. The court may specify a change of name for the child and, if a physician has recommended a revision of the birth certificate, a revised birth date. If the petition is granted, the court shall order the department of health to issue a foreign birth record for the adopted person under section 3705.122 of the Revised Code. The court shall send to the department with its order a copy of the foreign adoption decree or certificate of adoption and, if the foreign decree or certificate of adoption is not in English, a translation certified as to its accuracy by the translator and provided by the person who requested the order.
Last updated February 4, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Available Versions of this Section
- October 10, 2000 – Senate Bill 173 - 123rd General Assembly [ View October 10, 2000 Version ]
- March 20, 2015 – Senate Bill 23 - 130th General Assembly [ View March 20, 2015 Version ]
- March 20, 2025 – Amended by House Bill 5 - 135th General Assembly [ View March 20, 2025 Version ]