International Adoption and Birth Certificates

Children who are adopted from another country can have a birth certificate placed on file at Vital Registration.   In order for Vital Registration to place a certificate on file for the child, a court order must be received.  The birth certificate will list the child's name, parents names, and country of birth.  It will also have the statement "Not Proof of US Citizenship" across the bottom of the certificate.

This means that, even if an adoption is finalized in another country (such as China, Guatemala, Russia, etc), a WV Court must issue a court order instructing this office to place a certificate on file.  Since June 2003, West Virginia Code § 48-22-901 has streamlined the process by allowing WV courts to "recognize" adoptions from other nations.  Please consult your attorney for details.

The citizenship is determined by the US Federal Government's Citizenship and Immigration Service