International Adoption Attorneys in Dallas, Texas

Many individuals and couples choose to expand their family through international adoption rather than domestic infant adoption. At Palmer & Manuel, we help adoptive parents through the legal complexities of international adoptions. We offer legal counsel, support, and guidance through the entire process.

Because most international adoptions physically occur with international adoption agencies in the foreign country, it may be necessary for the adoption to be registered in the United States. This will ratify your child's citizenship, provide you with a Texas birth certificate, and enable you correct errors in foreign adoption papers. Your process for moving forward will depend on the type of immigration visa your child was issued.

• Adoption with an IR 3 Visa: If your child was issued an IR 3 visa, he or she becomes a U.S. citizen automatically upon entering the country. Although no further legal steps are required in the U.S., registering the foreign adoption in Texas is recommended and we can help you. By registering the foreign adoption decree, you will be able to obtain a Texas birth certificate, which most families find beneficial when it comes time to enroll their child in school or get additional certified copies. You can also take the opportunity to correct any minor errors in your child's foreign adoption papers, for example, a misspelled name.

• Adoption with an IR 4 Visa: If your child was issued an IR 4 visa, the foreign adoption will not be recognized as "final" under U.S. immigration laws. As a result, your child will not yet be an U.S. citizen. We can help you complete a "re-adoption" in the United States to ensure the adoption is recognized and your child is granted citizenship. Through a re-adoption, you will also be able to correct minor errors in the foreign adoption papers and obtain a Texas birth certificate.

There are many specific laws regarding adoption of a foreign child. Therefore, it is critical to have a lawyer who has experience with this special area of adoption law. At Palmer & Manuel, we focus on guiding you through the international adoption process efficiently and effectively.

For experienced legal counsel, call 214-242-6444 or email us to schedule an initial consultation.

For more information, please read our article on International Adoption Basics.