Form 55-11

NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT
CONTAINS SENSITIVE DATA

[Caption. See § 3 of the Introduction in volume 1 of this manual.]

Petition for Registration of Foreign Order of Adoption

This Petition for Registration of Foreign Order of Adoption is filed by [name] [include if applicable: and [name]], Petitioner[s], whose address is [address, city, state].

[The last three numbers of [Petitioner/[name]]’s driver’s license number are
[numbers]./[Petitioner/[Name]] has not been issued a driver’s license.] [The last three num­bers of [Petitioner/[name]]’s Social Security number are [numbers]./[Petitioner/[Name]] has not been issued a Social Security number.] [If applicable, repeat statements for second peti­tioner.]

1.On [date] Petitioner[s] obtained, in a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction in the country of [name of foreign country], [a/an] [title of foreign adoption order]. The adoption law and process of [name of foreign country] do not violate the fundamental principles of human rights or the laws or public policy of Texas.

2.Petitioner[s] [has/have] adopted the child. There is no other parent or person act­ing as a parent or other entity who has been awarded custody or visitation in the order sought to be registered. There is therefore no person or entity entitled to notice of these proceedings.

3.Petitioner[s] request[s] that the name of the child [be changed to/remain] [full name] and that the State Registrar of Texas Vital Statistics at Austin, Texas, register the for­eign order of adoption under chapter 192 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and file a cer­tificate of birth for the child pursuant to section 192.006 of the Health and Safety Code.

4.Based on the attached affidavit, visa information, and other documentation, Peti­tioner[s] request[s] the Court to take judicial notice that the child is a United States citizen.

Petitioner[s] pray[s] that this Court exercise jurisdiction over this suit; that on final hearing, the Court render judgment declaring that the prior international adoption of this child by Petitioner[s] be given full faith and credit; that the Court confirm the name of the child; [include if applicable: that the Court confirm the recognition of U.S. citizenship of the child;] and for general relief.

   
[Name]
Attorney for Petitioner[s]
State Bar No.:
[E-mail address]
[Address]
[Telephone]
[Fax]

Affidavit

[Name of adoptive parent] appeared in person before me today and stated under oath:

“My name is [name of adoptive parent]. I am above the age of eighteen years, and I am fully competent to make this affidavit. The facts stated in this affidavit are within my personal knowledge and are true and correct.

“I am the adoptive parent of [name of child]. I adopted [name of child] in [name of for­eign country] on [date]. I completed the necessary documentation and obtained permission to immigrate my child into the United States.

“All prerequisites and conditions have been complied with and performed sufficient to render the child a United States citizen.

“The attached documents are evidence of the validity of the adoption and include the following:

1.Foreign document establishing the adoption.

2.Amended foreign birth certificate verifying that I am the parent of the child.

3.Documentation of the child’s immigration status.

“No certified copies are available. These are true and correct copies of documents I received from the foreign and U.S. officials.”

   
Affiant

SIGNED under oath before me on ______________________________.

   
Notary Public, State of Texas