The Senate passed the bipartisan Accuracy for Adoptees Act on Friday, which was introduced by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) to make the process for correcting errors in the birth certificates of children adopted abroad more efficient.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services does not currently recognize state court orders to amend international birth certificates. Families are required to petition the adoptee’s country of birth for corrections.
“Every day, American families open up their homes and their hearts to children in need from all over the world,” Blunt said. “This bipartisan bill will make the transition easier for families and their adopted children by removing excessive red tape and ensuring the accuracy of their birth records.”
The measure, which Blunt introduced with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), would authorize USCIS to recognize state court orders to change information on a child’s birth certificate.
“Families have enough hoops to jump through when adopting internationally,” Klobuchar said. “We shouldn’t be adding to that red tape by placing extra burdens on those trying to get accurate personal records for their children. I am pleased that this bill has passed the Senate, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the House to ensure that this common sense legislation become law.”