SB280 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Ben H. BrooksScott BeasonJimmy HolleyGreg J. ReedPaul BussmanPhillip W. WilliamsGerald O. DialBryan Taylor

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Vital Records, State Registrar authorized to issue Certificate of Foreign Birth without judicial proceedings if certain criteria are satisfied, Karina's Law, Sec. 22-9A-11.1 added

Summary

Karina's Law lets Alabama's State Registrar issue a Certificate of Foreign Birth for foreign-born children who automatically became U.S. citizens through foreign adoption, without court proceedings, if specific documents are provided.

What This Bill Does

It adds a new provision that allows the State Registrar to issue a Certificate of Foreign Birth for certain foreign-born adopted children who have automatically acquired U.S. citizenship, bypassing the need for judicial proceedings. It also exempts these children from the standard judicial-report requirement to obtain the Certificate of Foreign Birth. The Registrar must issue the certificate upon written request and proof of the specified documents, and will create the needed forms for adoptive parents. The act becomes effective January 1, 2013.

Who It Affects

• Children born outside the United States who were adopted by U.S. citizens and who automatically acquired U.S. citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act; these children can receive a Certificate of Foreign Birth reflecting their actual date and place of birth without going through a court process, if they meet the criteria and provide the listed documents.
• Adoptive parents residing in Alabama who must submit the required documents (Certificate of Citizenship, foreign birth certificate and translation, original foreign adoption documents certified by the U.S. Embassy and translation, Social Security card, acceptable ID for parents, and proof of Alabama residency) to obtain the Certificate of Foreign Birth. The State Registrar will issue the certificate and will develop necessary submission forms.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 22-9A-11.1 to allow certain foreign-adopted children who automatically acquired U.S. citizenship to be exempt from the judicial-report requirement to obtain a Certificate of Foreign Birth.
• authorizes the State Registrar, upon written request and presentation of specified documents, to prepare and issue a Certificate of Foreign Birth reflecting the child’s actual date and place of birth for foreign-born children adopted by U.S. citizens who gained citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act.
• Requires the following documents to be submitted: (1) the child’s Certificate of Citizenship; (2) certified foreign birth certificate with English translation; (3) original foreign adoption documents certified by the U.S. Embassy and translated; (4) the child’s Social Security card; (5) valid government-issued photo ID of the parents; (6) proof of the parents’ Alabama residency.
• The State Registrar must develop any forms needed for adoptive parents to request the Certificate of Foreign Birth.
• Effective date is January 1, 2013, after governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Vital Records