2020 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 32A - Children's Code
Article 5 - Adoptions
Section 32A-5-39 - Recognition of foreign decrees.
A. Every decree or order of adoption terminating the parent-child relationship or establishing the relationship of parent and child by adoption entered by a court or other entity in another country acting pursuant to that country's law or pursuant to any convention or treaty or intercountry adoption that the United States has ratified shall be recognized in this state, so that the rights and obligations of the parties as to matters within the jurisdiction of this state shall be determined as though the decree or order of adoption were issued by the courts of this state.
B. A convention adoption in a foreign country that is certified by the United States secretary of state shall be recognized as a final adoption in this state.
History: 1978 Comp., § 32A-5-39, enacted by Laws 1993, ch. 77, § 166; 2003, ch. 294, § 6; 2003, ch. 321, § 6; 2005, ch. 189, § 71.
ANNOTATIONSThe 2005 amendment, effective June 17, 2005, provided that every decree or order of adoption entered by a court or other entity in another country pursuant to that country's law or any convention or treaty or intercountry adoption that the United States has ratified shall be recognized in New Mexico.
The 2003 amendment, effective July 1, 2003, inserted the Subsection A designation and added Subsection B. Laws 2003, ch. 294, § 6 and Laws 2003, ch. 321, § 6 enacted identical amendments to this section. The section was set out as amended by Laws 2003, ch. 321, § 6. See 12-1-8 NMSA 1978.
