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SSA logo: link to Social Security Online home 1713. How do you prove a legal adoption?

You can prove the legal adoption of a child by an amended birth certificate issued as the result of an adoption. If the date of a U.S. adoption is material, it may be proved by:

  1. Records of the court that granted the adoption;

  2. Official notice you received as the adopting parent(s);

  3. Records of the State's Attorney or child welfare division; or

  4. The adoption decree (if you have it and voluntarily submit it).

Last Revised: March, 2001

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Last reviewed or modified Wednesday Apr 01, 2009

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