Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021

Registration of information - Adoptions - Registration of adoption information in birth record

33: Registration of overseas adoptions

You could also call this:

"How to register an overseas adoption in New Zealand"

Illustration for Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021

You can register an overseas adoption in New Zealand if the Registrar-General says so. The Registrar-General will do this if they are satisfied that the adoption follows certain rules, such as section 17(1) of the Adoption Act 1955 or section 11 of the Adoption (Intercountry) Act 1997. They also need to get the right information and be satisfied it is correct. When the Registrar-General gives the okay, certain rules apply to the overseas adoption, like it was a New Zealand adoption. These rules include what is said in section 32 and they are used with any necessary changes. This means the adoption is treated as if it was done under New Zealand law. The Registrar-General has the power to make decisions about overseas adoptions and how they are registered in New Zealand. They use certain rules to make these decisions and make sure the right information is provided. This helps them process the adoption registration correctly.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7273651.

This page was last updated on — View changes

Topics:
Family and relationships > Adoption and guardianship
Previous

32: Registration of New Zealand adoptions, or

"How to register adoption details in a birth record in New Zealand"

Next

34: Adopted person or adoptive parent may apply to include additional information, or

"Adopted people or their parents can add more details to their birth record."

Part 2Registration of information
Adoptions: Registration of adoption information in birth record

33Registration of overseas adoptions

  1. The Registrar-General may direct that section 32 apply to an adoption outside New Zealand if the Registrar-General—

  2. is satisfied that section 17(1) of the Adoption Act 1955 or section 11 of the Adoption (Intercountry) Act 1997 applies to the adoption of a person whose birth is registered under this Act; and
    1. has received any particulars that the Registrar-General requires for the purpose, and is satisfied that they are or are likely to be correct.

      1. Sections 32 and 36 apply, with any necessary modifications, to an adoption outside New Zealand that is subject to a direction under subsection (1) as if the adoption had been effected by an adoption order.

      Compare