reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 15 - Judgments and Executions; Fees and Costs. [Enacted title] › Chapter 9 - Uniform Foreign-Money Claims › § 15–909. Enforcement of foreign judgments

§ 15–909. Enforcement of foreign judgments.
(a) If an action is brought to enforce a judgment of another jurisdiction expressed in a foreign money and the judgment is recognized in the District as enforceable, the enforcing judgment must be entered as provided in section 15-907, whether or not the foreign judgment confers an option to pay in an equivalent amount of United States dollars.
(b) A foreign judgment may be filed in accordance with any rule or statute of the District providing a procedure for its recognition and enforcement.
(c) A satisfaction or partial payment made upon the foreign judgment, on proof thereof, must be credited against the amount of foreign money specified in the judgment, notwithstanding the entry of judgment in the District.
(d) A judgment entered on a foreign-money claim only in United States dollars in another state must be enforced in the District in United States dollars only.
(Feb. 10, 1996, D.C. Law 11-85, § 2, 42 DCR 6791.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 15-909.
Editor's Notes
Uniform Law: This section is based upon § 10 of the Uniform Foreign-Money Claims Act.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 15 - Judgments and Executions; Fees and Costs. [Enacted title] › Chapter 9 - Uniform Foreign-Money Claims › § 15–910. Determining United States dollar value of foreign-money claims for limited purposes

§ 15–910. Determining United States dollar value of foreign-money claims for limited purposes.
(a) Computations under this section are for the limited purposes of this section and do not affect computation of the United States dollar equivalent of the money of the judgment for the purpose of payment.
(b) For the limited purpose of facilitating the enforcement of provisional remedies in an action, the value in United States dollars of assets to be seized or restrained pursuant to a writ of attachment, garnishment, execution, or other legal process, the amount of United States dollars at issue for assessing costs, or the amount of United States dollars involved for a surety bond or other court-required undertaking, must be ascertained as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section.
(c) A party seeking process, costs, bond, or other undertaking under subsection (b) of this section shall compute in United States dollars the amount of the foreign money claimed from a bank-offered spot rate prevailing at or near the close of business on the banking day next preceding the filing of a request or application for the issuance of process or for the determination of costs, or an application for a bond or other court-required undertaking.
(d) A party seeking the process, costs, bond, or other undertaking under subsection (b) of this section shall file with each request or application an affidavit or certificate executed in good faith by its counsel or a bank officer, stating the market quotation used and how it was obtained, and setting forth the calculation. Affected court officials incur no liability, after a filing of the affidavit or certificate, for acting as if the judgment were in the amount of United States dollars stated in the affidavit or certificate.
(Feb. 10, 1996, D.C. Law 11-85, § 2, 42 DCR 6791.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 15-910.
Editor's Notes
Uniform Law: This section is based upon § 11 of the Uniform Foreign-Money Claims Act.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 15 - Judgments and Executions; Fees and Costs. [Enacted title] › Chapter 9 - Uniform Foreign-Money Claims › § 15–911. Effect of currency revalorization

§ 15–911. Effect of currency revalorization.
(a) If, after an obligation is expressed or a loss is incurred in a foreign money, the country issuing or adopting that money substitutes a new money in place of that money, the obligation or the loss is treated as if expressed or incurred in the new money at the rate of conversion the issuing country establishes for the payment of like obligations or losses denominated in the former money.
(b) If substitution under subsection (a) of this section occurs after a judgment or award is entered on a foreign-money claim, the court or arbitrator shall amend the judgment or award by a like conversion of the former money.
(Feb. 10, 1996, D.C. Law 11-85, § 2, 42 DCR 6791.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 15-911.
Editor's Notes
Uniform Law: This section is based upon § 12 of the Uniform Foreign-Money Claims Act.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 15 - Judgments and Executions; Fees and Costs. [Enacted title] › Chapter 9 - Uniform Foreign-Money Claims › § 15–912. Supplementary general principles of law

§ 15–912. Supplementary general principles of law.
Unless displaced by particular provisions of this chapter, the principles of law and equity, including the law merchant, and the laws relative to capacity to contract, principal and agent, estoppel, fraud, misrepresentation, duress, coercion, mistake, bankruptcy, or other validating or invalidating causes supplement the provisions of this chapter.
(Feb. 10, 1996, D.C. Law 11-85, § 2, 42 DCR 6791; Mar. 13, 2004, D.C. Law 15-105, § 101, 51 DCR 881; Apr. 13, 2005, D.C. Law 15-354, § 85(e), 52 DCR 2638.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 15-912.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 15-105 substituted “this chapter” for “this act” in both places.
D.C. Law 15-354 substituted “this chapter” for “this subchapter”.
Editor's Notes
Uniform Law: This section is based upon § 13 of the Uniform Foreign-Money Claims Act.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 15 - Judgments and Executions; Fees and Costs. [Enacted title] › Chapter 9 - Uniform Foreign-Money Claims › § 15–913. Applicability

§ 15–913. Applicability.
(a) This chapter applies only to a foreign-money claim in an action or distribution proceeding.
(b) This chapter applies to foreign money issues even if other law, under the conflict of laws rules of the District of Columbia, applies to other issues in the action or distribution proceeding.
(Feb. 10, 1996, D.C. Law 11-85, § 2, 42 DCR 6791; Mar. 13, 2004, D.C. Law 15-105, § 101, 51 DCR 881; Apr. 13, 2005, D.C. Law 15-354, § 85(e), 52 DCR 2638.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 15-913.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 15-105, in subsecs. (a) and (b), substituted “this chapter” for “this act”.
D.C. Law 15-354, in subsecs. (a) and (b), substituted “this chapter” for “this subchapter”.
Editor's Notes
Uniform Law: This section is based upon § 2 of the Uniform Foreign-Money Claims Act.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 15 - Judgments and Executions; Fees and Costs. [Enacted title] › Chapter 9 - Uniform Foreign-Money Claims › § 15–914. Uniformity of application and construction

§ 15–914. Uniformity of application and construction.
This chapter shall be applied and construed to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this chapter among states enacting similar legislation.
(Feb. 10, 1996, D.C. Law 11-85, § 2, 42 DCR 6791; Mar. 13, 2004, D.C. Law 15-105, § 101, 51 DCR 881; Apr. 13, 2005, D.C. Law 15-354, § 85(e), 52 DCR 2638.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 15-914.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 15-105 substituted “this chapter” for “this act” in two places.
D.C. Law 15-354 substituted “this chapter” for “this subchapter”.
Editor's Notes
Uniform Law: This section is based upon § 14 of the Uniform Foreign-Money Claims Act.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 1 - Account › § 16–101. Parties

§ 16–101. Parties.
An action of account shall and may be brought against the executor and administrator of every guardian, bailiff and receiver; and by one joint-tenant and tenant in common, his executors and administrators, against the other, as bailiff for receiving more than comes to his just share or proportion, and against the executor and administrator of such a joint-tenant or tenant in common.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 537, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-101.
1973 Ed., § 16-101.
Cross References
Adoption subsidy payments, see § 4-301.
Editor's Notes
Section 28(a) of D.C. Law 15-354 provided that Title 16 is designated Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–301. Jurisdiction; rules

§ 16–301. Jurisdiction; rules.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia has jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions and decrees of adoption of any adult or child with authority to make such rules, not inconsistent with this chapter, as shall bring fully before the court for consideration the interests of the prospective adoptee, the natural parents, the petitioner, and any other properly interested party.
(b) Jurisdiction shall be conferred when any of the following circumstances exist:
(1) petitioner is a legal resident of the District of Columbia;
(2) petitioner has actually resided in the District for at least one year next preceding the filing of the petition;
(3) the child to be adopted is in the legal care, custody, or control of the Mayor or a child-placing agency licensed under the laws of the District; or
(4) the child to be adopted was born in the District of Columbia.
(c) The jurisdiction conferred upon the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by subsection (b)(4) of this section shall apply retroactively to all children born in the District of Columbia on or after July 18, 2009.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 537, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 555, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(a)(1); Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, § 4(a), 35 DCR 147; Mar. 19, 2013, D.C. Law 19-233, § 2, 59 DCR 14769.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-301.
1973 Ed., § 16-301.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 16-4601.02.
Effect of Amendments
The 2013 amendment by D.C. Law 19-233 added (b)(4); added (c); and made related changes.
Cross References
Exclusive adoption jurisdiction, see § 11-1101.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–302. Persons who may adopt

§ 16–302. Persons who may adopt.
Any person may petition the court for a decree of adoption. A petition may not be considered by the court unless petitioner’s spouse, if the petitioner has one, joins in the petition, except if either spouse is a natural parent of the prospective adoptee, the natural parent need not join in the petition with the adopting parent, but need only give consent to the adoption. If the marital status of the petitioner changes after the time of filing the petition and before the time the decree of adoption is final, the petition must be amended accordingly.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 537, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; Feb. 23, 2023, D.C. Law 24-237, § 2(b), 69 DCR 14733.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-302.
1973 Ed., § 16-302.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–303. Persons adopted

§ 16–303. Persons adopted.
A person, whether a minor or an adult, may be adopted.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 537, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-303.
1973 Ed., § 16-303.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–305. Petition for adoption

§ 16–305. Petition for adoption.
A petition filed for the adoption of a person shall be under oath or affirmation of the petitioner and the titling thereof shall be substantially as follows: “Ex parte in the matter of the petition of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for adoption.” The petition or the exhibits annexed thereto shall contain the following information:
(1) the name, sex, date, and place of birth of the prospective adoptee, and the names, addresses and residences of the natural parents, if known to the petitioner, except that in an adoption proceeding that is consented to by the Mayor or a licensed child-placing agency, the names, addresses and residences of the natural parents may not be set forth;
(2) the name, address, age, business or employment of the petitioner, and the name of the employer, if any, of the petitioner;
(3) the relationship, if any, of the prospective adoptee to the petitioner;
(4) [Repealed].
(5) [Repealed].
(6) the date that the prospective adoptee commenced residing with petitioner; and
(7) any change of name which may be desired.
When any of the above facts is unknown to the petitioner, the petitioner shall state this fact. When any of the above facts is known to the Mayor, or a licensed child-placing agency that as a matter of social policy declines to disclose them to the petitioner, the facts may be disclosed to the court in an exhibit filed by the Mayor or the agency with the court. If more than one petitioner joins in a petition, the requirements of this section apply to each.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 538, Pub. L. 88-24, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 555, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(a)(2); Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, § 4(c), 35 DCR 147; Feb. 23, 2023, D.C. Law 24-237, § 2(d), 69 DCR 14733.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-305.
1973 Ed., § 16-305.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 4-1305.03 and § 16-308.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–306. Notice of adoption proceedings

§ 16–306. Notice of adoption proceedings.
(a) Except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, due notice of pending adoption proceedings shall be given to each person whose consent is necessary thereto, immediately upon the filing of a petition. The notice shall be given by summons, by registered letter sent to the addressee only, or otherwise as ordered by the court.
(b) A party who formally gives his consent to the proposed adoption, as provided by this chapter, thereby waives the requirement of notice to him pursuant to this section.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 539, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-306.
1973 Ed., § 16-306.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 16-4603.09 and § 23-581.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–307. Investigation, report, and recommendation

§ 16–307. Investigation, report, and recommendation.
(a) Except as provided by §§ 16-308 and 16-318, upon the filing of a petition the court shall refer the petition for investigation, report, and recommendation to:
(1) the licensed child-placing agency by which the case is supervised; or
(2) the Mayor, if the case is not supervised by a licensed child-placing agency.
(b) The investigation, report, and recommendation shall include:
(1) an investigation of:
(A) the truth of the allegations of the petition;
(B) the environment, antecedents, and assets, if any, of the prospective adoptee, to determine whether the prospective adoptee is a proper subject for adoption;
(C) the home of the petitioner, to determine whether the home is a suitable one for the prospective adoptee; and
(D) any other circumstances and conditions that may have a bearing on the proposed adoption and of which the court should have knowledge, including the existence and terms of a tentative adoption subsidy agreement entered into prior to the filing of the adoption petition under section 3 of the Act of July 26, 1892 (§ 4-301).
(2) a written report to the court of the findings of the investigation; and
(3) a recommendation to the court whether a final decree declaring the adoption prayed for in the petition should be immediately granted, or whether the court should grant an interlocutory decree granting temporary custody of the prospective adoptee to the petitioner, as hereinafter set forth.
(c) The written report submitted to the court shall be filed with, and become part of, the records in the case.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 539, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 555, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(a)(2); Jan. 2, 1974, 87 Stat. 1061, Pub. L. 93-241, § 2(a); Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, § 4(d), 35 DCR 147; Feb. 23, 2023, D.C. Law 24-237, § 2(e), 69 DCR 14733.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-307.
1973 Ed., § 16-307.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 4-342 and § 16-309.
Emergency Legislation
For temporary provisions requiring, on an emergency basis, criminal background investigations for individuals residing in foster family homes or other homes in which children are placed by order, see § 2-15 of the Criminal Background Investigation for the Protection of Children Emergency act of 1998 (D.C. Act 12-431, August 6, 1998, 45 DCR 5915) and § 2-11 of the Criminal Background Investigation for the Protection of Children Legislative Review Emergency Act of 1998 (D.C Act 12-505, November 20, 1998, 45 DCR 8134).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–308. Investigations when prospective adoptee is adult or petitioner is spouse or domestic partner of natural parent

§ 16–308. Investigations when prospective adoptee is adult or petitioner is spouse or domestic partner of natural parent.
(a) The court shall dispense with the investigation, report, and interlocutory decree provided for by this chapter when:
(1) The prospective adoptee is an adult;
(2) The petitioner is a spouse or domestic partner of the natural parent of the prospective adoptee and the natural parents consents to the adoption or joins in the petition for adoption; or
(3) A petition for expedited adoption is filed pursuant to § 16-318.
(b) [Repealed].
(c) For the purposes of this section, the term “domestic partner” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 32-701(3), but shall exclude a domestic partner who is the parent, grandparent, sibling, child, grandchild, niece, nephew, aunt, or uncle of the natural parent.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to waive the requirements of §§ 4-1305.01 through 4-1305.09, including the requirement of a fingerprint-based criminal records check.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 539, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; Oct. 30, 1975, D.C. Law 1-25, § 3, 22 DCR 2465; July 18, 2008, D.C. Law 18-33, § 3(a), 56 DCR 4269; Sept. 11, 2009, D.C. Law 18-47, § 3, 56 DCR 4960; Feb. 23, 2023, D.C. Law 24-237, § 2(f), 69 DCR 14733.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-308.
1973 Ed., § 16-308.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 16-307.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 18-33 rewrote the section.
D.C. Law 18-47 rewrote the section.
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Adoption and Safe Families Emergency Amendment Act of 2007 (D.C. Act 17-232, December 27, 2007, 55 DCR 233).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Adoption and Safe Families Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Act 17-317, March 19, 2008, 55 DCR 3415).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Adoption and Safe Families Continuing Compliance Emergency Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Act 17-559, October 27, 2008, 55 DCR 12010).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of Adoption and Safe Families Continuing Compliance Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-2, January 23, 2009, 56 DCR 1622).
Temporary Legislation
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of the Adoption and Safe Families Temporary Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Law 17-133, March 26, 2008, law notification 55 DCR 4464).
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 3 of the Safe families Continuing Compliance Temporary Amendment Act of 2008 (D.C. Law 17-297, March 20, 2009, law notification 56 DCR 3008).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–310. Finality of decrees of adoption

§ 16–310. Finality of decrees of adoption.
An attempt to invalidate a final decree of adoption by reason of a jurisdictional or procedural defect may not be received by any court of the District, unless regularly filed with the court within one year following the date the final decree became effective.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 540, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-310.
1973 Ed., § 16-310.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–311. Sealing and inspection of records and papers

§ 16–311. Sealing and inspection of records and papers.
From and after the filing of the petition, records and papers in adoption proceedings shall be sealed. They may not be inspected by any person, including the parties to the proceeding, except upon order of the court, and only then when the court is satisfied that the welfare of the child will thereby be promoted or protected. Such records and papers shall, upon written application to the court, be unsealed and provided to the Child Fatality Review Committee or the Violence Fatality Review Committee for inspection if the adoptee is deceased and inspection of the records and papers is necessary for the discharge of the relevant Committee's official duties. The clerk of the court shall keep a separate docket for adoption proceedings.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 541, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; Oct. 3, 2001, D.C. Law 14-28, § 4620(a), 48 DCR 6981; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 3052(a), 65 DCR 9388.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-311.
1973 Ed., § 16-311.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 14-28 inserted “Such records and papers shall, upon written application to the court, be unsealed and provided to the Child Fatality Review Committee for inspection if the adoptee is deceased and inspection of the records and papers is necessary for the discharge of the Committee’s official duties.” after “promoted and protected.”
Emergency Legislation
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3052(a) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3052(a) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 20(a) of Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Emergency Act of 2001 (D.C. Act 14-40, April 25, 2001, 48 DCR 5917).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 20(a) of Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Legislative Review Emergency Act of 2001 (D.C. Act 14-82, July 9, 2001, 48 DCR 6355).
Temporary Legislation
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 20(a) of Child Fatality Review Committee Establishment Temporary Act of 2001 (D.C. Law 14-20, September 6, 2001, law notification 48 DCR 9090).
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–312. Legal effects of adoption

§ 16–312. Legal effects of adoption.
(a) A final decree of adoption establishes the relationship of natural parent and natural child between adopter and adoptee for all purposes, including mutual rights of inheritance and succession as if adoptee were born to adopter. The adoptee takes from, through, and as a representative of the adoptive parent in the same manner as a child by birth, and upon the death of an adoptee intestate, the adoptee's property shall pass and be distributed in the same manner as if the adoptee had been born to the adopting parent in lawful wedlock. All rights and duties including those of inheritance and succession between the adoptee, the adoptee's natural parents, their issue, collateral relatives, and so forth, are cut off, except that when one of the natural parents is the spouse of the adopter, the rights and relations as between adoptee, that natural parent and the adoptee's parents, and collateral relatives, including mutual rights of inheritance and succession, are in no wise altered.
(b) While it is in force, an interlocutory decree of adoption has the same legal effect as a final decree of adoption. Upon the revocation of an interlocutory decree of adoption, the status of the adoptee, the natural parents of the adoptee, and the petitioners are as though the interlocutory decree were null and void ab initio.
(c) The family name of the adoptee shall be changed to that of the adopter unless the decree otherwise provides, and the given name of the adoptee may be fixed or changed at the same time.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 541, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; Mar. 24, 1998, D.C. Law 12-81, § 10(b), 45 DCR 745; Feb. 23, 2023, D.C. Law 24-237, § 2(h), 69 DCR 14733.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-312.
1973 Ed., § 16-312.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–313. Child as including adopted person

§ 16–313. Child as including adopted person.
In the District, “child” or its equivalent in a deed, grant, will, or other written instrument includes an adopted person, unless the contrary plainly appears by the terms thereof, whether the instrument was executed before or after the entry of the interlocutory decree of adoption, if any, or before or after the final decree of adoption became effective.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 541, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-313.
1973 Ed., § 16-313.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–314. Birth certificates

§ 16–314. Birth certificates.
(a) Upon the issuance of a final decree of adoption, an adoption form shall be sent to the Registrar pursuant to Chapter 2A of Title 7. Unless otherwise requested in the petition by the adopters, the Registrar shall cause to be made a new record of the birth in the new name with the names of the adopters and shall then cause the original birth certificate and the order of the Court to be sealed and filed. The sealed package may be opened only by order of the Court or by the Registrar to properly administer Chapter 2A of Title 7.
(b) If the adoption occurred outside the District either before or after August 25, 1937, a new certificate of birth shall be made pursuant to § 7-231.21. The Registrar shall seal the original birth certificate. The sealed original birth certificate may be opened only by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by the Registrar to properly administer Chapter 2A of Title 7.
(c) If the birth of the adoptee occurred outside the District the clerk of the court shall, upon petition by the adopter, furnish the adopter with a certified copy of the final decree of adoption.
(c-1) If the birth of the adoptee occurred outside of the United States, a new certificate of birth shall be made pursuant to § 7-231.21.
(d) When an adoption in the District occurred prior to August 25, 1937, the court shall, upon presentation of a motion by a party to the proceedings, order the clerk of the court to seal the records in the proceeding. Upon presentation of a certified copy of the order the Mayor shall cause to be made a new record of the birth in the new name and with the names of the adopters and shall then cause to be sealed and filed the original birth certificate with the order of the court. The sealed package may be opened only by order of the court.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 541, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 555, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(a)(2); Oct. 8, 1981, D.C. Law 4-34,§ 29(f), 28 DCR 3271; Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, § 4(e), 35 DCR 147; May 21, 1992, D.C. Law 9-101, § 2, 39 DCR 2146; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-164, § 203(b), 65 DCR 9324; July 12, 2022, D.C. Law 24-147, §§ 150(b), 153, 69 DCR 003386; Feb. 23, 2023, D.C. Law 24-237, § 2(i), 69 DCR 14733.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-314.
1973 Ed., § 16-314.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 7-210.
Cross References
New birth certificates, see § 7-210.
References in Text
The “Vital Records Act of 1981,” referred to throughout subsections (a), (b), and (c-1), is D.C. Law 4-34. Section 11 of the Act is codified at § 7-210.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–315. Prior proceedings

§ 16–315. Prior proceedings.
The provisions of this chapter have no effect prior to June 8, 1954, except to the extent that they specifically so provide. They do not affect in any way the rights and relations obtained by any decree of adoption entered prior to June 8, 1954.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 542, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-315.
1973 Ed., § 16-315.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–316. Appointment and compensation of counsel; guardian ad litem

§ 16–316. Appointment and compensation of counsel; guardian ad litem.
(a) When a petition for adoption has been filed and there has been no termination or relinquishment of parental rights with respect to the proposed adoptee or consent to the proposed adoption by a parent or guardian whose consent is required under [section 16-304], the Court may appoint an attorney to represent such parent or guardian in the adoption proceeding if the individual is financially unable to obtain adequate representation.
(b) The Court may appoint a guardian ad litem who is an attorney to represent the child in an adoption proceeding. The guardian ad litem shall in general be charged with the representation of the child’s best interest.
(c) An attorney appointed pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be compensated in accordance with [section 16-2326.01], except that compensation in the adoption case shall be subject to the limitation set forth in [section 16-2326.01(b)(2)].
(Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 141, Pub. L. 108-199, § 435.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 3 - Adoption › § 16–317. Recognition of foreign adoptions and elective petitions for District adoption

§ 16–317. Recognition of foreign adoptions and elective petitions for District adoption.
(a)(1) A final judgment of adoption granted by a judicial, administrative, or executive body of a jurisdiction or country other than the United States shall have the same force and effect in the District as that given to a judgment of adoption entered by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, without additional proceedings or documentation if the:
(A) Adopting parent is a resident of the District of Columbia; and
(B) Validity of the foreign adoption has been verified by the granting of an IR-3 immigrant visa, or a successor immigrant visa, for the child by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
(2) The foreign adoption that meets the requirement of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be considered final under the laws of the District of Columbia and, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no further petition for an adoption decree shall be required in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(3) The Department of Health shall issue a birth certificate for the child upon:
(A) Request by the adoptive parent;
(B) Presentation of evidence that the adoptive parent is a resident of the District of Columbia; and
(C) Presentation of evidence that the child was granted an IR-3 immigrant visa, or a successor immigrant visa, by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
(b)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, an adoptive parent may elect to file a petition for a District adoption decree with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(2) If the foreign adoption meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the court shall issue:
(A) A finding of fact on the foreign adoption, including the:
(i) Name of the adoptive parent;
(ii) Name or names of the child;
(iii) Reported birth date of the child;
(iv) Country of the child’s birth;
(v) Country and the date of the foreign adoption; and
(vi) Date and issuance of an IR-3 immigrant visa, or a successor immigrant visa, for the child by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services; and
(B) An adoption decree to the petitioner.
(3) A petition for a District adoption decree pursuant to this subsection may be combined with a petition for a name change.
(4) A petition for an adoption decree issued pursuant to this subsection shall be placed on an expedited calendar to ensure minimal expense of time and money to the petitioning party in attaining a adoption decree.
(Sept. 24, 2010, D.C. Law 18-230, § 401(b), 57 DCR 6951.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction › § 16–402. Prohibitions and penalties. [Repealed]

§ 16–402. Prohibitions and penalties. [Repealed]
[Repealed].
(Mar. 17, 1993, D.C. Law 9-219, § 2, 40 DCR 582; Apr. 9, 1997, D.C. Law 11-255, § 18(b), 44 DCR 1271; Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-255, § 2(d), 64 DCR 2037.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-402.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction › § 16–403. Collaborative reproduction authorized

§ 16–403. Collaborative reproduction authorized.
An intended parent or parents shall be recognized as the parent or parents of a child; provided, that the surrogate and the intended parent or parents comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-255, § 2(e), 64 DCR 2037.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction › § 16–404. Surrogacy agreements authorized

§ 16–404. Surrogacy agreements authorized.
A surrogacy agreement shall be enforceable; provided, that all parties to the agreement and the agreement itself meet the requirements of [§ 16-405] and [§ 16-406].
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-255, § 2(e), 64 DCR 2037.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction › § 16–405. Requirements of surrogates and intended parents

§ 16–405. Requirements of surrogates and intended parents.
(a) An individual seeking to serve as a surrogate shall enter into a written surrogacy agreement and, at the time that the surrogacy agreement is executed, shall:
(1) Be at least 21 years of age;
(2) Have given birth to at least one live child;
(3) Have undergone a medical evaluation in which the individual was approved to serve as a surrogate;
(4) Have completed a mental health evaluation by a mental health professional in which the individual was approved to serve as a surrogate; provided, that the mental health professional has received specialized training in, or has a practice that includes a specialty in, collaborative reproduction; and
(5) Have completed, with the intended parent or parents, a joint consultation with a mental health professional regarding issues that could arise during the surrogacy.
(b)(1) An individual or individuals seeking to become an intended parent or parents shall enter into a written surrogacy agreement and, at the time the surrogacy agreement is executed, shall:
(A) Be at least 21 years of age; and
(B) Have completed with the surrogate a joint consultation with a mental health professional regarding issues that could arise during the surrogacy.
(2) If an individual is married or in a domestic partnership, both parties to the marriage or domestic partnership must satisfy the requirements of this subsection.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-255, § 2(e), 64 DCR 2037.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction › § 16–407. Parentage in collaborative reproduction

§ 16–407. Parentage in collaborative reproduction.
(a)(1) In the case of a child born by a gestational surrogate, an intended parent or parents shall be the parent or parents of the child and have all rights under District law, regardless of whether the intended parent or parents has a genetic relationship to the child.
(2) The child shall have all rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations existing under law between a parent and child with the intended parent or parents, including the rights of inheritance.
(3) A gestational surrogate and the gestational surrogate's spouse or domestic partner, if any, shall not be the parent or parents of the child, and shall not have any rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, or obligations with respect to the child.
(4) A gamete or embryo donor who is not an intended parent and that donor's spouse or domestic partner, if any, shall not be the parent or parents of the child, and shall not have any rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, or obligations with respect to the child. For the purposes of this paragraph, a traditional surrogate is not a donor.
(b)(1) In the case of a child born by a traditional surrogate, an intended parent or parents shall be the parent or parents of the child and have all rights under District law, regardless of whether the intended parent or parents has a genetic relationship to the child.
(2) The child shall have all rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, and obligations existing under law between a parent and child with the intended parent or parents, including the rights of inheritance.
(3) A traditional surrogate and the traditional surrogate's spouse or domestic partner, if any, shall not be the parent or parents of the child, and shall not have any rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, or obligations with respect to the child.
(4) A gamete donor who is not an intended parent and that donor's spouse or domestic partner, if any, shall not be the parent or parents of the child, and shall not have any rights, powers, privileges, immunities, duties, or obligations with respect to the child.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-255, § 2(e), 64 DCR 2037.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction › § 16–409. Effect of subsequent marriage or domestic partnership or dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership

§ 16–409. Effect of subsequent marriage or domestic partnership or dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership.
A subsequent marriage or domestic partnership or dissolution thereof for either the surrogate or the intended parent or parents shall have no bearing on the validity of the surrogacy agreement or the child's parentage.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-255, § 2(e), 64 DCR 2037.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction › § 16–410. Effect of death of intended parent

§ 16–410. Effect of death of intended parent.
If an intended parent dies after a successful insemination or embryo transfer, the surviving spouse or domestic partner shall assume all obligations with respect to the surrogacy agreement, and both will be considered the parents of the child.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-255, § 2(e), 64 DCR 2037.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction › § 16–411. Effect of withdrawal of consent

§ 16–411. Effect of withdrawal of consent.
Either the surrogate or the intended parent or parents may withdraw consent to collaborative reproduction. The withdrawal shall be:
(1) In accordance with the terms of the surrogacy agreement;
(2) In writing;
(3) Delivered to:
(A) All parties to the surrogacy agreement and, if applicable, to the assisted reproduction center by certified mail with receipt acknowledged by the parties and the assisted reproduction center or by hand delivery with a witness to each hand delivery; and
(B) The Superior Court of the District of Columbia, if an order of parentage has been issued; and
(4) In the case of a child born by a traditional surrogate, within 48 hours after the birth of the child.
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-255, § 2(e), 64 DCR 2037.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 4 - Collaborative Reproduction › § 16–412. Rules

§ 16–412. Rules.
The Mayor, pursuant to [[subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2]], may issue rules to carry out the purposes of [this chapter].
(Apr. 7, 2017, D.C. Law 21-255, § 2(e), 64 DCR 2037.)
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 5 - Attachment and Garnishment › Subchapter I - Attachment and Garnishment Generally › § 16–502. Service of notice; publication

§ 16–502. Service of notice; publication.
(a) A writ issued pursuant to section 16-501 shall require the marshal to serve a notice on the defendant, if he is found in the District, and on any person in whose possession any property or credits of the defendant may be attached, to appear in the court on or before the twentieth day, exclusive of Sundays and legal holidays after service of the notice, and show cause, if any there be, why the property so attached should not be condemned and execution thereof had. The marshal’s return shall show the fact of the service.
(b) If the defendant is returned “Not to be found,” the notice shall be given by publication to the following effect, namely:
In the United States District Court (Superior Court of the District of Columbia) for the District of Columbia.
A B, plaintiff,
versus          Civil Action No. _____.
C D, defendant,
The object of this suit is to recover (here state it briefly) and to have judgment of condemnation of certain property of the defendant levied on under an attachment issued in this suit to satisfy the plaintiff’s claim.
It is, therefore, this __ day of ____, ordered that the defendant appear in this court or before the fortieth day, exclusive of Sundays and legal holidays, after the day of the first publication of this order, to defend this suit and show cause why the condemnation should not be had; otherwise the suit will be proceeded with as in case of default.
By the court:
________, Judge.
(c) The order shall be published at least once a week for three successive weeks or oftener, or for such further time and in such manner as the court orders.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 544, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1; July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 555, Pub. L. 91-358, title I, § 145(b)(1).)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-502.
1973 Ed., § 16-502.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 16-508 and § 16-511.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 5 - Attachment and Garnishment › Subchapter I - Attachment and Garnishment Generally › § 16–503. Attachment for debts not due

§ 16–503. Attachment for debts not due.
A creditor may maintain an action and have an attachment against his debtor’s property and credits, where his debt is not yet due and payable, if the plaintiff, his agent, or attorney files in the clerk’s office, at the commencement of the action, an affidavit, supported by testimony of one or more witnesses, showing the amount and justice of the claim and the time when it will be payable, and also setting forth that the defendant has removed or is removing or intends to remove a material part of his property from the District with the intent or to the effect of defeating just claims against him if only the ordinary process of law is used to obtain judgment against him, and if he also complies with the condition as to filing a bond prescribed by section 16-501 . The plaintiff may not have judgment before his claim becomes due. If the attachment is quashed the action shall be dismissed, but without prejudice to a future action.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 545, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-503.
1973 Ed., § 16-503.
Cross References
Nonresident or absent defendants, service by publication, see § 13-336.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 5 - Attachment and Garnishment › Subchapter I - Attachment and Garnishment Generally › § 16–504. Additional attachments

§ 16–504. Additional attachments.
Upon the application of the plaintiff, his agent, or attorney, other attachments founded on the original affidavits may be issued from time to time, to be directed, executed, and returned in the same manner as the original, and without further publication, against a nonresident or absent defendant, and without additional bond, unless required by the court.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 545, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-504.
1973 Ed., § 16-504.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 5 - Attachment and Garnishment › Subchapter I - Attachment and Garnishment Generally › § 16–505. Sufficiency of plaintiff’s bond

§ 16–505. Sufficiency of plaintiff’s bond.
The defendant or any other person interested in the proceedings who is not satisfied with the sufficiency of the surety or with the amount of the penalty named in the bond filed pursuant to section 16-501 , may apply to the court for an order requiring the plaintiff to give an additional bond in such sum and with such security as may be approved by the court. If the plaintiff fails to comply with any such order the court may order the attachment to be quashed and any property attached or its proceeds to be returned to the defendant or otherwise disposed of, as to the court may seem proper.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 545, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-505.
1973 Ed., § 16-505.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 5 - Attachment and Garnishment › Subchapter I - Attachment and Garnishment Generally › § 16–506. Traversing affidavits; quashing writ of attachment; trial of issues

§ 16–506. Traversing affidavits; quashing writ of attachment; trial of issues.
If the defendant files affidavits traversing the affidavits filed by the plaintiff the court shall determine whether the facts set forth in the plaintiff’s affidavits as ground for issuing the attachment are true, and whether there was just ground for issuing the attachment. When, in the opinion of the court, the proofs do not sustain the affidavit of the plaintiff, his agent, or attorney, the court shall quash the writ of attachment. This issue may be tried by the court or a judge at chambers after three days’ notice. The issue may be tried as well upon oral testimony as upon affidavits. If the court deems it expedient, a jury may be impaneled to try the issue.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 545, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-506.
1973 Ed., § 16-506.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 16-529.
2023 District of Columbia Code › Title 16 - Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title] › Chapter 5 - Attachment and Garnishment › Subchapter I - Attachment and Garnishment Generally › § 16–507. Property subject to attachment; liens; priorities

§ 16–507. Property subject to attachment; liens; priorities.
(a) An attachment may be levied on the lands and tenements, and personal chattels of the defendant not exempt by law, whether in the defendant’s or a third person’s possession, and whether the defendant’s title to the property is legal or equitable, and upon his credits in the hands of a third person, whether due and payable or not, and upon his undivided interest in a partnership business.
(b) An attachment shall be a lien on the property attached from the date of its delivery to the marshal. When different persons obtain attachments against the same defendant the priorities of the liens of the attachments shall be according to the dates when they were so delivered to the marshal.
(Dec. 23, 1963, 77 Stat. 545, Pub. L. 88-241, § 1.)
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 16-507.
1973 Ed., § 16-507.
Section References
This section is referenced in § 16-572.