9:3-43.1 Conditions for recognizing foreign adoptions, certain circumstances.
1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L.1977, c.367 (C.9:3-37 et seq.) or any other law to the contrary, an adopting parent shall not be required to petition a court in this State for adoption of a child if:
(1) the child was adopted under the laws of a jurisdiction or country other than the United States; and
(2) the 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.
b. If an adopting parent chooses to file a petition for adoption in this State, a court may grant a judgment of adoption without requiring the consent of a parent otherwise required pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1977, c.367 (C.9:3-41) if the petitioner files with the petition a judgment of adoption, guardianship or termination of parental rights granted by a judicial, administrative or executive body of a jurisdiction or country other than the United States that is in compliance with the laws of that country.
L.2005,c.81,s.1.