(1) (a) A petition seeking a decree declaring valid an adoption granted by a court of any country other than the United States of America may be filed at any time by residents of the state of Colorado. (b) The petition shall contain all information required in section 19-5-207 (2); except that the court shall not require the petition to contain or be accompanied by the written consent described in section 19-5-207 (1), the written home study report described in section 19-5-207 (2)(a), the fees described in section 19-5-207.5 (4), or a written legal memorandum with specific references to the applicable law of the foreign country. (2) The court shall issue a decree declaring valid an adoption granted by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authorized individual or entity of a country other than the United States of America upon a finding that: (a) At the time the petition is filed, the petition contains a verified statement that at least one of the adopting parents is a citizen and resident of the state of Colorado or other evidence that at least one of the adopting parents is a citizen and resident of the state of Colorado; (b) The original or a certified copy of a valid foreign adoption decree, together with a notarized translation, is presented to the court; and (c) The child is either a permanent resident or a naturalized citizen of the United States. A photocopy of the child's resident alien card issued by the immigration and naturalization service of the United States, department of justice, or any successor agency, shall be sufficient evidence that the child is either a permanent resident or a naturalized citizen of the United States. (2.5) The adopting parties filing a petition pursuant to this section shall not be required to be represented by an attorney. (3) Any decree issued pursuant to this section shall have the same legal effect as any decree of adoption issued by the court.
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