Reference: Third Synod of the Archdiocese of Vancouver
(May 19, 1959)
165: If, after Catholic Baptism, a child is adopted and receives a new name, upon proof by civil document that this action has been taken, the parish priest shall add to the original baptismal record the new name of the child, the names of the adopting parents, and the date and place of the civil action. The new name shall likewise be added to the index of the baptismal registers of the parish.
166.1: In issuing certificates of Baptism for adopted children on the occasion of First Communion, Confirmation, or entrance into a Catholic school, the parish priest shall use a type of certificate which states merely that the child was baptized, and gives the adopted name of the child, date and minister of baptism, and omits any mention of parentage or names of sponsors; or, in the absence of this short form(1) the priest shall annotate a regular certificate with the words: “Not valid for purposes of marriage, orders or religious profession.”
166.2: On the occasion of marriage, entrance into a seminary or religious institute, the parish priest shall copy the complete record from his Register including the original registration and all added notations. He shall send this complete, taking care that the document not be given to the person baptized or any other lay person.
166.3: In case of any doubt as to the proper procedure, the parish priest shall refer the matter to the Ordinary for specific directions.
Approved: December 8, 1992
+ Most Reverend Adam Exner, OMI
Archbishop of Vancouver
(1) The “short form” to which number 166 refers could be a typed declaration on parish letterhead, sealed with the parish seal.