Can a Baptism certificate be reissued with a new name?

[1ke]

While the addition of “new Godparents” seems odd,

It’s not odd. It follows the norms for canon 877 established by the US Bishop’s Conference:

For children baptized after their adoption is finalized, the following information shall be entered in the register:

1. the Christian name(s) of the child as designated by the adoptive parent(s);
2. the name(s) of the adoptive parent(s);
3. the date and place of birth;
4. the names of the sponsors selected by the adoptive parent(s);
5. the place and date of the baptism;
6. the name of the minister performing the baptism; and
7. the fact of adoption but not the names of the natural parents.

Baptismal certificates issued by the parish for adopted children will be no different from other baptismal certificates. No mention of the fact of adoption shall be made on the baptismal certificate.

(Edited because I copied the wrong section Of the norm the first time).

 

[SMHW]

1. the names of the sponsors selected by the adoptive parent(s);

Ahhh. I missed that part earlier. Now it all makes sense.

I would presume that adoptive parents would have the option of selecting the original Godparents. In the case of adoption by the spouse of a natural parent to the child, the original sponsors might still be playing an active role in the child’s life.

 

[Phemie]

But that’s for children baptized after adoption. For those baptized before adoption the sponsors are left out, per your first set of complementary norms. In the case of a second husband adopting his wife’s children there would be no reason to omit the original godparents.

 

[1ke]

For those baptized before adoption the sponsors are left out, per your first set of complementary norms.

Oh yes, I got confused between the OP and then the subsequent scenario. I posted the right norms the first time and then went back and changed them.

In the case of a second husband adopting his wife’s children there would be no reason to omit the original godparents.

I agree. But the person issuing the cert may not know the details so should follow the rules.

 

[SMHW]

Ok, so in the case of an already baptized child being adopted, do the norms spell out the possibility of additional godparents?

 

[1ke]

1. For children baptized before their adoption is finalized, the following notations shall be added to the baptismal register, but only after the adoption has been finalized and with due regard for the civil law of the jurisdiction:
2. parentheses shall be placed around the names of the natural parents;
3. the name(s) of the adoptive parent(s) shall then be added;
4. the child’s former surname shall also be parenthesized and the new surname added; and
5. a notation shall be made that the child was legally adopted.

Baptismal certificates issued by the parish for these individuals shall give only the name(s) of the adoptive parent(s), the child’s new legal surname, the date and place of baptism, and the name of the minister who conferred the sacrament. The name(s) of the sponsor(s) shall not be given, and no mention of the fact of adoption shall be made on the baptismal certificate.