Legal Question in Native American Law in Oklahoma
tribal member adoption
If a tribal member adopts a child is the child elgible to be added to the rolls as well?
Asked on 5/06/08, 11:09 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall
Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC
Re: tribal member adoption
Tribal membership is solely determined by the rules of the tribe and not Oklahoma law. Many tribes require 1/3 blood for eligibility, and some more than that, 1/2 or 2/3. Non-Native American children adopted by tribal members, or children of mixed blood who do not meet the minimum blood requirements for tribal membership, are usually not eligible for enrollment or benefits. You should CHECK!!! with your tribal administrator or at tribal headquarters to ascertain the requirements for enrollment in your tribe.
Answered on 5/06/08, 11:43 am