EWTN Catholic Q&A

Unknown baptismal status
Question from D.C. on 01-30-2013:

I am adopting a child from a predominantly Catholic country, but there are no records to indicate whether she was baptized. Is the lack of an available baptismal record reason enough to request she be baptized once I legally adopt her?

Answer by Catholic Answers on 01-30-2013:

D.C.--

Yes, but given that there is a possibility that she might have been baptized, you should request a conditional baptism. A conditional baptismal formula begins, "If you are not already baptized, I baptize you...."