Angelina Jolie
© AFP/Getty Images05 Mar. 2007 (Bang) - Angelina Jolie's adoption of a Vietnamese boy contravenes the country's laws.
The Good Shepherd star filed papers with Vietnamese and US officials to become the child's guardian as a single parent last week.
Under Vietnamese law single parents who are co-habiting cannot adopt.
International adoption official Tatiana Beams said: "This is a clear contradiction of Vietnamese law, and such situations would not be allowed for other couples.
"Most co-habiting couples who try to adopt as a single parent are either turned away from agencies or face difficulties."
The US department dealing with the matter insists it abides by Vietnamese rules when it comes to adopting from the country, but has not opposed Angelina's action.
The 31-year-old star filed for adoption as a single parent, even though her boyfriend, Brad Pitt, has become the adoptive father of her five-year-old Cambodian son Maddox and two-year-old Ethiopian daughter Zahara.
The family, who also have a ten-month-old biological daughter Shiloh together, live together in New Orleans.