Adoptions

Adoption is a legal process that establishes a parent-child relationship between the adopted child and the adopting parents. Our role is to work with the adopting parents, Family Court, the adoptive child, and any involved adoption agencies. We review adoption requests—formally referred to as verified complaints—and schedule the preliminary and final hearings. We also certify copies of judgments and seal the adoption records of minors. Adult adoptees’ records are not sealed.

There are 8 recognized types of adoptions: adult, agency, foreign agency, foreign private, foreign readoption, private, second parent, and step-parent. In order to undertake an adoption, you must submit a verified complaint and other required documentation. We recommend that you acquire the assistance of a legal representative to begin the legal proceedings.

After adoption records are sealed, only a Court Order from a Superior Court judge can unseal them. However, any adoption that occurred prior to November 19, 1940 is public record.