Revised Uniform Adoption Act

The Revised Uniform Adoption Act governs the legal process by which a person becomes the adopted child of another, setting out who may adopt, who may be adopted, and the consents required from birth parents and other interested persons — including how consent is executed, when it may be withdrawn, and the circumstances in which it is excused. It establishes the court procedure for adoption: venue, the petition and supporting disclosures such as the petitioner's expenditures, notice to affected parties, investigation of the placement, residence requirements for the child, hearing and disposition, and appeal. It also defines the effect of an adoption decree on the parent-child relationship, provides for relinquishment and termination of parental rights, the confidentiality of adoption records and the release of identifying and nonidentifying information, the issuance of a new birth record, and recognition of adoption decrees entered elsewhere.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.