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This website provides general information of some of the important steps involved in a Probate & Family Court case. It is not intended to be a complete description of the process and is not a substitute for legal advice or independent research about your specific case, issue or legal question.

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Self-Help - Types of Probate Cases - Adoptions

Adoption of a Minor

General Instructions

The chart below provides a list of the forms necessary to file an Adoption of a Minor followed by a brief description and link to the forms. In some cases there are also instructions for these forms. You should READ THE INSTRUCTIONS carefully. Forms with an asterisk (*) are forms REQUIRED to initiate your case in ALL circumstances.

REMEMBER TO:

* Fill in the form(s), then print them.
* Sign and date each form.
* Make copies of the forms for your records.
* Deliver or mail the original forms to the Registry of Probate.

Fees For Filing:

No Fee

Click on the to read the INSTRUCTIONS and/or complete the FORMS.
(All Forms should be completed in PERMANENT BLACK INK!)

Please Note:

A certified long form birth certificate must be filed. When filing a Petition for Adoption of a child from a foreign country, the Petitioner(s) must include the original foreign documents and a copy of the same documents. The original documents will be returned to the Petitioner(s) at the Court hearing.

Form Name	Description Of Form	Form	Instructions
*Petition for Adoption	This form must be completed by the adopting parties.
*Affidavit of Petitioner	Each adopting party must file a statement under oath setting forth the information necessary to correct the birth record of the child to be adopted.		Must sign this document as you wish name to appear on new birth record.
*Affidavit Disclosing Care or Custody Proceedings	Complete this form to let the court know if there are any care or custody proceedings regarding the child in Massachusetts or any other state.
*Federal Missing Child Search	This form must be completed by the adopting parties and mailed or faxed to the Department of Children and Families.
Request for Record Information (CORI)	Petitioner(s) must complete this form to be filed with the adoption paperwork.
*Request for Assignment	This form must be completed to obtain a hearing date before the assigned Judge.
Surrender of Parent	To be completed by the birth parent(s) seeking to terminate their parental rights.
Motion to Waive Report of DCF	This form may be completed if the natural parent is one of the adopting parties.
Affidavit - Parent(s) Unknown or of Parts Unknown (Bio Parent)	This form to be completed with the most current information regarding the parent(s) whereabouts or identity.
Motion for Publication if Unknown Father	Required if ID of father is unknown.

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