Providing Adoptive Parents With Information About Adoptees and Their Birth Families - American Samoa

Date: August 2020

Agency or Person Preparing the Report

Citation: Ann. Code § 45.0421

The report is prepared by the Department of Health or a child-placing agency.

Contents of Report About the Adopted Person

Citation: Ann. Code §§ 45.0414; 45.0420

The written report shall include the physical and mental condition of the child.

The adoption petition shall include the following:

  • The name, date and place of birth, and place of residence, if known by the petitioner, of the adopted person
  • The relationship, if any, of the child to the petitioner
  • The full description of the property, if any, of the child

Contents of Report About the Birth Family

Citation: Ann. Code §§ 45.0414; 45.0420

The written report shall include the following:

  • The child's family background, including the names of parents and other identifying data regarding the parents, if obtainable
  • Reasons for the termination of parental rights

The adoption petition shall include the names of the parents of the child and the address of each living parent, if known to the petitioner.

When the Report Is Made

Citation: Ann. Code § 45.0420

Information about the adopted person and the birth family is filed with the adoption petition.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

Citation: Ann. Code § 45.0421

A report is not required for stepparent adoptions and those cases in which placement for adoption has been made by the court or by an individual in whom guardianship of the person of the child has been placed by the court or in accordance with the law of another State or territory.

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