Providing Adoptive Parents With Information About Adoptees and Their Birth Families - New York

Date: August 2020

Agency or Person Preparing the Report

Citation: Dom. Rel. Law § 112

The adoptive parents or parent and the adoptee, if age 18 or older, must present the required information to the judge.

Contents of Report About the Adopted Person

Citation: Dom. Rel. Law § 112

The petition must include the following:

  • The first name, date, and place of birth of the adoptive child as nearly as the same can be ascertained
  • The religious faith of the adoptive child and his or her parents as nearly as the same can be ascertained
  • The manner in which the adoptive parents obtained the adoptive child
  • Whether the child was placed or brought into the State of New York from out of State for the purpose of adoption
  • Whether the placement was subject to the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children and, if so, whether the provisions of the compact were complied with
  • The period of time the adoptive child has resided with the adoptive parents
  • Whether the adoptive child had been previously adopted

Contents of Report About the Birth Family

Citation: Dom. Rel. Law § 112

The petition must include the following:

  • The heritage of the parents, including nationality, ethnic background, and race
  • Education, including the number of years of school completed by the parents at the time of the adoptive child's birth
  • General physical appearance of the parents at the time of the adoptive child's birth, including height; weight; and color of hair, eyes, and skin
  • Occupation of the parents at the time of the adoptive child's birth
  • Health and medical histories of the parents at the time of the adoptive child's birth, including the following:
    • All available information setting forth conditions or diseases believed to be hereditary
    • Any drugs or medication taken during the pregnancy by the child's mother
  • Any other information that may be a factor influencing the child's present or future health
  • Talents, hobbies, and special interests of the parents

The petition shall also include the names and current addresses of the birth parents, if known.

When the Report Is Made

Citation: Dom. Rel. Law § 112

The required information must be included in the adoption petition.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

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