Providing Adoptive Parents With Information About Adoptees and Their Birth Families - North Dakota

Agency or Person Preparing the Report

Citation: Cent. Code § 14-15-11

An investigation must be conducted by a licensed child-placing agency.

Contents of Report About the Adopted Person

Citation: Cent. Code §§ 14-15-11; 14-15.1-04

The report of the investigation must contain a review of the child's history.

If the child has been born before the filing of the report, the report must include a medical and developmental history of the child.

Contents of Report About the Birth Family

Citation: Cent. Code §§ 14-15.1-04; 14-15-01

The report must include the medical and social histories of the birth parents, including an assessment regarding the birth parents' understanding and acceptance of the action.

The investigation includes information obtained regarding the child's history, including the following nonidentifying information:

• Ages of the genetic parents in years at the birth of the adopted child
• Heritage of the genetic parents
• Educational attainments, including the number of years of school completed by the genetic parents at the time of birth of the adopted child
• General physical appearance of each genetic parent at the time of birth of the adopted child, including the height; weight; color of hair, eyes, and skin; and other information of a similar nature
• Talents, hobbies, and special interests of the genetic parents
• Existence of any other children born to either genetic parent
• Reasons for the child being placed for adoption or for termination of parental rights
• Religion of the genetic parents
• Vocations of the genetic parents in general terms
• Health histories of the genetic parents and blood relatives in a manner prescribed by the Department of Human Services
• Such further information that, in the judgment of the agency, will not be detrimental to the adoptive parent or the adoptee requesting the information, but the additional information may not identify genetic parents by name or location

When the Report Is Made

Citation: Cent. Code §§ 14-15-11; 14-15.1-04

A written report of the investigation must be filed with the court by the investigator before the petition is heard.

Before a hearing under this chapter for an adoptive placement with identified adoptive parents, the report of a child-placing agency must be filed with the court. The child-placing agency shall serve a copy of the report upon the birth parent, the identified adoptive parent, the guardian ad litem, and the Department of Human Services at least 7 days before the hearing.

Exceptions for Stepparent or Relative Adoptions

Citation: Cent. Code §§ 14-15-11; 14-15.1-04

An investigation and report is not required in cases in which a stepparent is the petitioner or the individual to be adopted is an adult.

If the identified adoptive parent is a relative of the child, the report of a child-placing agency must include the medical and social history of the birth parent, including an assessment regarding the birth parent's understanding and acceptance of the action.