Regulation of Private Domestic Adoption Expenses - Northern Mariana Islands

Date: May 2022

Birth Parent Expenses Allowed

Citation: Commonwealth Code Tit. 8, § 1409(a)

The petitioner may pay expenses incurred in connection with the following:

  • The birth of the minor
  • Medical and hospital costs for services received by the mother or the minor during the mother's prenatal care and delivery
  • Attorney's fees
  • If the mother is not a resident, transportation back to her country of origin
  • Reasonable living expenses for the mother during her pregnancy and confinement

Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed

This issue is not addressed in the statutes reviewed.

Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption

Citation: Commonwealth Code Tit. 8, § 1420

It is unlawful for a person to adopt or intentionally induce a person to adopt another in exchange for money or anything of value, including personal services.

Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child

Citation: Commonwealth Code Tit. 8, § 1420

It is unlawful for a person to offer or receive a minor, born or unborn, for adoption in exchange for money or anything of value, including personal services.

Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency

Citation: Commonwealth Code Tit. 8, § 1409(a)(4)

Payment for the following is permitted:

  • Services relating to the adoption or to the placement of the minor for adoption that were received by or on behalf of the petitioner, either natural parent of the minor, or any other person
  • Fees charged by all attorneys involved in the adoption, including out-of-State attorneys

Accounting of Expenses Required by Court

Citation: Commonwealth Code Tit. 8, § 1409

The petitioner in any adoption proceeding shall file, before the petition is heard, a full accounting of all disbursements made or agreed to be made of anything of value in connection with the adoption. The report must be signed and verified by the petitioner. A fraudulent report shall be cause for the court to deny the petition.

This section does not apply to an adoption by a stepparent whose spouse is a natural or adoptive parent of the child.

Related Resources