CONNECTICUT

 Any adult person may adopt. Married persons must adopt jointly, unless thecourt approves an adoption agreement by either one of them alone.

 The court shall not disapprove any adoption solely because of the adoptingparent's marital status, or because of difference in race, color, or religionbetween the adoptive parent and the adoptee. The sexual orientation of theadoptive parents may be considered but no specific orientation will berequired.

Who Can Be Adopted?

 Any person can be adopted, but an adult may not be adopted by certain closerelatives.

Consent to Adoption

 The following people must consent to the adoption:

(1) a statutory parent appointed by the court for the purpose of consenting toa minor's adoption;

(2) the adoptee, if 12 years of age or older;

(3) a parent may agree that his or her spouse (stepparent) can adopt, if theother parent has died, has been notified, or has had his parental rightsterminated;

(4) an adoptive parent;

(5) the sole guardian of the child if the other parent's parental rights havebeen terminated; and

(6) spouse, if any, of an adult adoptee.

 Consent is not required in the following circumstances:

(1) if parents are deceased; or

(2) if parents' parental rights have been terminated.

Putative Father's Rights

 Someone who has claimed to be or has been identified as the biological fatherthrough one of the ways provided by the statute must be notified of theadoption proceedings. He must then assert his interest in the child or havehis rights terminated.

Confidentiality

 The court shall maintain all papers connected with adoption and termination ofparental rights in locked files. The records may be disclosed upon the court'sorder for health or medical treatment of the adopted person.

 To the extent it is available, certain nonidentifying information (e.g. healthhistory, education, heritage) concerning the genetic parents of an adoptedperson shall be given to the adoptive parent upon finalization of the adoptionproceedings. Any adult adopted person or any adoptive parent, with thepermission of the adoptee or the adoptee's legal representative, may requestadditional nonidentifying information from the Department.

 Any adult adoptee may request the release of information that would identifythe biological parents. Any information that would identify the geneticparents will not be disclosed without the written consent of each parent. Allagencies will maintain registries with the consent or refusal of all partiesinvolved in or directly affected by the adoption agreements and/or terminationof parental rights with regard to the release of identifying information. Ifthe whereabouts of the biological parents are unknown, the agency is notrequired to spend more than 10 hours locating the parent. If the biologicalparents cannot be located or are incompetent, the court will appoint a guardianad litem to decide whether to give consent on behalf of the parent.

Permissible Fees

 When adoptive parents have located the adoptee, with court approval, theadoptive parents may compensate the birth mother for living expenses not toexceed $1,500, telephone and maternity clothing expenses, and the cost ofcounseling (if required) and related transportation.

Place of Adoption Hearing

 The adoption hearing shall take place where the adoptive parent lives or wherethe child placement agency is located.

Authority To Place Child

 The Commissioner of Children and Youth Services or an agency licensed orapproved by the commissioner can place a child for adoption.

Relative Adoption

 If all necessary parties have consented, a stepparent may adopt a child, andthe court can waive all requirements of notice to and an investigation andreport by the Commissioner of Children and Youth Services.

Advertisements

 Any birth parent or prospective adoptive parent may advertise through anypublic media within the state for the placement of a child for the purposes ofidentified adoption (an adoption arranged by prosepective adoptive parents).

State Law: FullText

Not available in electronic form at this time for this state, sorry.

Attorney ReferralService

Connecticut Bar Association
101 Corporate Place
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
(203) 721-0025

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