DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 Any person may adopt. A husband and wife must file jointly to adopt, unlessthe person wishing to adopt is a stepparent; then the natural parent need notjoin in the adoption, but must give consent.

Who Can Be Adopted?

 Any minor or adult can be adopted.

Consent to Adoption

 Written consent must be given by the following people:

(1) both parents if they are alive;

(2) the court-appointed guardian of the adoptee;

(3) the licensed child-placing agency or the Mayor, when parental rights havebeen terminated; and

(4) the adoptee, if 14 years of age or older.

 Consent is not required if

(1) a parent has been given notice but cannot be located, or has abandoned andnot provided support to the child for at least 6 months; or

(2) the court determines it is in the best interest of the child to grant thepetition despite withheld consent.

 The are no provisions regarding when consent must occur or whether it can bewithdrawn.

Confidentiality

 All adoption proceedings are confidential and shall be held in chambers or ina sealed courtroom. Records and papers in adoption proceedings are sealed.These papers may not be inspected except upon court order, if the court deemsit is in the child's best interest. Original birth certificates may beinspected only by court order.

Permissible Fees

 The law has no provisions regarding permissible fees.

Place of Adoption Hearing

 The Superior Court of the District of Columbia has jurisdiction if thepetitioner is a legal resident of, or has resided at least 1 year in, theDistrict of Columbia or if the child is in the legal custody of a child-placingagency licensed by the District of Columbia.

Authority To Place Child

 The Commissioner of Social Services, Mayor of the District, or achild-placing agency licensed under the laws of the District, can place a childfor adoption.

Relative Adoption

 The court may dispense with a home investigation, report, and interlocutorydecree if the adoptive parent is a stepparent and the parent consents to theadoption.

State Law: FullText

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

Attorney Referral Service

District of Columbia Bar Association
1819 H Street, N.W., 12th Floor
Washington, DC 20006-3690
(202) 223-6600

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