Title XII, Public Safety and Welfare

I. In any adoption of an unrelated minor child under this chapter, an intended adoptive parent or anyone acting in concert with, at the direction of, or on behalf of an intended adoptive parent shall pay only the following expenses of the birth parent: (a) Reasonable counseling, …

I. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as encouraging, discouraging, or prohibiting arrangements or understandings reached between the prospective adoptive parents, the birth parents, or the licensed child-placing agency with respect to the post-surrender exchange of ident…

I. The probate court has exclusive jurisdiction to grant a petition for adoption if the adoptee is present in the state or is in the legal custody or legal guardianship of an authorized agency located in the state at the time of filing of the petition. All of the requirements of …

I. A proceeding to adopt a minor child, other than a related minor child, shall be commenced by the filing of a petition within 30 days after such minor child has been placed in an adoptive home, provided that such petition may be filed at a later date by leave of court upon a sh…

I. After the filing of a petition to adopt a minor, the court shall fix a time and place for hearing the petition. Notice shall be given by the court to the petitioners, all guardians of the child, the person having legal custody of the child, and the guardian ad litem of any par…

I. Before the petition is heard, in the adoption of a related minor child, or an adoption of a minor child through an agency, an assessment shall be made by the department, or by a licensed child-placing agency into the conditions of the petitioner for the purpose of ascertaining…

I. The petitioner and the adoptee shall appear at the hearing on the petition, unless the presence of either is excused by the court for good cause shown. II. The court may continue the hearing from time to time to permit further observation, assessment, or consideration of any f…

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: I. "Adult" means an individual who is not a minor. II. "Agency" means any person licensed by existing law to place minors for adoption. III. "Birth father" means a person or persons other than a legal father who has …

I. If at any time between the filing of a petition and the issuance of the final order completing the adoption it is known to the court that circumstances are such that the adoptee should not be adopted, the court may dismiss the proceedings. II. Before entering an order to dismi…

I. An appeal from any final or interlocutory decree rendered by the court may be taken in the manner and time provided in RSA 567-A, except that no appeal shall be allowed from any order or decree involving proceedings for adoption unless taken within 30 days from receipt of such…

I. Within 7 days after the final decree is filed, the clerk shall send a hard copy of the report of the adoption to the town clerk of the town where the adoptee was born, to the commissioner, and to the department of state, division of vital records administration. The department…

Notwithstanding any other law concerning public hearings and records: I. All hearings held in adoptive proceedings shall be in closed court without admittance of any person other than essential officers of the court, the parties, their witnesses, counsel, and representatives of t…

I. Requests for non-identifying social or medical information shall be handled in the following manner: (a) Requests for non-identifying social or medical information may be made by an adoptee over the age of 18; a parent of an adoptee under the age of 18; or a birth parent of an…

I. Upon the issuance of the final decree of adoption, the adoptee shall be considered the child of the adopting parent or parents, entitled to the same rights and privileges and subject to the same duties and obligations as if such adoptee had been born of the adopting parent or …

If in a petition for the adoption of a child a change of name is requested, the court, upon decreeing the adoption, may also decree such change of name.

I. Any adoptee may be readopted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. All provisions relating to the birth parent or parents shall apply to the adoptive parent or parents except that in no case of readoption shall a birth parent be made a party to the proceedings, no…

Any person or any public or private agency, corporation, or organization, before bringing or causing any child to be brought into this state from any other state or country for the purpose of adoption, or receiving such child in this state for such purpose, shall make application…

A decree of court terminating the relationship of parent and child or establishing the relation by adoption issued pursuant to due process of law by a court of any other jurisdiction within or without the United States shall be recognized in this state and the rights and obligati…

Any individual may be adopted, provided, however, that: I. If the adoptee is 14 years of age or older, he or she must assent to the adoption unless the court determines that it is not in the best interests of the adoptee to require assent. Such an assent shall be executed by the …

All entry fees and court costs shall be paid by the petitioner. The court, however, may waive entry fees and court costs where payment would work a hardship on the petitioner. The department is exempt from paying any entry fees and court costs.

A birth certificate issued for an adoptee shall make no reference to adoption and shall conform as nearly as possible to any other birth certificate.

I. In this section: (a) "Advertise through a public medium" means to communicate by any public medium, including by newspaper, periodical, telephone book listing, outdoor advertising sign, radio, television, or by computerized communication system, which includes an Internet site…

It shall be unlawful for a child's parent or legal guardian to knowingly place a child for adoption, or knowingly attempt to place a child for adoption through the use of a power of attorney or other legal document in this state unless such parent or legal guardian follows the pr…

Any of the following adults may adopt: I. Two adults together. II. An unmarried adult. III. The unmarried parent of the adoptee. IV. A married adult without that person's spouse joining as a petitioner, if the adoptee is not the petitioner's spouse; and if any one of the followin…

I. Unless excused pursuant to RSA 170-B:7, a surrender of parental rights shall be obtained from: (a) The birth mother, provided that if the birth mother is under 18 years, the court may require the assent of her parents or legal guardian; (b) The legal father, provided that if t…

I. In an intrastate or interstate adoption, but not an international adoption, the following persons shall be given notice by the court and shall have the right to request a hearing to prove paternity: (a) A person named by the birth mother in an affidavit: (1) Filed with the cou…

Surrender of parental rights is not required of: I. The alleged father who has not met the requirements of RSA 170-B:5, I or RSA 170-B:6; II. A parent whose parental rights have been voluntarily or involuntarily terminated by order of a court in another state; III. An alleged fat…

I. No surrender shall be taken until a passage of a minimum of 72 hours after the birth of the child. II. Any parent wishing to surrender his or her parental rights for the adoption of a child shall be informed by the parent's legal counsel, or if counsel has been waived, by the …

I. Any parent surrendering parental rights shall be represented by legal counsel who is not representing an intended adoptive parent or the agency, unless such representation is waived with approval of the court for good cause shown. This paragraph is not intended, however, to cr…