This directive supersedes Directive #17-17, "Family-Court Policies on Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption Matters," and is issued to provide guidance on adoption cases. As approved by the Judicial Council, this superseding directive includes the following changes from the prior version: (a) a revised requirement to obtain a child's birth certificate and Social Security card earlier in removal matters; (b) a new section to address the process for co-parent adoptions; and ( c) updated website resources for background checks in stepparent adoptions. These changes are intended to improve the outcomes for children who have been placed for adoption by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) in the Department of Children and Families, by an approved agency, or by a private party. The provisions complement Court Rules 5:10, 5:l0A, and 5:11.
Document Date: Feb. 28, 2023
Publish Date: March 1, 2023