Resources for State Adoption Statutes (7/00)

Persons contemplating adoption must comply with adoption laws. For the most part, adoption issues are subject to State laws and regulations.1 State adoption laws are primarily comprised of laws from two sources, State statutes and State case law. State statutes are provisions enacted by State legislatures that regulate the subject matter of an issue. State case law consists of rules of law that come from the written decisions of judges who hear and decide litigation. Statutes and case law of a particular jurisdiction are binding on future litigation within that jurisdiction. Additionally, administrative regulations, which are enacted by agencies that have the authority, within certain limits, to make rules that have the force of statutes, also address legal issues in adoption.

Legal research and analysis is often performed in order to understand and comply with adoption laws. This process begins with the reading and examination of relevant State statutes. To assist in this task, the Clearinghouse is providing information2 on how to obtain full-text copies of pertinent State adoption statutes,3 including:

Citations for adoption statutes in each State;
An Internet address (when available) to access a specific State statute online;
Contact information to order print copies of State statutes; and/or
Notification of any fee charged for print copies.
In addition to State statutory review, legal research and analysis of an adoption issue also involves reviewing case law4 to determine whether any cases have interpreted a particular statute, agency regulations,5 and informal practices and procedures. Readers interested in the interpretation of specific statutory provisions within a particular jurisdiction should also consult with professionals within the State familiar with statutory implementation.

State Adoption Statutes
Citations and Contacts
ALABAMA
Citation: Code of Alabama 1975, Sections 26-10A-1 to 26-10A-38
Web Site: http://www.legislature.state.al.us
Contact: House Bill Room
(334) 242-7637 Contact: Senate Bill Room
(334) 242-7825
Fee: no Fee: no

ALASKA
Citation: Alaska Statutes (1999), Sections 18.50.500; 18.50.510 and 25.23.005 to 25.23.240
Web Site: http://www.legis.state.ak.us
Contact: Legislative Information Office
(907) 465-4648
Fee: no

ARIZONA
Citation: Arizona Revised Statutes, Chapter 1, Article 1, Sections 8-101 to 8-135; 8-141 to 8-145; 8-161 to 8-166; 8-171 to 8-173
Web Site: http://www.azleg.state.az.us
Contact: Chief Clerk of the House
(602) 542-3032 Contact: State Senate Resource Center
(602) 542-3350
Fee: yes Fee: yes

ARKANSAS
Citation: Arkansas Code of 1987, Sections 9-9-101 to 9-9-103; 9-9-201 to 9-9-224; 9-9-301 to 9-9-303; 9-9-401 to 9-9-412; 9-9-501 to 9-9-508
Web Site: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us
Contact: Arkansas State Library
Reference Desk
(501) 682-2053
Fee: yes

CALIFORNIA
Citation: California General Laws, Family Law Code Sections 8500 to 8548; 8600 to 9206; 9300 to 9340
Web Site: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov

COLORADO
Citation: Colorado Revised Statutes (1999), Sections 19-5-200.2 to 19-5-216; 19-5-301 to 19-5-306; 19-5-402 to 19-5-403 and 25-2-113.5
Web Site: http://www.state.co.us
Contact: Office of Legislative Legal Services
(303) 866-2045
Fee: Yes

CONNECTICUT
Citation: General Statutes of Connecticut (1998), Sections 45a-706 to 45a-770
Web Site: http://www.cga.state.ct.us
Contact: Connecticut State Library
Law and Legislative Reference Unit
(860) 566-4544
Fee: yes

DELAWARE
Citation: Delaware Code, Title 13, Sections 901 to 932; 961 to 965
Web Site: http://www.state.de.us/research/assembly.htm
Contact: Law Librarian
Division of Research Legislative Council
(302) 739-5808
Fee: no

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Citation: District of Columbia Code (1999), Title 16 Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters, Chapter 3, Sections 16-301 to 16-315
Web Site: http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us
Contact: Legislative Services Division
(202) 724-8050
Fee: no

FLORIDA
Citation: Florida Statutes (1998), Sections 63.012 to 63.301
Web Site: http://www.leg.state.fl.us
Contact: State Law Library
Chapter Law Division
(850) 488-8427
Fee: yes

GEORGIA
Citation: Georgia Code, Sections 19-8-1 to 19-8-26
Web Site: http://www.ganet.org/services/leg
Contact: Laura Hyman
Assistant Attorney General
(404) 656-3388
Fee: no

GUAM
Citation: Guam Code, Title 19, Sections 4201 to 4221
Web Site: http://www.justice.gov.gu

HAWAII
Citation: Hawaii Revised Statutes, Sections 578-1 to 578-17
Web Site: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov
Contact: Legislative Reference Bureau Library
(808) 587-0690
Fee: yes

IDAHO
Citation: Idaho Statutes, Sections 16-1501 to 16-1515 and 39-258 to 39-259A
Web Site: http://www.state.id.us/legislat/legislat.html
Contact: Legislative Services Office
(208) 334-3175
Fee: no

ILLINOIS
Citation: Illinois Compiled Statutes (1998), 750, 50/0.01 to 750, 50/24
Web Site: http://www.legis.state.il.us/

INDIANA
Citation: Indiana Code (1998), Sections 31-19-1-1 to 31-19-29-6
Web Site: http://www.state.in.us/legislative
Contact: Office of Legislative Information
(317) 232-9856
Fee: yes

IOWA
Citation: Indiana Code (1998), Sections 600.1 to 600.25
Web Site: http://www.state.in.us/legislative

KANSAS
Citation: Kansas Statutes (1998), Sections 59-2111 to 59-2144
Web Site: http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/main.html
Contact: State Law Library
Legislative Reference Desk
(785) 296-2149
Fee: yes

KENTUCKY
Citation: Kentucky Revised Statutes (1998), Sections 199.470 to 199.590
Web Site: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us
Contact: Legislative Research Commission
(502) 564-8100
Fee: yes

LOUISIANA
Citation: Louisiana Revised Statues, Sections 40:72 to 40:79; Ch.C. Title XII, art. 1167 to 1278
Web Site: http://www.legis.state.la.us
Contact: House Docket Room
(225) 342-6458
Fee: yes

MAINE
Citation: Maine Revised Statutes (1999), Title 18-A, Sections 9-101 to 9-108; 9-201 to 9-205; 9-301 to 9-315; 9-401 to 9-404; Title 22, Sections 2706-A; 2765; 4171 to 4176; 8201 to 8206
Web Site: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ros/meconlaw.htm
Contact: State Law Library
Reference Desk
(207) 287-1600 Contact: Glenda Hamilton
Department of Health and Human Services
(207) 287-5036
Fee: no Fee: no

MARYLAND
Citation: Maryland Statutes (1999) Family Law, Sections 5-301 to 5-330; 5-401 to 5-415; 5-4A-01 to 5-4A-08; 5-4B-01 to 5-4B-12; 5-4C-01 to 5-4C-07
Web Site: http://mlis.state.md.us
Contact: Information Desk, Library Division
(410) 946-5400
Fee: yes

MASSACHUSETTS
Citation: Massachusetts General Laws (1998), Chapter 210, Sections 1 to 11A
Web Site: http://www.state.ma.us/legis/

MICHIGAN
Citation: Michigan Compiled Laws (1999), Sections 710.21 to 710.70; 722.954b to 722.960
Web Site: http://www.libraryofmichigan.org
http://www.michiganlegislature.org/
Contact: State Law Library
(517) 373-0630
Fee: yes

MINNESOTA
Citation: Minnesota Statutes (1999), Sections 259.20 to 259.89
Web Site: http://www.leg.state.mn.us
Contact: State Law Library
(651) 296-2775
Fee: yes

MISSISSIPPI
Citation: Mississippi Code of 1972 (1999), Sections 93-17-1 to 93-17-223
Web Site: http://www.ls.state.ms
Contact: Reference Bureau
(601) 359-3135
Fee: No

MISSOURI
Citation: Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 453, Sections 453.005 to 453.503
Web Site: http://www.moga.state.mo.us/
Contact: Contact your nearest local county library

MONTANA
Citation: Montana Code Annotated 1999, Sections 42-1-101 to 42-8-108; 42-10-101 to 42-10-128
Web Site: http://www.leg.state.mt.us/services/legal/laws.htm
Contact: Legislative Services Division
(406) 444-3064
Fee: yes

NEBRASKA
Citation: Nebraska Revised Statutes, Sections 43-101 to 43-165
Web Site: http://statutes.unicam.state.ne.us/
Contact: Bill Room
(402) 471-2609
Fee: no

NEVADA
Citation: Nevada Revised Statutes (1999), Sections 127.003 to 127.186; 127.220 to 127.420
Web Site: http://www.leg.state.nv.us
Contact: Publications Section
Legislative Counsel Bureau
(775) 684-6835
Fee: yes

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Citation: New Hampshire Revised Statutes (1999), Sections 170-B:1 to 170-B:26
Web Site: http://www.state.nh.us
Contact: Reference and Information Services
State Library
(603) 271-2239
Fee: yes

NEW JERSEY
Citation: New Jersey Revised Statutes (1999), Sections 9:3-38 to 9:3-55
Web Site: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us
Contact: Legislative Information and Bill Room
State House Annex
(609) 292-6395
Fee: no

NEW MEXICO
Citation: New Mexico Statutes (1999), Sections 32A-5-1 to 32A-5-45
Web Site: http://legis.state.nm.us
Contact: Legislative Council Services
(ask for library)
(505) 986-4600
Fee: no

NEW YORK
Citation: New York State Consolidated Laws, Domestic Relations Chapter 14, Article 7, Title 1-4; Social Services Chapter 55, Article 6, Title 1, Sections 372-374a; Public Health Chapter 45, Article 41, Title 3, Section 4138
Web Site: http://assembly.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/claws

NORTH CAROLINA
Citation: North Carolina General Statutes (1999), Sections 48-1-100 to 48-4-105; 48-6-100 to 48-6-102; 48-9-101 to 48-10-105
Web Site: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us
Contact: Printed Bills Room
State Legislative Building
(919) 733-5648
Fee: no

NORTH DAKOTA
Citation: North Dakota Century Code (1999), Sections 14-15-01 to 14-15-23
Web Site: http://www.state.nd.us/lr/

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
Citation: Northern Mariana Commonwealth Code Title 8, Sections 1401-1420
Web Site: http://www.cnmilaw.org

OHIO
Citation: Ohio Revised Code (1999), Sections 3107.01 to 3107.99
Web Site: http://orc.avv.com
Contact: Bill Room
Legislative Services Commission
(614) 466-9745
Fee: no

OKLAHOMA
Citation: Oklahoma Statutes Annotated (1999), Title 10, Sections 7501-1.1 to 7506-1.2; 7509-1.1 to 7510-3.3
Web Site: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us
Contact: Bill Distribution
State Capitol
(405) 521-5515
Fee: no

OREGON
Citation: Oregon Revised Statutes (1999), Sections 109.304 to 109.507; 432.425 to 432.420
Web Site: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors
Contact: Legislative Council
State Capitol
(503) 986-1243
Fee: yes

PENNSYLVANIA
Citation: Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (1999), Title 23, Sections 2101 to 2910
Web Site: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/
Contact: Legislative Reference
State Capitol Building
(717) 787-7385
Fee: no

PUERTO RICO
Citation: Puerto Rico Laws, Title 31, Sections 531 to 539; Title 32, Sections 2691 to 2699
Contact: (787) 724-3889
Fee: yes

RHODE ISLAND
Citation: General Laws of Rhode Island (1999), Sections 15-7-2 to 15-7-26; 15-7.1-1 to 15-7.1-4; 15-7.2-1 to 15-7.2-15
Web Site: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us
Contact: Public Information Center Library
(401) 222-2473

SOUTH CAROLINA
Citation: Code of Laws of South Carolina (1999), Sections 20-7-1650 to 20-7-1897
Web Site: http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/statmast.htm
Contact: Local County Library

SOUTH DAKOTA
Citation: South Dakota Codified Laws, Sections 25-6-1 to 25-6-23; 25-6A-1 to 25-6A-14
Web Site: http://www.state.sd.us/state/legis/lrc.htm
Contact: Legislative Research Council
State Capitol
(605) 773-3251
Fee: no

TENNESSEE
Citation: Tennessee Code (1999), Sections 36-1-102 to 36-1-305
Web Site: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/
Contact: Office of Legislative Services
(615) 741-3511
Fee: yes

TEXAS
Citation: Texas Family Code (1999), Sections 162.001 to 162.025; 162.101 to 162.107; 162.201 to 162.206; 162.301 to 162.309; 162.401 to 162.422
Web Site: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us
Contact: Local County Library

UTAH
Citation: Utah Code Annotated, Sections 78-30-1 to 78-30-19
Web Site: http://www.le.state.ut.us/
Contact: Legislative Bill Room
801-538-1588
Fee: yes

VERMONT
Citation: Vermont Statutes (1999), Title 15A, Sections 1-101 to 4-113; 6-102 to 7-105
Web Site: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/
Contact: Legislative Council
(802) 828-2231
Fee: no

VIRGINIA
Citation: Code of Virginia (1999), Sections 63.1-219.7 to 63.1-238.01
Web Site: http://legis.state.va.us
Contact: Legislative Information
(804) 698-1500
Fee: no

VIRGIN ISLANDS
Citation: Virgin Islands Code, Title 16, Sections 141-144

WASHINGTON
Citation: Revised Code of Washington, Sections 26.33.020 to 26.33.901; 26.34.010 to 26.34.080
Web Site: http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/default.htm

WEST VIRGINIA
Citation: West Virginia Code (1999), Sections 48-4A-1 to 48-4A-8 and 48-4-1 to 48-4-16
Web Site: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/
Contact: Clerk of the House
(304) 340-3200
Fee: no

WISCONSIN
Citation: Wisconsin Statutes (1999), Sections 48.40 to 48.975
Web Site: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/
Contact: Legislative Reference Room
(608) 226-0341
Fee: no
short abstracts

WYOMING
Citation: Wyoming Statutes (1999), Sections 1-22-101 to 1-22-203
Web Site: http://legisweb.state.wy.us/
Contact: Legislative Service Office
State Capitol
(307) 777-7881
Fee: yes

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1 There is some Federal statutory and constitutional law pertaining to adoptions, in such areas as adoption subsidies, adoption of Native American children, and the rights of unwed or putative fathers.

2 While every effort has been made to ensure that this resource listing is as accurate and timely as possible, the Clearinghouse cannot be held responsible for the content or services offered herein.

3 While every attempt has been made to be as complete as possible, additional information on a topic may be in other sections of a State's code.

4 Case law can be obtained from electronic legal databases and law libraries.

5 Agency regulations can be obtained from agency policy manuals.

Credits: Child Welfare Information Gateway (http://www.childwelfare.gov)