Skip to main content

Mass. General Laws c.210

Adoption of children and change of names

This page links to an unofficial version of each section of G.L. c. 210.

Skip table of contents
You skipped the table of contents section.
§ 1 Nature of adoption; district or juvenile court

Amended by St.2022, c.44, § 2, effective July 7, 2022.

§ 2 Written consent of certain persons; form of consent; identification of father
§ 2A Decree of adoption; entry; conditions precedent
§ 2B Adoption decrees; mandatory language
§ 3 Dispensing with required consent in certain cases
§ 3B Registration of interest for pre-adoptive or adoptive placement; criminal record review
§ 4 Notice
§ 4A Fathers of children born out of wedlock; adoption rights
§ 5 Failure to object after notice; proceedings
§ 5A Children under fourteen; adoption; regulations; removals
§ 5B Adoptive custody; factors considered; request for religious designation
§ 5C Inspection of pleadings, reports, etc.; docket book
§ 5D Release of information concerning adoption
§ 5E Department of children and families adoption report

Repealed by St. 2026, c. 179, § 58, effective November 4, 2026

§ 6 Decree of court; force and effect; private hearings
§ 6A Certificates of adoption
§ 6B Adoption nunc pro tunc
§ 6C Agreement for post-adoption contact or communication
§ 6D Enforcement of agreement
§ 6E Decisions of adoptive parent on behalf of child
§ 9 Succession to property; right of child adopted in foreign state
§ 10 Second adoption; effect
§ 11 Appeals
§ 11A Adoption services offered by certain persons or agencies; penalty
§ 12 Petitions for change of name
§ 13 Notice and certificate; decree; entry; conditions precedent

Amended by St. 2025, c. 73, § 53, effective November 25, 2025.

§ 14 Annual return of changes of name

Contact

Online

Library locations and phone numbers
Chat with a law librarian online
Email a reference librarian: lawlibraries@jud.state.ma.us

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback