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Mass. General Laws c.210

Adoption of children and change of names

This page links to the current, accurate version of each section of G.L. c.210.

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§ 1 Nature of adoption; district or juvenile court 

Amended April 8, 2022 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 
§ 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 
§ 14 Annual return of changes of name 

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