CHAPTER 5.  ADOPTION OF A HAGUE CONVENTION ADOPTEE

Art. 1285.1.  Petition; contents; form

A.  The petition for adoption of a Hague Convention adoptee shall be styled: "In re __________, Applying for Adoption of Hague Convention Adoptee."  The petition or an attached exhibit shall state:

(1)  The full name, address, age, occupation, and marital status of each petitioner.

(2)  The name by which the child is known to petitioners as well as the name under which the birth of the child is recorded.

(3)  The place and date of the birth of the child if known; if not known, then the approximate age of the child.

(4)  The date and circumstances under which the child entered the home of the petitioner.

(5)  Any relationship existing between the petitioner and the child.

B.  The petition shall be accompanied by a Hague Custody Declaration issued by a United States consular officer and a copy of the child's IH-4 visa or a certificate from the United States Secretary of State that the legal custody of the child was granted in compliance with federal law.  Documents related to a convention adoption shall require no authentication in order to be admissible unless a specific and supported claim is made that the documents are false, have been altered or are otherwise unreliable.

Acts 2013, No. 86, §1.