Adoption Law Arizona

1. who is twenty-one years of age or less and
2. who is not an illegal alien
3. who is present within this state at the time the petition for adoption is filed.

1. a financial statement and
2. a physician's statement of each applicant's physical health

1. A complete social history.
2. The financial condition of the applicant.
3. The moral fitness of the applicant.
4. The religious background of the applicant.
5. The physical and mental health condition of the applicants.
6. Any court action for or adjudication of child abuse, abandonment of children, dependency or termination of parent-child relationship in which the applicant had control, care or custody of the child who was the subject of the action.
7. Whether the person or persons wish to be placed on the central registry established in subsection L of this section.
8. All other facts bearing on the issue of the fitness of the prospective adoptive parents that the court, agency or division may deem relevant.

1. The full name, age and place of residence of the prospective adoptive parent and,
2. if married, the date and place of marriage and the relationship if any to the child.
3. that a certificate of acceptability to adopt has been issued in favor of the prospective adoptive parent and the date of its issuance or the reason preadoption certification is not required.
4. The date when the prospective adoptive parent acquired custody of the child and from what person or agency, or, if not in custody, the present custodial circumstances.
5. The date and place of birth of the child.
6. The name of the child or the fictitious name to be used in the proceedings and, if a change of name is desired, the name.
7. That it is the desire of the prospective adoptive parent to adopt the child.
8. A full description and statement of the value of all property owned or possessed by the child.
9. If the child being adopted is a ward of the court, that written consent to adopt has been given by the division or the agency that has been given custody of the ward or any reason that consent need not be given.
10. Full disclosure of any fees or anything of value given or paid to any person or organization in connection with the adoption of the child.
11. Any written consent required by this article may be attached to the petition or may be filed after the filing of the petition at or before the hearing.
12. Notice of hearing on petition to adopt; service.

After a petition to adopt has been filed, the clerk of the superior court shall set a time and place for a hearing by the court. Notice shall be as provided for the service of process in civil actions to:

1. The petitioner.
2. The agency, if any.
3. The person or agency conducting the social study.
4. Any person or agency required to give consent unless the consent with a waiver of notice of hearing has been filed before the hearing.
5. Any person who has initiated a paternity action.

SOCIAL STUDY REPORT

1. The social history, heritage and mental and physical condition of the child and the child's birth parents.
2. The child's current placement in the prospective adoptive parent's home and the child's adjustment to that home.
3. The prospective adoptive parent's suitability to adopt.
4. The existing and proposed arrangements regarding the child's custody.
5. Any financial arrangement concerning the proposed adoption made by the birth parents, the division, an agency, an attorney or the prospective adoptive parents.
6. A state and federal criminal records check of the prospective adoptive parent and each adult who is living permanently with the prospective adoptive parent except a birth or legal parent with custody of the child.
7. A central registry records check, including any history of child welfare referrals, with the division of the prospective adoptive parent and each adult who is living permanently with the prospective adoptive parent.
8. Any other information that is pertinent to the adoption proceedings.

The social study conducted shall contain a definite recommendation for or against the proposed adoption and the reasons for that recommendation.

 

The social study conducted may consist only of the results of the state and federal criminal records check and the central registry records check if either of the following is true:

1. The prospective adoptive parent is the child's stepparent who has been legally married to the child's birth or legal parent for at least one year and the child has resided with the stepparent and parent for at least one year.
2. The prospective adoptive parent is the child's adult sibling, by the whole or half blood, or the child's aunt, uncle, grandparent or great-grandparent and the child has resided with the prospective adoptive parent for at least one year.

If the child being considered for adoption has resided with the prospective adoptive parent for at least six months and the prospective adoptive parent either has adopted a child or was appointed the permanent guardian of the child within three years preceding the current application, or is a foster parent who is licensed by this state, the social study conducted pursuant may consist only of the following:

1. The results of the central registry records check to be conducted.
2. A review of any material changes in circumstances that have occurred since the previous adoption, permanent guardianship or license renewal that affect the prospective adoptive parent's ability to adopt the child or for the child to be placed in the prospective adoptive parent's home.