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Massachusetts's Adoption Laws
Massachusetts
Statute: Ch. 119 §§ 51E-51F
Records Confidential: Yes
Persons with access to records
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Attorneys, GAL's
Reporters of Abuse
Parents/Guardians
Review Teams
Persons without access to records
Agencies From Other States
Courts/Judges
Grand Juries
Law Enforcement
Attorneys General/Prosecutors
Physicians
Researchers
Employers
Coroners
Treatment Providers
Subject of Reports
Public/Any Person
Other Social
workers Persons authorized by court order
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
The consent may be signed four days following the birth. Pre-consents are not allowed in the state of Massachusetts. Revocation Time Frame in MassachusettsThe consent is irrevocable upon signing.
Massachusetts
Who May Adopt
Statute: Ch. 210 § 1
Any adult
Husband and
wife jointly
A minor with
his spouse to adopt the natural child of one of the parties
Who May Be Adopted
Statute: Ch. 210 § 1
Any person younger than the petitioner,
except for a spouse, sibling, or aunt or uncle
Who May Place a Child for Adoption
Statute: Ch. 210, §§ 2; 11A
The child's
parent(s)
The
Department of Social Services
A licensed
child-placing agency
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
No information currently available.
Massachusetts
Birth Parent Expenses Allowed
Not addressed in
statutes reviewed
Birth Parent Expenses Not Allowed
Not addressed in
statutes reviewed
Allowable Payments for Arranging Adoption Statute: Ch. 210 §
11A
Only authorized agents or
employees of the Department of Social Services may advertise or accept payment
for arranging adoptions.
Allowable Payments for Relinquishing Child Statute: Ch. 210 §
11A
It is
unlawful for an unauthorized person to accept payment for placing a child for
adoption.
Allowable Fees Charged by Department/Agency
Not addressed in
statutes reviewed
Accounting of Expenses Required by Court
The statutes
do not require this.
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
No information currently available.
Massachusetts
Agency or Person Gathering Information
or Preparing Report Statute: Ch. 210, § 5A
- Department of Social Services
- Charitable corporation as assigned by the court
Contents of Report About Person to be Adopted Statute: Ch. 210,
§ 5A
- Conditions and antecedents of the child
- Federal registry for missing children check
Contents of Report About Birth Parents Statute: Ch. 210, § 5D
Medical, ethnic, and
socio-economic information and level of education
Contents of Report About Adoptive Parents Statute: Ch. 210, §
5A
Suitability of home and as parents
© This information is from the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
If you are an adoption professional and have updated information for this portion of our site let us know by contacting us at 1-800-ADOPTION or e-mail us at editors@americanadoptions.com.
American Adoptions, Inc. provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.
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