reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
13 DE Code § 921. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 921. Report of vital statistics data.

§ 921. Report of vital statistics data. (a) Upon the entry of a decree of adoption, the Clerk of the Family Court shall forward to the Department of Health and Social Services, Office of Vital Statistics, a report on the form provided for this purpose, which shall include the following information:  (1) Prior legal name of the child and his or her sex; (2) Date and place of birth of the child; (3) Name of the father as stated on the original birth certificate, if stated; (4) If applicable, that father's primary address and Social Security number; (5) Maiden name of birth mother; (6) Birth mother's primary address and Social Security number; (7) Child's name after adoption; (8) Name of adoptive father, place and date of his birth, and his occupation; (9) Maiden name of adoptive mother, place and date of her birth, and her occupation; and (10) Address of adoptive parents. (b) If the adoptive child was born in another state, the Clerk of the Family Court in which the order was entered shall forward the same information to the Bureau of Vital Statistics, or like agency, in the state of the child's birth. Code 1935, §  3551M;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  921;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  9;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  71 Del. Laws, c. 481, §  4;
13 DE Code § 922. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 922. Birth certificate.

§ 922. Birth certificate. (a) If a child born in this State is adopted in this State or in another state, the State Registrar shall file a new certificate of birth upon receipt of a certified copy of the decree of adoption from the proper authorities of the state in which the adoption took place. (b) If the adopted child was born outside this State, and a certificate of birth cannot be secured from the place of birth, the State Registrar may file and issue a special birth certificate as herein provided, upon receipt from the agency responsible for the adoption of evidence of the birth, considered satisfactory by the Registrar. Code 1935, §  3551M;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  922;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 924. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 924. Confidential nature of Court records.

§ 924. Confidential nature of Court records. Except as provided in subchapter III of this chapter, all court records of any adoption shall be treated as strictly confidential and shall be kept by the Clerk of the Court in a sealed container which shall be opened only upon the order of the Judge of Family Court concerned. Nothing in this section shall be construed in such a way as to restrict the Department or licensed agency from releasing nonidentifying information in its records to any of the parties to the adoption. Except as otherwise provided in § 929 and subchapter III of this title, identifying information, such as names and addresses, shall not be released except by order of the Court or with the consent of all the parties involved when it is deemed by the agency to be in the adoptee's best interest, except in cases where the adopted individual's health or the health of any blood relative of the adopted individual is concerned and the adoption agency has refused to release the health information to the individual, the Court may, through petition by the adopted individual, permit the party to inspect only that part of the adoption agency or Court record containing medical information for health reasons. The Court shall order open to inspection by the individual the part of the record containing the needed medical information if the Court finds that any medical information in the Court or adoption agency record of the individual's adoption is needed for the health of the individual or of any blood relative of the individual. This section shall apply to information as to the identification and location of any biological sibling of the individual if the individual's health or the health of any blood relative of the individual depends on the sibling's participation in any medical treatment. If Family Court receives a report stating that a birth parent, another offspring of the birth parent or the adoptee has a genetically transmitted disorder or a family pattern of a disease, Family Court shall instruct the agency that was involved with the adoption or the termination of parental rights to conduct a diligent search for the adult adoptee, adoptive parents of a minor adoptee or birth parent or parents to inform them of the report. Code 1935, §  3551N;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  924;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §§  1, 2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 420, §  3;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  10;  64 Del. Laws, c. 387, §  1;  67 Del. Laws, c. 106, §  2;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  69 Del. Laws, c. 433, §§  3, 4;
13 DE Code § 925. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 925. Inspection of Court records.

§ 925. Inspection of Court records. Except as provided in subchapter III of this chapter, anyone wishing to inspect any of the papers filed in connection with any adoption shall petition the Judge of the Family Court concerned setting forth the reasons for the inspection. The Judge shall refer the petition to the Department or licensed agency for investigation and recommendation. If in the opinion of the Court, the information is necessary, and the interest of the adopted individual, the biological or previous legal parent or parents or of the adoptive parents will not be prejudiced by its disclosure, the Court shall issue an order permitting the release of the information and setting forth the terms under which it shall be released. Code 1935, §  3551N;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  925;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  6;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  69 Del. Laws, c. 341, §  1;  69 Del. Laws, c. 433, §  3;
13 DE Code § 926. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 926. Receiving child into State for adoption.

§ 926. Receiving child into State for adoption. No child shall be brought or received into the State for the purpose of adoption without the approval of the Department, pursuant to § 381 of Title 31. No petition for adoption of a child brought or received into this State in violation of this section shall be presented or granted. Code 1935, §  3551P;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  926;  57 Del. Laws, c. 363, §  7;  60 Del. Laws, c. 241, §  6;  64 Del. Laws, c. 108, §  10;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 927. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 927. Foreign adoptions; validity.

§ 927. Foreign adoptions; validity. (a) Adoptions finalized by a Court with appropriate jurisdiction in a foreign country or in another state or territory of the United States shall be valid in this State provided that the final adoption decree was issued in full accord with the adoption laws of that foreign country or that state or territory, and that the child was not brought into this State until after the finalization of adoption. (b) No adoption proceeding or order therein which occurs in a foreign country or in another state or territory of the United States shall be valid or recognized by any court in this State as respects persons who are residents of this State where a child is brought into this State prior to the finalization of the adoption, unless the adoption proceedings shall be in substantial compliance with the adoption laws of this State. This subsection shall not apply to any adoption proceedings or order therein initiated in a foreign country or in another state or territory of the United States as respects persons who are not residents of this State at the time of the commencement of such adoption proceedings. (c) Adoptive parents seeking an order certifying the validity of their foreign adoption decree shall file the decree with the Family Court in the county in which they reside. An affidavit shall be filed with the decree indicating that the decree was issued in accordance with the laws of the issuing jurisdiction and that the adopted child was not brought into Delaware until the adoption was finalized. Also included in the affidavit shall be the name by which the child is henceforth to be known. The Court shall review the affidavit, decree and other documents, and if the adoption meets the requirements of this section, the Court shall issue an order certifying the validity of the adoption including the child's American name. Code 1915, §  3063;  38 Del. Laws, c. 162, §  1;  Code 1935, §§  3549, 3551P;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  927;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  72 Del. Laws, c. 306, §§  1, 2;  73 Del. Laws, c. 343, §  1;
13 DE Code § 928. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 928. Contributions and fees.

§ 928. Contributions and fees. (a) No biological parent of any child whose adoption is proposed shall receive any contribution, fee, subsidy or emolument of any sort from any person or organization having any connection or association with the placement of the child for adoption or with the adoption. (b) No person or organization who is in any way connected with an adoption shall receive any remuneration in connection therewith, except for court costs and legal services; provided, however, that the Department, licensed agency or authorized agency may charge a service fee for each adoption in an amount not exceeding the cost of services rendered, to be paid by the adopting parent or parents. The amount of any such fee shall be made a part of the petition as provided in § 906(10) of this title. (c) The Department, in its discretion in accordance with federal law and the regulations and interpretations thereof, may award subsidy moneys to the adoptive parent of a child who was in Department custody prior to the adoption petition being filed. The amount and duration of the subsidy shall be in the sole discretion of the Department. Code 1935, §  3551Q;  48 Del. Laws, c. 134, §  3;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  928;  51 Del. Laws, c. 143, §  4;  59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  10;  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  77 Del. Laws, c. 43, §  8;
13 DE Code § 929. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 929. Exchange of identifying information.

§ 929. Exchange of identifying information. (a) As part of the adoption planning and placement process, the Department or licensed agency may provide, when in the best interest of the child, identifying information to the birth parent or parents and to the adoptive parent or parents as follows:  (1) In the preplacement planning of adoption for children, identifying information shall be limited to the viewing of photographs, provided that such viewing is with the consent of birth parent or parents and adoptive parent or parents and further provided that no additional identifying information is contained in the photographs; (2) After the placement selection process has been completed, and prior to the finalization of the adoption, identifying information may include, but is not limited to, the exchange of names, addresses, photographs and face-to-face meetings, provided that:  a. The birth parent or parents and adoptive parent or parents request the exchange of identifying information in writing; and b. Birth parent or parents and adoptive parent or parents and the Department or licensed agency agree to the exchange of identifying information as specified in writing; and c. The birth parent or parents and adoptive parent or parents acknowledge in writing their understanding that no legal right of or assurance of continuing contact after finalization of the adoption exists; and d. The birth parent or parents and adoptive parent or parents acknowledge in writing and under oath that there has been no violation of § 928 of this title. (3) Written consent to the exchange of identifying information, duly acknowledged, must be given by any child 14 years of age or over unless the Department or licensed agency deems it to be in the best interest of the child that such consent be waived. (b) The Department or licensed agency may participate in the exchange of identifying information after the finalization of the adoption only with the agreement of the parties required to consent in accordance with subchapter III of this chapter or an order of the Court. 67 Del. Laws, c. 106, §  1(b);  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;  69 Del. Laws, c. 433, §  5;
13 DE Code § 930. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 930. Advertising for adoption.

§ 930. Advertising for adoption. No natural parent or prospective adoptive parent, nor anyone acting on behalf of such natural or prospective adoptive parent, and no person, firm, corporation, organization or other legal entity, except the Department or a licensed agency, shall advertise in this State regarding the availability of adoption services or for the placement of a child for the purpose of adoption. 68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 931. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 931. Penalties.

§ 931. Penalties. Except as provided in this subchapter, whoever places a child in this State for the purpose of adoption, brings or receives a child from outside this State into this State for the purpose of adoption, advertises in this State regarding adoption services or for the placement of a child for the purpose of adoption, or acts as an intermediary for the purpose of adoption, shall be fined not more than $5,000, or shall be imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. 68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 932. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter I. Minors|§ 932. Interpretation.

§ 932. Interpretation. This chapter is designed to achieve without undue delay the paramount objectives of the best interest of the child, and all questions of interpretation shall be resolved with that objective in mind. Where there appears to be a conflict between the best interest of the parent or parents and the child, the best interest of the child shall prevail. 59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  13;  62 Del. Laws, c. 420, §  4;  67 Del. Laws, c. 106, §  1(a);  68 Del. Laws, c. 259, §  1;
13 DE Code § 951. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter II. Persons 18 Years of Age or Over|§ 951. Who may adopt.

§ 951. Who may adopt. The following persons, who desire to adopt any person or persons over 18 years of age, shall file a petition in the Family Court of the county in which any of the petitioner(s) or the person(s) to be adopted resides:  (1) Any person petitioning individually; (2) A married couple petitioning jointly; or (3) A nonmarried couple petitioning jointly, provided that they are cohabiting, as that term is defined in §  1512(g) of this title.27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  951;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  12;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  82 Del. Laws, c. 171, § 2;
13 DE Code § 952. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter II. Persons 18 Years of Age or Over|§ 952. Contents of petition.

§ 952. Contents of petition. The petition shall state the name, sex and date of birth of the person or persons whose adoption is sought and that the petitioner or petitioners desire to adopt such person or persons. The petition shall be signed by the petitioner or petitioners. 27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  952;
13 DE Code § 953. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter II. Persons 18 Years of Age or Over|§ 953. Decree of adoption.

§ 953. Decree of adoption. If the petition complies with the requirements of §§ 951 and 952 of this title, and if the person or persons to be adopted appear in court and consent to the adoption, the Family Court may render a decree ordering the issuance of a certificate of adoption to the petitioner or petitioners. The decree shall state the sex, age and the name by which the person or persons adopted shall thereafter be known. 27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  953;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;
13 DE Code § 954. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter II. Persons 18 Years of Age or Over|§ 954. Effect of adoption.

§ 954. Effect of adoption. Upon the issuance of the decree of adoption and forever thereafter, all the duties, rights, privileges and obligations recognized by law between parent and child shall exist between the petitioner or petitioners and the person or persons adopted, as fully and to all intents and purposes as if such person or persons were the lawful and natural offspring or issue of the petitioner or petitioners. 27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  954;
13 DE Code § 955. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter II. Persons 18 Years of Age or Over|§ 955. Record of adoption.

§ 955. Record of adoption. The Clerk of Court shall file the petition and all papers pertaining thereto among the records of the Court, and shall record in the record book in which the record of other adoptions is kept all the proceedings in such case, together with the decree of the Court, which record or a duly certified copy thereof shall be evidence. 27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  955;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;
13 DE Code § 956. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter II. Persons 18 Years of Age or Over|§ 956. Costs.

§ 956. Costs. The costs shall be taxed by the Court on the petitioner or petitioners. 27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  956;
13 DE Code § 961. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter III. Access to Identifying Information|§ 961. Records.

§ 961. Records. As of January 1, 1995, all adoption records presently maintained in the Prothonotary's Office shall be transferred to Family Court for permanent retention. 69 Del. Laws, c. 433, §  2;
13 DE Code § 962. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter III. Access to Identifying Information|§ 962. Search and reunion services.

§ 962. Search and reunion services. (a) An adoptee 21 years of age or older who has obtained a copy of a vital record under § 3110 of Title 16 may request that a licensed adoption agency assist in locating any of the following:  (1) Either or both birth parents; (2) If a birth parent is deceased, siblings (full or half) of the birth parent; (3) Birth siblings (full or half) of the adoptee. (b) When a licensed adoption agency locates an individual sought by an adoptee 21 years of age or older, the agency will advise the located individual of the right to make a no-contact declaration. If a no-contact declaration is made either verbally to a licensed adoption worker or in a writing filed with the agency, the agency will so advise the adoptee and no further assistance will be provided. If a no-contact declaration is not expressed, the agency shall immediately advise the searching adoptee of the located individual's current name, address, and telephone number. (c) If requested, the agency shall provide counseling or intermediary services, or both, to the searching adoptee or the located individual, or to both. 71 Del. Laws, c. 481, §  6;
13 DE Code § 963. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9. Adoption|Subchapter III. Access to Identifying Information|§ 963. Immunity from liability.

§ 963. Immunity from liability. Any person or agency, including the State or any governmental subdivision of this State, who participated in good faith in any requirement of this subchapter, shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that results from such person's or agency's actions. In any proceeding, civil or criminal, the good faith of any person participating in the requirement of this subchapter shall be presumed. 69 Del. Laws, c. 433, §  2;  71 Del. Laws, c. 481, §  6;
13 DE Code § 1301. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13. Illegitimate Children|Subchapter I. General Provisions|§ 1301. Legitimating child conceived out of wedlock.

§ 1301. Legitimating child conceived out of wedlock. A child conceived out of wedlock shall be legitimate if the parents shall marry before the birth of the child or if they shall marry after adjudication or acknowledgment of parentage after the birth of the child, or upon acknowledgment of the paternity made in writing by the parents, if both are living or by the father if the mother is not living and filed in the Office of Vital Statistics according to § 8-302 of this title or § 3121 of Title 16. 11 Del. Laws, c. 243, §  1;  24 Del. Laws, c. 224, §  1;  Code 1915, §  3087;  32 Del. Laws, c. 184, §  7;  Code 1935, §  3573;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  1301;  69 Del. Laws, c. 296, §  21;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
13 DE Code § 1302. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13. Illegitimate Children|Subchapter I. General Provisions|§ 1302. Inheritance from illegitimate person dying intestate.

§ 1302. Inheritance from illegitimate person dying intestate. When an illegitimate person dies intestate and without lawful issue, his or her property, real and personal, if there is any, shall pass, and belong to his or her mother, if living, and, in case of her death, to her heirs, subject always to the payment of debts and demands against such illegitimate person and to expenses of administration. 11 Del. Laws, c. 243, §  1;  24 Del. Laws, c. 224, §  1;  Code 1915, §  3087;  32 Del. Laws, c. 184, §  7;  Code 1935, §  3573;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  1302;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
13 DE Code § 1303. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13. Illegitimate Children|Subchapter I. General Provisions|§ 1303. Inheritance from mother of illegitimate person.

§ 1303. Inheritance from mother of illegitimate person. When the mother of an illegitimate child dies intestate, such illegitimate child, or the issue of such who may be dead, shall share in her real and personal estate, in the same manner as legitimate children or their issue. Code 1915, §  3087A;  29 Del. Laws, c. 229, §  1;  30 Del. Laws, c. 200, §  1;  Code 1935, §  3574;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  1303;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;
13 DE Code § 1304. (2021)
2021 Delaware Code|Title 13 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 13. Illegitimate Children|Subchapter I. General Provisions|§ 1304. Inheritance from father of illegitimate person.

§ 1304. Inheritance from father of illegitimate person. Any person legitimated as provided by § 1301 of this title shall inherit from the father under the inheritance laws of this State to the same extent as a child conceived in wedlock of that father. 11 Del. Laws, c. 243, §  1;  24 Del. Laws, c. 224, §  1;  Code 1915, §  3087;  32 Del. Laws, c. 184, §  7;  Code 1935, §  3573;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  1304;  55 Del. Laws, c. 179;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;