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2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.140 - Confidentiality of hearings, files and records.

1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 239.0115, all hearings held in proceedings under this chapter are confidential and must be held in closed court, without admittance of any person other than the petitioners, their witnesses, the director of an agency, or their authorized representatives, attorneys and persons entitled to notice by this chapter, except by order of the court.
2. The files and records of the court in adoption proceedings are not open to inspection by any person except:
(a) Upon an order of the court expressly so permitting pursuant to a petition setting forth the reasons therefor;
(b) If a natural parent and the child are eligible to receive information from the State Register for Adoptions; or
(c) As provided pursuant to subsections 3 to 6, inclusive.
3. An adoptive parent who intends to file a petition pursuant to NRS 127.1885 or 127.1895 to enforce, modify or terminate an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact may inspect only the portions of the files and records of the court concerning the agreement for postadoptive contact.
4. A natural parent who intends to file a petition pursuant to NRS 127.1885 to prove the existence of or to enforce an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact or to file an action pursuant to NRS 41.509 may inspect only the portions of the files or records of the court concerning the agreement for postadoptive contact.
5. Upon the request of a sibling or adoptive child who wishes to enforce an order for visitation included in a decree of adoption pursuant to NRS 127.2827, the court shall provide the case number of the adoption proceeding to the sibling and allow the sibling to inspect only the portions of the files or records of the court concerning the order for visitation.
6. The portions of the files and records which are made available for inspection by an adoptive parent, natural parent or sibling pursuant to subsection 3, 4 or 5 must not include any confidential information, including, without limitation, any information that identifies or would lead to the identification of a natural parent if the identity of the natural parent is not included in the agreement for postadoptive contact or order for visitation, as applicable.
[14:332:1953]—(NRS A 1979, 1283; 2005, 1682; 2007, 2074; 2017, 1987)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.145 - Attendance of prospective adoptive parents at hearing by telephone.

1. The prospective adoptive parents may attend by telephone, in lieu of attending in person, any hearings held by the court concerning the petition for adoption if:
(a) The prospective adoptive parents reside in another state or jurisdiction;
(b) The petition for adoption is filed for the adoption of a child who is in the custody of an agency which provides child welfare services or a child-placing agency licensed by the Division pursuant to this chapter; and
(c) A representative of the agency responsible for supervising the child in the state where the child will be placed appears at the hearing by telephone.
2. The appearance of the prospective adoptive parents and the representative of the agency described in paragraph (c) of subsection 1 must occur at the office of the agency or at the home of the prospective adoptive parents, as determined by the agency.
3. If the prospective adoptive parents are attending a hearing by telephone pursuant to subsection 1, the court shall place the telephone call to a telephone number known to be a telephone number of the agency described in paragraph (c) of subsection 1 or of the prospective adoptive parents.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 144)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.150 - Order of adoption or return of child; presumption of child’s best interest after adoption is granted.

1. If the court finds that the best interests of the child warrant the granting of the petition, an order or decree of adoption must be made and filed, ordering that henceforth the child is the child of the petitioners. When determining whether the best interests of the child warrant the granting of a petition that is filed by a foster parent, the court shall give strong consideration to the emotional bond between the child and the foster parent. A copy of the order or decree must be sent to the nearest office of the agency which provides child welfare services by the petitioners within 7 days after the order or decree is issued. In the decree the court may change the name of the child, if desired.
2. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an order or decree of adoption may not be made until after the child has lived for 6 months in the home of the petitioners. This subsection does not apply if one of the petitioners is the stepparent of the child or is related to the child within the third degree of consanguinity.
3. If the court is not satisfied that the proposed adoption is in the best interests of the child, the court shall deny the petition and may order the child returned to the custody of the person or agency legally vested with custody. The court shall not deny a petition solely because the petitioner:
(a) Is deaf, is blind or has another physical disability; or
(b) Is the holder of a valid registry identification card.
4. After a petition for adoption has been granted, there is a presumption that remaining in the home of the adopting parent is in the child’s best interest.
5. As used in this section:
(a) "Blind" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 426.082.
(b) "Holder of a valid registry identification card" means a person who holds a valid registry identification card as defined in NRS 678C.080 that identifies the person as:
(1) Exempt from state prosecution for engaging in the medical use of cannabis; or
(2) A designated primary caregiver as defined in NRS 678C.040.
[15:332:1953]—(NRS A 1961, 739; 1989, 1134; 1993, 2683; 1995, 734; 1999, 2026; 2001 Special Session, 5; 2015, 420; 2019, 2757)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.151 - Order of adoption: Required findings; required information when child is Indian child.

1. An order or decree entered pursuant to NRS 127.150 must include:
(a) A finding that the petitioner complied with the inquiry requirements under subsection 1 of NRS 125E.210 to determine whether there is reason to know that the child is an Indian child; and
(b) A finding that the child is or is not an Indian child.
2. In an adoption of an Indian child, the order or decree must include:
(a) The birth name and date of birth of the Indian child, the Indian child’s tribal affiliation and the name of the Indian child after adoption;
(b) If known, the names and addresses of the biological parents;
(c) The names and addresses of the adoptive parents;
(d) The name and contact information for any agency having files or information relating to the adoption;
(e) Any information relating to tribal membership or eligibility for tribal membership of the Indian child;
(f) The determination regarding the Indian child’s residence, domicile and tribal wardship status as required under NRS 125E.250;
(g) A finding that the petitioner complied with the notice requirements under subsection 2 of NRS 125.220;
(h) If the adoptive placement and the parents entered into a post-adoptive contact agreement or the adoptive placement and the Indian child’s tribe has entered into an agreement that requires the adoptive placement to maintain connection between the child and the child’s tribe, the terms of the agreement; and
(i) A finding that the adoptive placement complies with the placement preferences under NRS 125E.350 or, if the placement does not comply with the placement preferences under NRS 125E.350, a finding upon the petitioner’s motion under subsection 3 of NRS 125E.350 that good cause exists for placement contrary to the placement preferences.
3. For each finding or determination made under this section, the court must provide a description of the facts upon which the finding or determination is based.
4. Upon entry of the order or decree of adoption of an Indian child, the court shall provide to the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs copies of the order or decree entered pursuant to NRS 127.150, any affidavit signed by a consenting parent requesting anonymity, and all other required information in accordance with 25 C.F.R. § 23.140.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2247)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.152 - Adopting parents to be provided with report which includes medical records and other information concerning child; regulations.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, the agency which provides child welfare services or a licensed child-placing agency shall provide the adopting parents of a child with a report which includes:
(a) A copy of any medical records of the child which are in the possession of the agency which provides child welfare services or licensed child-placing agency.
(b) Any information obtained by the agency which provides child welfare services or licensed child-placing agency during interviews of the natural parent regarding:
(1) The medical and sociological history of the child and the natural parents of the child; and
(2) Any behavioral, emotional or psychological problems that the child may have. Information regarding any behavioral, emotional or psychological problems that the child may have must be discussed in accordance with policies established by an agency which provides child welfare services and a child-placing agency pursuant to regulations adopted by the Division for the disclosure of such information.
(c) Written information regarding any subsidies, assistance and other services that may be available to the child if it is determined pursuant to NRS 127.186 that the child has any special needs.
2. The agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency shall obtain from the adopting parents written confirmation that the adopting parents have received the report required pursuant to subsection 1.
3. The report required pursuant to subsection 1 must exclude any information that would lead to the identification of the natural parent.
4. The Division shall adopt regulations specifying the procedure and format for the provision of information pursuant to this section, which may include the provision of a summary of certain information. If a summary is provided pursuant to this section, the adopting parents of the child may also obtain the information set forth in subsection 1.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 733; A 1999, 148; 2001, 1111, 1849, 1850; 2001 Special Session, 6; 2003, 236)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.155 - Validation of certain orders and decrees.

Any order or decree of adoption entered after July 1, 1963, and before July 1, 1965, by a court of competent jurisdiction where there has not been a complete compliance with NRS 127.220 to 127.310, inclusive, is hereby declared valid.
(Added to NRS by 1965, 1320)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.157 - Report of adoption, amendment or annulment of adoption to State Registrar.

1. After an order or decree of adoption has been entered, the court shall direct the petitioner or his or her attorney to prepare a report of adoption on a form prescribed and furnished by the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. The report must:
(a) Identify the original certificate of birth of the person adopted;
(b) Provide sufficient information to prepare a new certificate of birth for the person adopted;
(c) Identify the order or decree of adoption; and
(d) Be certified by the clerk of the court.
2. The agency which provides child welfare services shall provide the petitioner or his or her attorney with any factual information which will assist in the preparation of the report required in subsection 1.
3. If an order or decree of adoption is amended or annulled, the petitioner or his or her attorney shall prepare a report to the State Registrar of Vital Statistics, which includes sufficient information to identify the original order or decree of adoption and the provisions of that decree which were amended or annulled.
4. The petitioner or his or her attorney shall forward all reports required by the provisions of this section to the State Registrar of Vital Statistics not later than the 10th day of the month next following the month in which the order or decree was entered, or more frequently if requested by the State Registrar, together with any related material the State Registrar may require.
(Added to NRS by 1977, 1348; A 1993, 2683; 2001 Special Session, 6)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.160 - Rights and duties of adopted child and adoptive parents.

Upon the entry of an order of adoption, the child shall become the legal child of the persons adopting the child, and they shall become the child’s legal parents with all the rights and duties between them of natural parents and legitimate child. By virtue of such adoption the child shall inherit from his or her adoptive parents or their relatives the same as though the child were the legitimate child of such parents, and in case of the death of the child intestate the adoptive parents and their relatives shall inherit the child’s estate as if they had been the child’s natural parents and relatives in fact. After a decree of adoption is entered, any parent who has signed a relinquishment or given consent to terminate his or her parental rights is relieved of all parental responsibilities for the adopted child and shall not exercise or have any rights over the adopted child or the property of the adopted child. The child does not owe a parent whose parental rights have been terminated any legal duty and may not inherit from a parent whose parental rights have been terminated or his or her kindred. Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary in this section, the adoption of a child does not in any way change the status of the relationship between the child and any legal parent who is a petitioner and whose parental rights have not been terminated.
[16:332:1953]—(NRS A 2021, 3406)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.165 - When action to set aside adoption may be brought; presumption of child’s best interest after adoption is granted.

1. A prior parent of a child may not bring an action to set aside an adoption after a petition for adoption has been granted, unless a court of competent jurisdiction has previously, in a separate action:
(a) Set aside the consent to the adoption;
(b) Set aside the relinquishment of the child for adoption; or
(c) Reversed an order terminating the parental rights of the parent.
2. After a petition for adoption has been granted, there is a presumption for the purposes of this chapter that remaining in the home of the adopting parents is in the child’s best interest.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 733; A 2021, 3407)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.171 - Right to visitation of child by sibling and other relatives; limitations.

1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 127.187 to 127.1895, inclusive, in a proceeding for the adoption of a child, the court may grant a reasonable right to visit to:
(a) A sibling of the child if the child is in the custody of an agency which provides child welfare services and a similar right has been granted previously pursuant to NRS 432B.580; and
(b) Certain relatives of the child only if a similar right had been granted previously pursuant to NRS 125C.050.
2. The agency which provides child welfare services shall provide the court which is conducting the adoption proceedings with a copy of any order for visitation with a sibling of the child that was issued pursuant to NRS 432B.580.
3. The court may not grant a right to visit the child to any person other than as specified in subsection 1.
(Added to NRS by 1987, 2049; A 2005, 1682; 2011, 145)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.180 - Appeals from orders, judgments or decrees.

Any person against whom any order, judgment or decree is made or who is affected thereby may appeal to the appellate court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to the rules fixed by the Supreme Court pursuant to Section 4 of Article 6 of the Nevada Constitution from any order, judgment or decree of the district court made under the provisions of this chapter, in the same manner as in other civil proceedings.
[18:332:1953]—(NRS A 2013, 1748)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.1861 - Petition to vacate order or decree of adoption of Indian child.

1. A petition to vacate an order or decree of adoption of an Indian child under this chapter may be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction by a parent who consented to the adoption.
2. Upon the filing of a petition under this section, the court shall set a time for a hearing on the petition and provide notice of the petition and hearing to each party to the adoption proceeding and to the Indian child’s tribe.
3. After a hearing on the petition, the court shall vacate the order or decree of adoption if:
(a) The petition is filed not later than 2 years following the date of the order or decree; and
(b) The court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the parent’s consent was obtained through fraud or duress.
4. When the court vacates an order or decree of adoption under this section, the court shall also order that the parental rights of the parent whose consent the court found was obtained through fraud or duress be restored. The order restoring parental rights under this section must include a plan for the physical custody of the Indian child, whether the Indian child will be placed with an agency which provides child welfare services or with the parent.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2248)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.1865 - Adoption records of Indian child to be provided to Indian child’s tribe or United States Secretary of the Interior upon request.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if an Indian child’s tribe or the United States Secretary of the Interior requests access to the adoption records of an Indian child, the court must make the records available not later than 14 days following the date of the request.
2. The records made available under subsection 1 must, at a minimum, include the petition, all substantive orders entered in the adoption proceeding, the complete record of the placement finding and, if the placement departs from the placement preferences under NRS 125E.350, detailed documentation of the efforts to comply with the placement preferences.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 2250)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.1875 - Notice of agreement to court.

1. Each prospective adoptive parent of a child to be adopted who enters into an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact pursuant to NRS 127.187 shall notify the court responsible for entering the order or decree of adoption of the child of the existence of the agreement as soon as practicable after the agreement is established, but not later than the time at which the court enters the order or decree of adoption of the child.
2. Each:
(a) Director or other authorized representative of the agency which provides child welfare services or the licensed child-placing agency involved in the adoption proceedings concerning the child; and
(b) Attorney representing a prospective adoptive parent, the child, the agency which provides child welfare services or the licensed child-placing agency in the adoption proceedings concerning the child,
shall, as soon as practicable after obtaining actual knowledge that the prospective adoptive parent or parents of the child and the natural parent or parents of the child have entered into an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact pursuant to NRS 127.187, notify the court responsible for entering the order or decree of adoption of the child of the existence of the agreement.
(Added to NRS by 2005, 1680)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.188 - Inquiry by court before entering order or decree of adoption; incorporation of agreement into such order or decree.

1. Before a court may enter an order or decree of adoption of a child, the court must address in person:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, each prospective adoptive parent of the child to be adopted;
(b) Each director or other authorized representative of the agency which provides child welfare services or the licensed child-placing agency involved in the adoption proceedings concerning the child; and
(c) Each attorney representing a prospective adoptive parent, the child, the agency which provides child welfare services or the licensed child-placing agency in the adoption proceedings concerning the child,
and inquire whether the person has actual knowledge that the prospective adoptive parent or parents of the child and natural parent or parents of the child have entered into an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact pursuant to NRS 127.187.
2. The court may for purposes of subsection 1 address a prospective adoptive parent described in NRS 127.145 by telephone.
3. If the court determines that the prospective adoptive parent or parents and the natural parent or parents have entered into an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact, the court shall:
(a) Order the prospective adoptive parent or parents to provide a copy of the agreement to the court; and
(b) Incorporate the agreement into the order or decree of adoption.
(Added to NRS by 2005, 1680; A 2011, 145)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.1885 - Petitions to court by natural parents and adoptive parents: Requirements.

1. A natural parent who has entered into an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact pursuant to NRS 127.187 may, for good cause shown:
(a) Petition the court that entered the order or decree of adoption of the child to prove the existence of the agreement that provides for postadoptive contact and to request that the agreement be incorporated into the order or decree of adoption; and
(b) During the period set forth in subsection 2 of NRS 127.189, petition the court that entered the order or decree of adoption of the child to enforce the terms of the agreement that provides for postadoptive contact if the agreement complies with the requirements of subsection 2 of NRS 127.187.
2. An adoptive parent who has entered into an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact pursuant to NRS 127.187 may:
(a) During the period set forth in subsection 2 of NRS 127.189, petition the court that entered the order or decree of adoption of the child to enforce the terms of the agreement that provides for postadoptive contact if the agreement complies with the requirements of subsection 2 of NRS 127.187; and
(b) Petition the court that entered the order or decree of adoption of the child to modify or terminate the agreement that provides for postadoptive contact in the manner set forth in NRS 127.1895.
3. A petition filed pursuant to this section must be:
(a) Filed under the same case number as the proceeding for adoption;
(b) Served by the natural parent or adoptive parent who filed the petition using registered mail upon each other natural parent or adoptive parent, as applicable, who has entered into the agreement that provides for postadoptive contact at the address provided pursuant to subsection 4 or 5 of NRS 127.187; and
(c) Heard by:
(1) If he or she is available, the judge who issued the order or decree of adoption of the child;
(2) If the judge described in subparagraph (1) is unavailable and if a family court has been established in the judicial district, a judge of the family court; or
(3) If the judge described in subparagraph (1) is unavailable and if a family court has not been established in the judicial district, any district judge of the judicial district.
(Added to NRS by 2005, 1680; A 2017, 1988)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.189 - Failure to comply; action to enforce terms.

1. Failure to comply with the terms of an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact entered into pursuant to NRS 127.187 may not be used as a ground to:
(a) Set aside an order or decree of adoption;
(b) Revoke, nullify or set aside a valid release for or consent to an adoption or a relinquishment for adoption; or
(c) Except as otherwise provided in NRS 41.509, award any civil damages to a party to the agreement.
2. Any action to enforce the terms of an agreement that provides for postadoptive contact must be commenced not later than 120 days after the date on which the agreement was breached.
(Added to NRS by 2005, 1681)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.1895 - Modification or termination: Conditions; presumptions and considerations; scope.

1. An agreement that provides for postadoptive contact entered into pursuant to NRS 127.187 may only be modified or terminated by an adoptive parent petitioning the court that entered the order or decree which included the agreement. The court may grant a request to modify or terminate the agreement only if:
(a) The adoptive parent petitioning the court for the modification or termination establishes that:
(1) A change in circumstances warrants the modification or termination; and
(2) The contact provided for in the agreement is no longer in the best interests of the child; or
(b) Each party to the agreement consents to the modification or termination.
2. If an adoptive parent petitions the court for a modification or termination of an agreement pursuant to this section:
(a) There is a presumption that the modification or termination is in the best interests of the child; and
(b) The court may consider the wishes of the child involved in the agreement.
3. Any order issued pursuant to this section to modify an agreement that provides postadoptive contact:
(a) May limit, restrict, condition or decrease contact between the parties involved in the agreement; and
(b) May not expand or increase the contact between the parties involved in the agreement or place any new obligation on an adoptive parent.
(Added to NRS by 2005, 1681)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.190 - Adoption of adults: Ages; agreement of adoption.

1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any adult person may adopt any other adult person younger than himself or herself, except the spouse of the adopting person, by an agreement of adoption approved by a decree of adoption of the district court in the county in which either the person adopting or the person adopted resides.
2. The agreement of adoption shall be in writing and shall be executed by the person adopting and the person to be adopted, and shall set forth that the parties agree to assume toward each other the legal relation of parent and child, and to have all of the rights and be subject to all of the duties and responsibilities of that relation.
(Added to NRS by 1959, 606)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.200 - Adoption of adults: Consent required.

1. A married person not lawfully separated from his or her spouse may not adopt an adult person without the consent of the spouse of the adopting person, if such spouse is capable of giving such consent.
2. A married person not lawfully separated from his or her spouse may not be adopted without the consent of the spouse of the person to be adopted, if such spouse is capable of giving such consent.
3. Neither the consent of the natural parent or parents of the person to be adopted, nor of the Division, nor of any other person is required.
(Added to NRS by 1959, 606; A 1963, 891; 1967, 1148; 1973, 1406; 1993, 2684)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.210 - Petition for approval of agreement of adoption; notice, investigation and hearing; decree of adoption.

1. The adopting person and the person to be adopted may file in the district court in the county in which either resides a petition praying for approval of the agreement of adoption by the issuance of a decree of adoption.
2. The court shall fix a time and place for hearing on the petition, and both the person adopting and the person to be adopted shall appear at the hearing in person, but if such appearance is impossible or impractical, appearance may be made for either or both of such persons by counsel empowered in writing to make such appearance.
3. The court may require notice of the time and place of the hearing to be served on other interested persons, and any such interested person may appear and object to the proposed adoption.
4. No investigation or report to the court by any public officer is required, but the court may require the Division to investigate the circumstances and report thereon, with recommendations, to the court before the hearing.
5. At the hearing the court shall examine the parties, or the counsel of any party not present in person. If the court is satisfied that the adoption will be for the best interests of the parties and in the public interest, and that there is no reason why the petition should not be granted, the court shall approve the agreement of adoption, and enter a decree of adoption declaring that the person adopted is the child of the person adopting him or her. Otherwise, the court shall withhold approval of the agreement and deny the prayer of the petition.
(Added to NRS by 1959, 606; A 1963, 892; 1967, 1148; 1973, 1406; 1993, 2684)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.220 - Definitions.

As used in NRS 127.220 to 127.310, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Agency which provides child welfare services" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 432B.030.
2. "Arrange the placement of a child" means to make preparations for or bring about any agreement or understanding concerning the adoption of a child.
3. "Child-placing agency" means a nonprofit corporation organized pursuant to chapter 82 of NRS, and licensed by the Division to place children for adoption or permanent free care.
4. "Person" includes a hospital.
5. "Recommend the placement of a child" means to suggest to a child-placing agency that a prospective adoptive parent be allowed to adopt a specific child, born or in utero.
(Added to NRS by 1963, 1298; A 1981, 719; 1985, 508; 1987, 2051; 1989, 531; 1991, 1310; 1993, 71, 2685, 2734; 1999, 2026; 2001 Special Session, 8)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.230 - Standards for and regulation of child-placing agencies; regulation of agencies which provide child welfare services; regulation of adoption or placement of children.

1. The Division shall:
(a) Establish reasonable minimum standards for child-placing agencies.
(b) In consultation with each agency which provides child welfare services, adopt:
(1) Regulations concerning the operation of an agency which provides child welfare services and child-placing agencies.
(2) Regulations establishing the procedure to be used by an agency which provides child welfare services and a child-placing agency in placing children for adoption, which must allow the natural parent or parents and the prospective adoptive parent or parents to determine, by mutual consent, the amount of identifying information that will be communicated concerning each of them.
(3) Any other regulations necessary to carry out its powers and duties regarding the adoption of children or the placement of children for adoption or permanent free care, including, without limitation, such regulations necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
2. Each agency which provides child welfare services and child-placing agency shall conform to the standards established and the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection 1.
(Added to NRS by 1963, 1298; A 1967, 1149; 1973, 1406; 1987, 2051; 1993, 108, 2685, 2737; 2001 Special Session, 8)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.240 - License: Requirement; exceptions.

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person may place, arrange the placement of, or assist in placing or in arranging the placement of, any child for adoption or permanent free care without securing and having in full force a license to operate a child-placing agency issued by the Division. This subsection applies to agents, servants, physicians and attorneys of parents or guardians, as well as to other persons.
2. This section does not prohibit a parent or guardian from placing, arranging the placement of, or assisting in placing or in arranging the placement of, any child for adoption or permanent free care if the placement is made pursuant to the provisions of NRS 127.280, 127.2805 and 127.2815.
3. This section does not prohibit an agency which provides child welfare services from placing, arranging the placement of, or assisting in placing or in arranging the placement of, any child for adoption or permanent free care.
4. This section does not prohibit a person, including a person acting in his or her professional capacity, from sharing information regarding an adoption if no money or other valuable consideration is paid:
(a) For such information; or
(b) For any other service related to the adoption that is performed after sharing information.
(Added to NRS by 1963, 1298; A 1965, 1321; 1973, 1406; 1979, 236; 1989, 531; 1991, 1865; 1993, 71, 2685, 2734; 2001 Special Session, 9)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.250 - License: Application; issuance; renewal.

1. The application for a license to operate a child-placing agency must be in a form prescribed by the Division. The license must state to whom it is issued and the fact that it is effective for 1 year from the date of its issuance.
2. The issuance by the Division of a license to operate a child-placing agency must be based upon reasonable and satisfactory assurance to the Division that the applicant for such license will conform to the standards established and the regulations adopted by the Division as provided in NRS 127.230.
3. When the Division is satisfied that a licensee is conforming to such standards and regulations, it shall renew his or her license, and the license so renewed continues in force for 1 year from the date of renewal.
(Added to NRS by 1963, 1298; A 1973, 1406; 1993, 108, 2686, 2737)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.270 - License: Refusal to issue or renew; notice and hearing; appeals.

1. After notice and hearing, the Division may:
(a) Refuse to issue a license if the Division finds that the applicant does not meet the standards established and the rules prescribed by the Division for child-placing agencies.
(b) Refuse to renew a license or may revoke a license if the Division finds that the child-placing agency has refused or failed to meet any of the established standards or has violated any of the rules prescribed by the Division for child-placing agencies.
2. A notice of the time and place of the hearing must be mailed to the last known address of the applicant or licensee at least 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing.
3. When an order of the Division is appealed to the district court, the trial may be de novo.
(Added to NRS by 1963, 1300; A 1967, 1149; 1973, 1406; 1979, 237; 1993, 2686)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.275 - Fees for services provided by agency which provides child welfare services.

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section:
(a) In a county whose population is less than 100,000, the Division shall, in accordance with NRS 432.014; and
(b) In a county whose population is 100,000 or more, the board of county commissioners of the county shall, by ordinance,
charge reasonable fees for the services provided by an agency which provides child welfare services in placing, arranging the placement of or assisting in placing or arranging the placement of any child for adoption, and for conducting any investigation required by NRS 127.2805.
2. The fees charged for those services must vary based on criteria developed by the Division and board of county commissioners but must not exceed the usual and customary fees that child-placing agencies in the area where the services are provided, or in a similar geographic area, would charge for those services. The Division and board of county commissioners shall not discriminate between adoptions made through an agency and specific adoptions in setting their fees.
3. A fee must not be charged for services related to the adoption of a child with special needs.
4. An agency which provides child welfare services may waive or reduce any fee charged pursuant to this section if the agency which provides child welfare services determines that the adoptive parents are not able to pay the fee or the needs of the child require a waiver or reduction of the fee.
5. Any money collected by an agency which provides child welfare services in a county whose population is less than 100,000 pursuant to this section must be accounted for in the appropriate account of the Division and may be used only to pay for the costs of any adoptive or postadoptive services provided by any agency which provides child welfare services in a county whose population is less than 100,000.
6. Any money collected by an agency which provides child welfare services in a county whose population is 100,000 or more pursuant to this section must be deposited in the county treasury for the credit of the agency which provides child welfare services and may be used only to pay for the costs of any adoption or postadoptive services provided by the agency which provides child welfare services.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 2678; A 1993, 2726; 1999, 149; 2001 Special Session, 9; 2005, 22nd Special Session, 48)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.280 - Requirements for placement of child in home of prospective parents for trial period; verification of intent of natural parents.

1. A child may not be placed in the home of prospective adoptive parents for the 30-day residence in that home which is required before the filing of a petition for adoption, except where a child and one of the prospective adoptive parents are related within the third degree of consanguinity, unless:
(a) The agency which provides child welfare services or a child-placing agency first receives written notice of the proposed placement from:
(1) The prospective adoptive parents of the child;
(2) The person recommending the placement; or
(3) A natural parent;
(b) The investigation required by the provisions of NRS 127.2805 has been completed; and
(c) In the case of a specific adoption, the natural parent placing the child for adoption has had an opportunity to review the report on the investigation of the home, if possible.
2. Upon receipt of written notice from any person other than the natural parent, the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency shall communicate with the natural parent to confirm the natural parent’s intention to place the child for adoption with the prospective adoptive parents identified in the written notice.
(Added to NRS by 1963, 1299; A 1965, 1321; 1967, 1150; 1973, 1406, 1589; 1979, 237; 1981, 719; 1987, 2052; 1989, 531; 1991, 949; 1993, 71, 2686, 2734; 2001 Special Session, 10)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.2805 - Investigation of prospective adoptive parents.

1. The agency which provides child welfare services or a child-placing agency shall, within 60 days after receipt of confirmation of the natural parents’ intent to place the child for adoption and a completed application for adoption from the prospective adoptive parents, complete an investigation of the medical, mental, financial and moral backgrounds of the prospective adoptive parents to determine the suitability of the home for placement of the child for adoption. The investigation must also embrace any other relevant factor relating to the qualifications of the prospective adoptive parents and may be a substitute for the investigation required to be conducted by the agency which provides child welfare services on behalf of the court when a petition for adoption is pending, if the petition for adoption is filed within 6 months after the completion of the investigation required by this subsection. If a child-placing agency undertakes the investigation, it shall provide progress reports to the agency which provides child welfare services in such a format and at such times as the agency which provides child welfare services requires to ensure that the investigation will be completed within the 60-day period. If, at any time, the agency which provides child welfare services determines that it is unlikely that the investigation will be completed in a timely manner, the agency which provides child welfare services shall take over the investigation and complete it within the 60-day period or as soon thereafter as practicable.
2. If the placement is to be made in a home outside of this state, the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency must receive a copy of a report, completed by the appropriate authority, of an investigation of the home and the medical, mental, financial and moral backgrounds of the prospective adoptive parents to determine the suitability of the home for placement of the child for adoption, unless the child and one of the prospective adoptive parents are related within the third degree of consanguinity.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 68; A 1993, 2732; 2001 Special Session, 10)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.281 - Search for criminal record of prospective adoptive parent.

1. A prospective adoptive parent who is subject to an investigation by the agency which provides child welfare services or a child-placing agency must submit as part of the investigation a complete set of his or her fingerprints and written permission authorizing the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency to forward those fingerprints to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of Criminal History for submission to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
2. The agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency may exchange with the Central Repository or the Federal Bureau of Investigation any information respecting the fingerprints submitted.
3. When a report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation is received by the Central Repository, it shall immediately forward a copy of the report to the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency that submitted the fingerprints.
4. Any fees for fingerprinting and submission to the Central Repository and the Federal Bureau of Investigation must be paid by the prospective adoptive parent, except that:
(a) In a county whose population is less than 100,000, the Division may adopt regulations providing for the payment of those fees by the Division; or
(b) In a county whose population is 100,000 or more, the board of county commissioners may provide by ordinance for the payment of those fees by the agency which provides child welfare services.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 530; A 1991, 951; 1993, 2688; 2001 Special Session, 11)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.2815 - Placement of child during investigation; notice and placement of child upon completion of investigation.

1. Pending completion of the required investigation, the child must be:
(a) Retained by the natural parent; or
(b) Placed by the natural parent with the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency and placed by the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency in a foster home licensed pursuant to NRS 424.030,
until a determination is made concerning the suitability of the prospective adoptive parents.
2. Upon completion of the investigation, the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency shall forthwith inform the natural parent, the person recommending the placement and the prospective adoptive parents of the decision to approve or deny the placement. If the prospective adoptive home is found:
(a) Suitable, the natural parent may execute a consent to a specific adoption pursuant to NRS 127.053, if not previously executed, and then the child may be placed in the home of the prospective adoptive parents for the purposes of adoption.
(b) Unsuitable or detrimental to the interest of the child, the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency shall file an application in the district court for an order prohibiting the placement. If the court determines that the placement should be prohibited, the court may nullify the written consent to the specific adoption and order the return of the child to the care and control of the parent who executed the consent, but if the parental rights of the parent have been terminated by a relinquishment or a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction or if the parent does not wish to accept the child, then the court may order the placement of the child with the agency which provides child welfare services or a child-placing agency for adoption.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 69; A 1993, 2732; 2001 Special Session, 11; 2003, 236)
2023 Nevada Revised Statutes › Chapter 127 - Adoption of Children and Adults › NRS 127.2817 - Criteria for determination of suitability of prospective adoptive home; opportunity for prospective adoptive parents to review and respond to unfavorable investigation.

1. The Division, in consultation with each agency which provides child welfare services, shall adopt regulations setting forth the criteria to be used by an agency which provides child welfare services or a child-placing agency for determining whether a prospective adoptive home is suitable or unsuitable for the placement of a child for adoption.
2. Upon the completion of an investigation conducted by an agency which provides child welfare services or a child-placing agency pursuant to NRS 127.120 or 127.2805, the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency shall inform the prospective adoptive parent or parents of the results of the investigation. If, pursuant to the investigation, a determination is made that a prospective adoptive home is unsuitable for placement or detrimental to the interest of the child, the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency shall provide the prospective adoptive parent or parents with an opportunity to review and respond to the investigation with the agency which provides child welfare services or child-placing agency before the issuance of the results of the investigation. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 239.0115, the identity of those persons who are interviewed or submit information concerning the investigation must remain confidential.
3. An agency which provides child welfare services or a child placing agency shall not determine that a prospective adoptive home is unsuitable for placement or detrimental to the interest of the child solely because the prospective adoptive parent or parents:
(a) Are deaf, are blind or have another physical disability; or
(b) Are the holders of a valid registry identification card.
4. As used in this section:
(a) "Blind" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 426.082.
(b) "Holder of a valid registry identification card" means a person who holds a valid registry identification card as defined in NRS 678C.080 that identifies the person as:
(1) Exempt from state prosecution for engaging in the medical use of cannabis; or
(2) A designated primary caregiver as defined in NRS 678C.040.
(Added to NRS by 1993, 238; A 1993, 2731; 2001, 1112; 2001 Special Session, 12; 2007, 2075; 2019, 2757)