Delaware § 915 Decree of adoption

Delaware Statutes

§ 915 — Decree of adoption

Delaware § 915

Title13

Ch. 9ADOPTION

Subch.Minors

This text of Delaware § 915 (Decree of adoption) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Delaware primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Del. Code tit. 13, § 915 (2026).

Text

(a)Within 60 days from the date of the receipt by the Court of the report, the Court shall render a decision upon the petition. If the Court is of the opinion that the petitioner or petitioners are qualified properly to maintain, care for and educate the child, that the child is suitable for adoption and that the best interest of the child will be promoted by the adoption, a decree of adoption shall be entered. If the Court is of the opinion that such a decree should not be entered, it shall notify the petitioner or petitioners and, if requested by any petitioner, it shall order a hearing to which all interested parties shall be duly summoned, and, based upon the report and evidence adduced at the hearing, the Court shall issue its decree granting or refusing the prayer of the petitioner.

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(a) Within 60 days from the date of the receipt by the Court of the report, the Court shall render a decision upon the petition. If the Court is of the opinion that the petitioner or petitioners are qualified properly to maintain, care for and educate the child, that the child is suitable for adoption and that the best interest of the child will be promoted by the adoption, a decree of adoption shall be entered. If the Court is of the opinion that such a decree should not be entered, it shall notify the petitioner or petitioners and, if requested by any petitioner, it shall order a hearing to which all interested parties shall be duly summoned, and, based upon the report and evidence adduced at the hearing, the Court shall issue its decree granting or refusing the prayer of the petitioner.

(b) At any time after the report has been filed but prior to the Court’s rendering a decision, the Court may order the removal of the child from the proposed adoptive home if, in the opinion of the Court, such removal is in the best interest of the child. If such a removal is ordered, the Court shall include in the order a grant of authority to the Department or to a licensed agency, to make the removal and to provide for the future disposition of the child.

(c) The decree of adoption shall state:

(1) The name by which the child is henceforth to be known;

(2) The sex and age of the child;

(3) The name of the child at the time the petition was filed.

(d) Upon the entry of a decree of adoption the Clerk of Court shall issue to the adopting parent or parents a certificate of adoption stating the date of the decree, the age and sex of the child, the name by which the child is henceforth to be known, and the names of the adopting parent or parents. Neither the original name of the child nor the names of the birth parents shall be included in the certificate of adoption.

Legislative History

Code 1935, § 3551H; 48 Del. Laws, c. 134, § 3 ; 13 Del. C. 1953, § 915; 55 Del. Laws, c. 248, §§ 3, 4 ; 57 Del. Laws, c. 402, § 2 ; 60 Del. Laws, c. 241, § 7 ; 62 Del. Laws, c. 402, § 2 ; 64 Del. Laws, c. 108, § 6 ; 68 Del. Laws, c. 259, § 1