Update to adult adoptions in Victoria
By Christopher Ragozzino, Senior Associate
The County Court of Victoria (“Court”) has updated the way the Court handles adoptions, parentage orders and applications concerning the change of a child’s name or sex descriptor.
With the Court determining approximately 80 adoptions each year, the 2023 practice note provides practitioners and parties with helpful information about applications under the Adoption Act 1984. Amongst clarifying the process for making an application (by filing a summons and supporting documents to the Adoption Registrar via email) the practice note makes a raft of changes to consolidate and simplify the adult adoption process.
Key changes include:
- A certified copy of proof of ID is now required to be filed by the applicant and the adult child;
- The affidavit of the applicant(s) must show that they have brought up, maintained and educated the adult child as if they were a parent of the child; and
- The affidavit of the adult child must provide information about their relationship with the applicant(s) as well as their relationship with the natural parents.
More information on the adult adoption process in Victoria can be accessed using this link
Feel free to contact us on 9618 7300 to discuss the adult adoption process in more detail.