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Adoption Form 27A

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PETITION FOR ACCESS TO SEALED ADOPTION RECORDS

D.R.L. §114

Adoption Form 27-A

(Adoption--Petition for Access to

Sealed Adoption Records)

(9/2006)

FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF

In the Matter of the Adoption of

A Child Whose First Name is

(Docket)(File) No.

TO THE FAMILY COURT OF THE COUNTY OF :

The Petitioner respectfully alleges to this Court that:

1. [Check applicable box]:

I am the child who was adopted in the above-entitled proceeding.

My relationship to the above-named child is as follows

2. a. I reside at and telephone number

b. My mailing address, if different from the above, is

3. Upon information and belief, [check applicable box]:

[Applicable where Petitioner is the adoptee]: I was born in on or about

A certified copy of my birth certificate is attached.

[Applicable where Petitioner is not the adoptee]: was born in on or about

A certified copy of the birth certificate is attached.

4. Upon information and belief, [check applicable box]:

[Applicable where Petitioner is the adoptee]: I was adopted pursuant to court order in the

[Applicable where Petitioner is not the adoptee]: was adopted pursuant to court order in the

5. A request for information has has not been made of the Adoption Information Registry.

[Direct inquiries to: NYS Department of Health, Adoption Information Registry, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, New York 12220-2602, (518)474-9600]

6. The names, dates of death, permanent addresses of the adoptive parents, if living, and the adoptee's birth name, if known, are as follows

7. [Check applicable box(es)]:

I am requesting access to sealed adoption records on medical grounds for the following reasons

[NOTE: If your request is based on medical grounds, you must attach a medical certification from a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of New York addressing a serious physical or mental illness. Such certification shall identify the information required to address the illness.]

I am requesting access to sealed adoption records for good cause, other than medical, for the following reasons

[Applicable to Native-American individuals 18 years of age and older]: I am requesting access to sealed adoption records, including information about my birth parents' tribal affiliation(s), if any, and other information necessary to protect any rights flowing from such tribal affiliations.

8. No previous application has been made for the relief requested herein except as follows:

I understand that the Court may appoint a law guardian for the purpose of reviewing the file and determining whether the information being sought is in the file and to undertake such other and further instructions that the Court may require.

WHEREFORE, for the reasons stated above, I respectfully request access to the sealed adoption records and information sought above and for such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.

Dated:

,

Petitioner's signature

Petitioner: Print or type name

Attorney' signature, if any

Attorney's Address and Telephone number

VERIFICATION

STATE OF NEW YORK )

:ss.:

COUNTY OF )

being duly sworn, says that (he)(she) is the Petitioner(s) in the above-named proceeding and that the foregoing petition is true to (his)(her) own knowledge, except as to matters stated to be alleged on information and belief and as to those matters (he)(she) believe(s) them to be true.

Petitioner: typed or printed name/

Signature

Sworn to before me this

day of

,

(Deputy)Clerk of the Court

Notary Public

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What Adoption Form 27A Is and when it’s used

Adoption Form 27A is a standardized court filing used in many U.S. jurisdictions to document the parties, legal basis, and procedural steps for a domestic adoption proceeding. The form typically captures identifying information for the child, birth parents, and prospective adoptive parents, plus consent statements, placement history, and case numbers needed by the family or juvenile court. Courts use the completed Form 27A to verify jurisdiction, confirm required consents, and create the official record that supports the final decree of adoption and subsequent updates to vital records and custody files.

Why accurate completion of Form 27A matters

Correctly completed Adoption Form 27A speeds court review, prevents delays in finalization and vital-record updates, and reduces the risk of post-decree challenges. Accurate entries ensure the court has all necessary legal statements and attachments to issue a clean adoption decree.

Why accurate completion of Form 27A matters

Who typically completes and handles this form

Several parties participate in preparing and filing Form 27A depending on the case: the adoptive parents, placement agency, and attorneys all play primary roles.

  • Adoptive parents or guardians prepare personal and family details, attestations, and signatures for the form.
  • Placement agencies or social workers attach home study reports, medical history, and consent documents alongside the form.
  • Family law attorneys or court-appointed counsel review the form, confirm legal sufficiency, and submit the package to the clerk.

The court clerk and judge complete the official processing steps after submission, including docketing, hearing scheduling, and journalizing the decree.

Key signers and document handlers

Adoptive Parent

An adoptive parent completes identifying sections, signs consent and verification statements, and provides supporting ID. Accurate legal names, dates, and contact details are required because mismatches can delay court acceptance and downstream record changes.

Agency / Attorney

An attorney or licensed agency completes legal captions, attaches mandatory exhibits (home study, consents), and files the form with the court. Their review confirms procedural compliance and helps avoid rejections or return-for-correction notices.

Step-by-step: completing and filing Form 27A

Follow a clear sequence to gather documents, complete the form, obtain required consents, and submit the package to the appropriate court or agency.

  • 01
    Gather documents: Collect birth certificate, IDs, home study, and consent forms.
  • 02
    Complete form: Fill every required field using full legal names and MM/DD/YYYY dates.
  • 03
    Obtain signatures: Secure notarization or witnessed signatures as required by the court.
  • 04
    File with court: Submit to the clerk along with exhibits and required fees.

Practical tips for accurate and timely completion

Small details make the difference. The following practices help reduce return-for-correction cycles and speed court finalization.

Use consistent legal names
Verify names against government-issued IDs and the child's birth record. Consistency prevents delays with vital records and avoids additional affidavits to reconcile identity discrepancies.
Attach required exhibits in order
Follow the court's exhibit checklist and label items clearly. Ordered, labeled attachments shorten clerk review time and reduce the chance the court will request missing materials.
Confirm notarization and witness rules
Check local court rules for wet-signature, notarization, or witness requirements before obtaining signatures. Incorrect authentication is a common cause of rejected filings.
Keep certified copies
Request certified copies of the final decree and updated birth certificate promptly. Certified copies are often required for passport, social security, and school enrollment.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving fields blank or entering partial names leads to clerk returns and processing delays that can extend finalization by weeks.
  • Mismatched dates between the form and supporting exhibits trigger verification requests and may require sworn affidavits to reconcile.
  • Failing to include a required notarization or incorrect witness counts causes immediate rejection and need for re-execution.
  • Submitting unsigned attachments or missing consent documents forces additional hearings or delays in issuing the final decree.

Risks and consequences of incorrect filings

Delayed final decree: Processing postponed until defects are corrected.
Record mismatches: Vital records may require separate corrections.
Case reopening: Errors can trigger motions to amend or reopen.
Loss of documents: Incomplete packages risk misfiling or administrative loss.
Legal challenge: Incorrect consents may lead to contested proceedings.
Extra costs: Additional attorney or court fees may be required.

Digital signing and submission considerations

Courts and agencies vary on accepting electronic copies, e-signatures, and remote notarization; confirm local rules before proceeding.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX, and compatible court e-filing formats.
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced signer verification.
  • Integrations: Works with common systems like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.

Where to file Adoption Form 27A

Filing destinations depend on your jurisdiction; common recipients include the family or juvenile court, the local registrar for the birth certificate, and the agency that managed placement.

  • Family Court: Primary court for docketing and decree issuance.
  • County Clerk: Official filing and stamping of court documents.
  • Vital Records: Submit decree to update birth certificate.
  • Placement Agency: Provide copies for agency file and licensing compliance.

Comparing eSignature vendors for adoption documents

When choosing an eSignature provider for forms like Adoption Form 27A, prioritize legal compliance, audit trails, and notarization options. Below is a concise pricing and capability comparison.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Security and compliance checklist for electronic adoption records

Encryption in transit: TLS 1.2/1.3
Encryption at rest: AES-256
HIPAA compliance: BAA required
ESIGN / UETA: Legally recognized
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II
Audit trail: Detailed signer actions

Frequently asked questions about Adoption Form 27A

Answers address common questions about electronic signatures, notarization, filing steps, corrections, and storage for Adoption Form 27A.


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