Section 25.23.030. Venue.

   (a) Proceedings for adoption shall be brought in the superior court for the district in which, at the time of filing or granting the petition, the petitioner or the person to be adopted resides or is in military service, or in which the agency having the care, custody, or control of the minor is located.
   (b) If the court finds in the interest of substantial justice, under AS 22.10.040, that the adoption proceeding should be heard in another judicial district, the court may transfer, stay, or dismiss the proceeding in whole or in part on conditions that are just.
   (c) Proceedings for the termination of parental rights on the grounds set out in AS 25.23.180(c)(3) shall be brought in the superior court for the district in which the child that is the subject of the action resides.
   (d) [Effective January 1, 2017]. =ro The venue for an adoption proceeding for a child in state custody under AS 47.10 is the
        (1) superior court where the child-in-need-of-aid proceeding is pending as provided under AS 47.10.111; or
        (2) judicial district in which the petitioner resides if the petitioner provides notice to all of the parties to the child-in-need-of-aid proceeding and no party objects.

Authorities

25.23.080;47.10.111

Notes

Recent Bills that will modify this

HB 200 ADOPTION OF CHILD IN STATE CUSTODY
SB 112 ADOPTION OF CHILD IN STATE CUSTODY
SB 162 TERM. OF PARENTAL RIGHTS FOR SEX ASSAULTS

References

AS 25.23.080 Petition for adoption.
AS 47.10.111 Petition for adoption or guardianship of a child in state custody. [Effective January 1, 2017]..

History

(Sec. 1 ch 84 SLA 1974; am Sec. 1, 2 ch 50 SLA 1987; am Sec. 4 ch 6 4SSLA 2016)