A. If, after the hearing and consideration of all the evidence, the court is satisfied that the requirements of this article have been met and that the adoption is in the best interests of the child, the court shall order the adoption. The order may change the name of the child to the name requested by the adoptive parent or parents in the petition to adopt. If the child being adopted is twelve years of age or older, the court shall consider the wishes of the child with respect to the name change. The written order of the court shall include the findings of fact on which it based its order, including the court’s jurisdiction and the date and place of birth of the child being adopted based on the best available evidence.

Terms Used In Arizona Laws 8-116

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Child: means any person under eighteen years of age. See Arizona Laws 8-101
  • court: means the juvenile division of the superior court. See Arizona Laws 8-101
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • including: means not limited to and is not a term of exclusion. See Arizona Laws 1-215
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Petition: means a written statement of the essential facts that allege delinquency, incorrigibility or dependency. See Arizona Laws 8-201

B. If the exact place of birth is unknown, the order shall include the information that is known and designate a place of birth according to the best information known as to the country of origin.

C. If the exact date of birth is unknown, the order shall establish a date of birth based on the medical evidence as to the probable age of the child and other evidence the court considers appropriate.

D. The order is conclusive and binding on all persons from the date of its entry subject to appeal as provided in section 8-235.

E. The court shall provide the adoptive parent or parents with written notice of the sibling information exchange program established pursuant to section 8-543.