(a) Upon the filing of a petition for a declaratory judgment or for involuntary sterilization under this chapter, service of the petition shall be made and notice shall be given as hereinafter provided.

(b) Service of the petition shall be made upon the person for whom sterilization is sought at least 10 days before the hearing date. Where the affidavits required by § 5706(b) of this title or § 5707(b) and (c) of this title recite that it would be meaningless or detrimental to the health of the respondent to serve the respondent personally, the required service shall be made upon the person in charge of the institution or home where the respondent resides. If the petitioner has the custody of the respondent and the affidavits required by § 5706(b) of this title or § 5707(b) and (c) of this title recite that service would be meaningless or detrimental, the required service shall be made on the spouse, parent or guardian, if any, or the next-of-kin of the respondent who are 18 years of age or older and who reside in the State. As to persons so served, the notice by mail provided in subsection (c) of this section is not required.

(c) Notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, of the time, place and purpose of the hearing shall be given by or on behalf of the petitioner, to the spouse, parent or guardian, if any, and to the next-of-kin of the respondent who are 18 years of age or older. Notice need not be given to any person if the person shall consent in writing to the granting of the prayer of the petition or shall waive such notice.

(d) Proof of service and of notice shall be filed with the Register in Chancery prior to the hearing or shall be presented at the hearing.

65 Del. Laws, c. 148, § ?1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § ?1;