Sec. 1. (a) Subject to section 1.1 of this chapter, an individual who is at least eighteen (18) years of age may be adopted by a resident of Indiana:

(1) upon proper petition to the court having jurisdiction in probate matters in any county in Indiana; and

Terms Used In Indiana Code 31-19-2-1

  • 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.
  • Probate: Proving a will
(2) with the consent of the individual acknowledged in open court.

     (b) If the court in which a petition for adoption is filed under this section considers it necessary, the court may order:

(1) the type of investigation that is conducted in an adoption of a child who is less than eighteen (18) years of age; or

(2) any other inquiry that the court considers advisable;

before granting the petition for adoption.

[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-3-1-11 part.]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.244-2019, SEC.9; P.L.203-2021, SEC.2.