This online engagement was hosted on engageNL from December 19, 2019 to March 6, 2020. Below is a record of this engagement.
Overview
The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development (CSSD) is completing a comprehensive review of the Adoption Act, 2013 and is seeking input from the general public and key stakeholders.
Adoption is the social and legal process by which a person is no longer the child of the birth parents and legally becomes the child of the adoptive parents.
Through an adoption process:
a birth parent ceases to have parental rights and obligations with respect of the child, including rights to access and custody, and no longer has any legal or financial responsibilities for the child;
adoptive parents assume all rights and responsibilities for the child through an adoption order issued by the court;
a new birth certificate naming the adoptive parents as parents is issued in the child’s new adoptive name; and,
other documents relating to the child are issued to reflect the adoptive parents as parents of the child.
Types of Adoption
Domestic Adoption:
Children become available for domestic adoption in two ways:
a child is removed by a court order from their birth parent(s) or guardian(s) care and the court has ordered continuous custody of the child to a manager of the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, which means the child will not return to their birth parent(s) or guardian(s).
a birth parent(s) voluntarily places a child in the custody of a manager of the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development for the purpose of adoption.
Direct Placement:
A birth parent identifies a person(s) known to them to adopt their child. The prospective adoptive parent must meet the same requirements as an applicant applying for a domestic adoption in order to be approved.
Interprovincial Adoption:
Children may be in the care of another province/territory; or a birth parent in another province/territory may have identified a family in Newfoundland and Labrador to adopt their child. The prospective adoptive parent(s) must meet the same requirements as an applicant applying for a domestic adoption.
There are also situations where a child in the custody of a manager of the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development may be placed for adoption in another province/territory. In these situations, the child is usually related to, or has a significant relationship with, a prospective adoptive parent in another province/territory.
Intercountry Adoption:
Adoptions of children from other countries by an approved adoptive applicant in this province are governed by both the Adoption Act, 2013 and the requirements of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention).
Relative/Step-Parent/Persons with Custody Adoption:
Adoption of a child by a relative or step-parent or person with custody is completed using a Self-Help Kit, available from the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development. In these situations, the relative/step-parent/person with custody applies directly to the court for the adoption of the child.
In considering the application of a relative or step-parent or person with custody to adopt a child, the court may request the involvement of the Department; however, the Department has less involvement in this type of adoption.
The Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development (CSSD) is seeking feedback from the general public and stakeholders on the review of the Adoption Act, 2013.
Thank you in advance for your participation.
Online Questionnaire:
This questionnaire will be available until March 6, 2020. If you have any questions related to this questionnaire or require an alternate format, please contact Lynanne Furlong at (709) 729-5134.
If you prefer to participate with a written submission, you can download or view the questionnaire by clicking above and either fill out a copy of the questionnaire or prepare a letter/submission responding to the questions.
The deadline for written submissions is March 6, 2020.
Written submissions can be sent by:
Mail:
Adoption Act, 2013 Legislative Review
c/o In Care and Adoptions Division
Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development
The information we receive will be reviewed by the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development and will be considered in the review of the Adoption Act, 2013.
Privacy Statement
Please do not include your name or any information that could identify you. The collection of information is done under the authority of section 61(c) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015, for the purpose of collecting public feedback on the Adoption Act, 2013.
If you have any questions about how this information will be collected, used and disclosed, please contact Andrea Lawlor, ATIPP Coordinator at (709) 729-6370 or by email at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or additional comments regarding the questionnaire or the review of the Adoption Act, 2013, please contact Lynanne Furlong at (709) 729-5134.
