Purpose, Scope And Format Of Rules

(1) These rules establish the mandatory forms promulgated by the Department of Children’s Services pursuant to Executive Order #6, January 12, 1996 and Public Chapter 532 (1995), required: for use in obtaining medical social/histories of children being surrendered; for surrenders of children for adoption in Tennessee Courts or in another State or Territory or a foreign country or by an inmate of State or Federal correctional facility; for the use of parental consents to the adoption of children utilized in adoption petitions in Tennessee; for revocation of surrenders and parental consents; for vetoes of contact in the future by the adopted person with the surrendering person or others; for payment and fee disclosure requirements; for certification of social and legal counseling which may be requested by the surrendering or consenting parent or legal guardian; for consents for adoption by minors fourteen (14) years of age and by guardians ad litem of such minors and disabled adults; and for releases of information for updated medical information. These forms may be modified by the Department of Children’s Services in these matters, pursuant to further Executive Orders or legislation. (2) The forms established by these rules are mandatory for use by the courts, the clerks, attorneys, prospective adoptive parents, state and private agencies and other persons or entities who may be involved in the adoption process; provided, however, that surrenders by a person residing in another state or territory of the United States and in conformity with the laws of another state or territory shall be accepted in Tennessee. (3) These forms may be reproduced in any page length or type size or style for use by any persons or entities who may need to use them, but must contain, without alteration, the language which is contained in the forms, except where otherwise noted in these rules or on the form itself. (4) (a) Copies of the forms necessary for use in the adoption process may be obtained from the Clerks of Courts in Tennessee which have authority pursuant to T.C.A. § 36-1-111 to accept surrenders, from the local county office of the Department of Children’s Services in these matters, the Regional Offices of the Department’s Legal Staff, or the Central Office Adoption Services office in the Cordell Hull Building, 8th Floor, 436 6th ADOPTION PROCESS FORMS CHAPTER 0250-07-13 Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243-1290, (615) 532-5637. Copies will also be supplied to licensed child-placing agencies in Tennessee. (b) Copies of the entire set of forms may be obtained on diskette in Microsoft Word from the Central Office by submitting two (2) formatted disks to this address with a self- addressed, postage-paid return envelope suitable for mailing diskettes, or by requesting full copies from the above address. A charge will be made for providing a full set of hard copies from the Central Office.