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Massachusetts Adoption Laws
More Information on Adoption Laws
| Code Section | Ch. 210; No |
| Who May Be Adopted | Any person younger than adopter; special requirements are needed for child under age 14. |
| Age that Child's Consent Needed | 12 years and older |
| Who May Adopt | Any person of full age, his spouse joining, may, subject to certain exceptions, petition to adopt any person younger than himself (other than petitioner's spouse, brother, sister, aunt, or uncle of whole or half blood). |
| Home Residency Required Prior to Finalization of Adoption? | 6 months if adoptee is under 14 unless requirement waived |
| State Agency/Court | Social Services/Probate |
| Statute of Limitations to Challenge | 120 days for appeal; may only be made by a parent |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
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