Rule 15.2.1 - Voluntary Relinquishment To Agency(a)Petition.A Petition under 2501 of the Adoption Act to relinquish parental rights and duties with respect to a child who has been in the care of an Agency shall be in a form approved by the court, and shall include the following allegations:
(1) The name, address, age, racial background and religious affiliation of each petitioner.(2) The information required in subparagraph (1) as to any parent who is not a petitioner, or the reason why such information is unavailable.(3) The marital status of the mother as of the time of the birth of the child and during one year prior thereto, and, if the mother was married, the name of her husband or husbands, and her maiden name.(4) The name, age, date of birth, racial background, sex and religious affiliation of the child.(5) The name and address of the Agency having care of the child.(6) The date when the child was placed with the Agency and the circumstances surrounding the placement.(7) When the child's parents are not married to each other, whether they intend to marry each other.(8) The reason for seeking relinquishment.(9) That each petitioner understands the petition, has considered the alternatives, and has executed the petition voluntarily to promote what the petitioner believes to be in the petitioner's and the child's best interests.(10) Whether either natural parent of the child is entitled to the benefits of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as amended ( 50 U.S.C.A. § 501, et. seq.).(b)Exhibits.The petition shall have attached to it the following exhibits, in addition to those specified in 15.1.2:
(1) The joinder of a parent who is not a petitioner, if obtainable.(2) If the other parent is deceased, a certified copy of the death certificate.(3) The joinder of the Agency having care of the child and its consent to accept custody of the child until such time as the child is adopted. The joinder of the Agency shall be executed and acknowledged by an official authorized to do so, and proof of such authority shall be kept on file with the court (see 15.8.1, infra.).(4) A proposed decree in a form approved by the court.(c)Disposition of Petition.(1) The petition shall be filed with the Clerk, who shall place the matter on the next available hearing list, unless otherwise directed by the court.(2) Absent exceptional circumstances, or unless the other parent is deceased, the court will not entertain a petition by one parent where the rights of the other parent have not been previously terminated or cannot be terminated at the hearing.(3) Information concerning any proposed adoption of the child who is the subject of the petition shall be made available to the court at the hearing.(d)Notice and Hearing.(1) If a parent has not relinquished his or her rights and duties in and to the child, or joined in the other parent's petition hereunder, then notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the petition, shall be served upon the non-petitioning/non-joining parent.(2) Unless excused by the court, at or prior to the hearing, each petitioner and each person whose consent or joinder is attached to the petition shall be examined under oath at the hearing.