Adoptions

HONORABLE SHARON MARCHMAN – DIVISION B

The Fourth Judicial District Court adopted the following addition to Title V Juvenile, Chap. 46 Adoption Proceedings, Rule 46.0 Filing of Pleadings; Required Exhibits, effective March 1, 2020:
(b) Filing of Pleadings. Petitioners or their attorneys shall file the required Appendix 46.0(b) Checklist Form contemporaneously with the Petition. The filing of said Checklist has the effect of a pleading and must be executed in good faith.

REQUIRED APPENDIX 46.0 CHECKLIST FORMS

Agency Adoption Checklist (Rev. 8/22)
Intrafamily Adoption Checklist (Rev. 12/22)
Private Adoption Checklist (Rev. 12/22)
Foreign Adoption (Hague Convention Country) Checklist (Rev. 8/21)
Foreign Adoption (Non-Hague Convention Country) Checklist (Rev. 8/21)

ADDITIONAL FORMS REQUIRED

Intrafamily & Private Adoptions Only:
Non-Support Inquiry (Rev. 8/21)
Return Date / Hearing Cover Sheet (PINK SLIP)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS EFFECTIVE 07/12/2024

Follow these steps to request a criminal background check:
1) Submit directly to the court in chambers fully completed forms as follows:
a) LSP Authorization Form
b) Rapsheet Disclosure
c) Informational Attachment
d) Attach copy of driver’s license

2) After Judge signs the form, they will be returned by U.S. Mail to attorney or self represented petitioner unless prior arrangements are made.

3) Petitioner takes authorization form to Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and is
fingerprinted.  Petitioner returns 2 Fingerprint cards to attorney.

4) Attorney or self represented petitioner will then forward to Louisiana State Police the following documents:
a) 2 sets of fingerprint cards
b) Authorization Form
c) Rapsheet Disclosure
d) Docket number of the court proceeding
e) Business check, money order, or cashier’s check in the amount of $39.25
f) Mail to the following address:
Louisiana State Police
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information
Attn.: Sonja
P. O. Box 66614, #A-6
Baton Rouge, LA 70896-6614

5) LSP will provide the court with the results of the background check.

Please Note that Failure to timely submit the
criminal background check packet to LSP for processing
may necessitate resetting of the final hearing.

  Attorneys - Provide this Information to Your Clients
Requirements for Adoption Hearings (Rev. 8/22)
Dress & Conduct Rules
LSA-RS §14:46.4 Re-Homing Of A Child

Requests for Pre-Adoption Birth Certificates
If you are requesting your pre-adoption birth certificate pursuant to Act 470 of 2022, please make your request to Louisiana Vital Records. https://www.ldh.la.gov/page/quick-links

Adoption Record Request
If you are requesting information from an existing adoption record, please refer to Children’s Code articles 1184-1192, as most information in an adoption record is confidential and cannot be released.  If you are an adoptive parent, limited information may be released to you upon approval by the judge.  Please complete an Adoption Record Request form and take it to the Clerk of Court.
Adoption Record Request (Rev. 8/22)