Petition

A petition for adoption of a child under eighteen (18) years of age shall be signed by the petitioner and shall contain the following: (1) The name, age, citizenship, race, marital status, and residence of the petitioner and relationship, if any, to the child; (2) If the petitioner is married and the petitioner's spouse is not also a petitioner, the name, age, and citizenship of the spouse and the spouse's relationship, if any, to the child; (3) The name, date of birth, sex, and residence of the child; (4) The date on which the child began residing with the petitioner; (5) The name, date of birth, and residence of each parent and guardian. If unknown to the petitioner, the petition shall contain a statement setting forth the extent of the petitioner's inquiry and knowledge concerning those facts and the circumstances under which the petitioner received the child. If the child was received from a licensed adoption agency or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families such statement may be omitted; (6) The name by which the child shall be known; (7) A statement that establishes the grounds for adoption to include that the petitioner desires to establish a parental relationship with the child and is able to support the child and that the child's adoption by the petitioner is in the best interests of the child; (8) The name of any person or authorized agent whose consent to the adoption is required and that person's notarized signature consenting to the adoption; and (9) The name of any person whose consent to the adoption is required but who has not consented and a statement of the circumstances which excuse the lack of consent, including all court orders and findings.