13Approval of persons to adopt children

13 Approval of persons to adopt children (1) Persons capable of making an application under section 10A(a) for an adoption order under section 11 may apply to the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency for approval as fit and proper persons to adopt a child. (2) An application is to be made in accordance with the regulations. (3) The Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency may approve applicants under subsection (1) as fit and proper persons to adopt a child if the applicants satisfy the prescribed requirements relating to approval of applicants. (4) Subject to subsection (5), the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency may revoke an approval given by the Secretary or principal officer (as the case requires) under subsection (3). (5) The Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency must not refuse, or defer the making of a decision on, an application for approval or revoke an approval, unless the Secretary or principal officer has— (a) notified the applicant or approved person (as the case requires) in writing of the reasons for the refusal, deferment or revocation; and (b) given the applicant or approved person a reasonable opportunity to make a written or oral submission to the Secretary or principal officer. S. 13A inserted by No. 32/2000 s. 11.