Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025 (Victoria)

Version No. 001

Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025

S.R. No. 84/2025

Version as at
9 September 2025

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

Rule Page

Order 1—Preliminary 1

1 Title and object 1

2 Authorising provisions 1

3 Commencement and revocation 1

Order 2—Adoption 2

4 Application of Rules 2

5 Definitions 2

6 Application to be by originating summons—Form 1 2

7 Summons and notice of identification to be filed—Form 2 3

8 Service 3

9 Affidavit in support of application—Form 3 4

10 Affidavit in support under section 69A of the Act 7

11 Affidavit in support under section 69B of the Act 8

12 By whom affidavits sworn or affirmed 10

13 Documents to be served on guardian 10

14 Filing of affidavits 11

15 Summons to dispense with consent—Forms 4 and 5 11

16 Non-disclosure of applicant's name 12

17 Appointment of day for hearing 13

18 Service of summons and appointment of hearing 13

19 Affidavit of service 13

20 Production of child on application 14

21 Application for order changing guardianship—Forms 6 and 7 14

22 Service of copy of Rules as to duty of guardian 14

23 Investigations and reports 14

24 Information to be confidential 20

25 Presence of parties 20

26 As to previous unsuccessful applications 21

27 Where Secretary or principal officer is guardian 21

28 Notice of adjournment 21

29 Interim order—Form 8 21

30 Adoption order and certificate of adoption—Forms 9 and 10 21

31 Application to discharge adoption order—Form 11 22

32 Application to vary condition on adoption of child—Forms 12 and 13 22

33 Application for guardianship of non-citizen child—Forms 14 and 15 23

34 Application to restrict access of natural parent—Form 16 23

35 Application for declaration as to foreign adoption—Forms 17 and 18 24

36 Application under section 69H—Form 19 24

37 Application under section 69I—Forms 20 and 21 24

38 Application under section 69W—Forms 22 and 23 25

39 Application for information—Form 24 25

40 Application for a copy of birth certificate 25

41 Application for authority to publish identity of parties—Form 25 25

42 Transfer of application from County Court to Supreme Court 26

43 Documents to be confidential 26

44 Form of documents 27

45 Enlargement or abridgment of time 27

46 Court may grant access to information 27

Form 1—Summons for Adoption Order 28

Form 2—Notice of identification 29

Form 3—Affidavit of applicants in support of application 30

Form 4—Summons to dispense with consent required under section 33 of the Adoption Act 1984 33

Form 5—Order dispensing with consent 34

Form 6—Summons to change guardianship of child 35

Form 7—Order changing guardianship of child 36

Form 8—Interim Order 37

Form 9—Adoption Order 39

Form 10—Certificate of adoption 40

Form 11—Application to discharge Adoption Order under section 19(1) of the Adoption Act 1984 41

Form 12—Summons to vary Adoption Order to make Order subject to condition 42

Form 13—Summons to vary or revoke condition attached to Adoption Order under section 59 of the Adoption Act 1984 43

Form 14—Summons to appoint guardian of non‑citizen child 44

Form 15—Order for guardianship of non‑citizen child 45

Form 16—Summons to restrict access of a parent to a child 46

Form 17—Summons for declaration of recognition of foreign adoption 47

Form 18—Declaration of recognition of foreign adoption 48

Form 19—Summons for terminating legal relationship 49

Form 20—Summons for declaration under section 69I of the Adoption Act 1984 50

Form 21—Declaration under section 69I of the Adoption Act 1984 51

Form 22—Summons for declaration under section 69W of the Adoption Act 1984 52

Form 23—Declaration under section 69W of the Adoption Act 1984 53

Form 24—Application for information 54

Form 25—Application for authority to publish matter relating to identity of parties 55

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Endnotes 57

1 General information 57

2 Table of Amendments 59

3 Explanatory details 60

Version No. 001

Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025

S.R. No. 84/2025

Version as at
9 September 2025

Order 1—Preliminary

1 Title and object

(1) These Rules constitute Chapter IV of the Rules of the Supreme Court and are entitled the Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025.

(2) The object of these Rules is to re-make the Rules that constitute Chapter IV of the Rules of the Supreme Court regulating procedures in the Court in relation to adoption.

2 Authorising provisions

These Rules are made under section 25 of the Supreme Court Act 1986, section 6(2) of the Adoption Act 1984 and all other enabling powers.

3 Commencement and revocation

(1) These Rules come into operation on 9 September 2025.

(2) The Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2015[1] are revoked.

(3) The Supreme Court (Chapter IV Adoption Amendment) Rules 2022[2] are revoked.

Order 2—Adoption

4 Application of Rules

Subject to this Order and so far as in each case they are applicable—

(a) Chapter I of the Rules of the Supreme Court for the time being in force and the general practice of the Supreme Court apply to any proceeding in the Supreme Court under the Act; and

(b) the County Court Rules for the time being in force and the general practice of the County Court apply to any proceeding in the County Court under the Act.

5 Definitions

(1) In these Rules—

applicant means the person or persons applying for an order under the Act;

Court means the Court to which an application under the Act is made;

Judge means a Judge of the court to which an application under the Act is made, whether the Supreme Court or the County Court;

Secretary means the Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community Safety;

the Act means the Adoption Act 1984.

(2) An expression used in the Adoption Act 1984 has the same meaning in these Rules as it has in that Act.

6 Application to be by originating summons—Form 1

(1) An application for an adoption order shall be made by originating summons in Form 1.

(2) The proposed adoptive parent or parents shall be the applicant or applicants and the Judge may direct any other person or any institution to be made a respondent.

7 Summons and notice of identification to be filed—Form 2

(1) The originating summons shall be filed in the Court immediately it is issued under Rule 6.

(2) A notice of identification of the child in Form 2 shall be filed with the summons.

8 Service

(1) Unless on application the Judge directs otherwise, every originating summons required by this Order to be served shall be served personally.

(2) Within 21 days of being served with an originating summons, any respondent shall file in the Supreme Court or the County Court (as the case requires) a notice specifying an address within Victoria as the respondent's address for service where summonses, notices and other documents may be left for the respondent.

(3) Unless on application the Judge directs otherwise, every summons (other than an originating summons), notice or other document required by this Order to be served may be served—

(a) personally; or

(b) by being posted in a prepaid registered envelope addressed—

(i) to the person or institution to be served at the address for service of the person or institution; or

(ii) if the person or institution has not filed a notice specifying an address for service pursuant to paragraph (2), at the last known address of the person or institution.

(4) The service of every summons, notice or other document not served by the Court shall be verified by affidavit, unless the Judge directs otherwise.

(5) If the person to be served is a minor, service in accordance with this Rule shall be sufficient unless the Judge orders otherwise.

9 Affidavit in support of application—Form 3

An application for an adoption order shall be supported by evidence on affidavit in Form 3 which shall disclose—

(a) the age and sex of the applicants and of the child and their relationships (if any) to each other;

(b) the identity of the child so far as it is known to the applicants;

(d) the location of the child;

(e) particulars of any person with whom the child resides or who has the care and custody of the child;

(f) whether any and what proceedings have been brought or orders made by any court concerning the guardianship, care, custody or maintenance of, or access to the child, and shall have attached to it copies or certified extracts of any such orders, and if no such proceedings have been brought, a statement to that effect;

(g) where the applicants are married to each other, particulars of their marriage, including—

(i) the date of the marriage;

(ii) the name and address of the church or other place of the marriage ceremony;

(iii) if known, the name of the minister or other authorised person who performed the marriage ceremony;

(h) where applicable, whether the applicants' relationship is recognized as a traditional marriage by an Aboriginal community or Aboriginal group to which they belong and whether it has been so recognized for 2 years or more;

(i) where the applicants are living together in a registered domestic relationship or a domestic relationship with each other, whether they have been so living for 2 years or more and whether either is married;

(j) where the applicants have been living with each other in a combination of the relationships referred to in paragraphs (g), (h) and (i), particulars of the duration of each such relationship;

(k) where an applicant is married or in a registered domestic partnership and the spouse or partner is not an applicant, whether the applicant is living with the spouse or partner and, if so, whether the spouse or partner (as the case may be) consents to the adoption order;

(l) where an applicant is living in a domestic relationship and has been for not less than 2 years and the domestic partner is not an applicant, whether the domestic partner consents to the adoption order and whether the applicant or the domestic partner is married;

(m) whether an applicant or the spouse of an applicant or the domestic partner of an applicant is a relative of the child and, if so, how the applicant or domestic partner is related to the child;

(n) whether an applicant is a man who, under section 33(3) of the Act, is an appropriate person to give consent to the adoption of the child;

(o) where an applicant or the domestic partner of an applicant has previously been married, particulars of each such marriage and of its termination (the affidavit to have attached to it a copy of any relevant certificate of death or decree absolute);

(p) the assets and income of the applicants;

(q) whether any applicant has any children or adopted children and if so the respective sexes and ages of those children;

(r) whether the child is a non-citizen child;

(s) where the child is a non-citizen child—

(i) whether the child has been in the care of the applicants for the preceding 12 months;

(ii) whether the applicants were approved by the Secretary or by an authorized agency under section 51(1)(a) of the Act as suitable to adopt a non-citizen child before the child came into or was placed in the care of the applicants; and

(iii) whether the Secretary or an authorized agency has supervised the welfare and interests of the child during any period while the child was in the care of the applicants;

(t) whether, at any time before or after the birth of the child, any applicant or any other person to the best of any applicant's knowledge, information and belief has made, given or received or agreed to make, give or receive any, and if so what, payment or reward for or in consideration of—

(i) the adoption or proposed adoption of the child;

(ii) the giving of consent or the signing of an instrument of consent to the adoption of the child;

(iii) the transfer of the custody, care or control of the child with a view to the adoption of the child; or

(iv) the making of arrangements with a view to the adoption of the child;

(u) whether any and what insurance has been effected on the life of the child or for the benefit of the child;

(v) whether the applicant has made any previous application for the adoption of the child and whether any adoption order or other order under the Act or under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 or any corresponding previous enactment has previously been made in respect of the child; and

(w) any other matters necessary to support the application or to define any issues.

10 Affidavit in support under section 69A of the Act

(1) In addition to complying with Rule 9, an affidavit in support of an application under section 69A of the Act must comply with this Rule.

(2) The affidavit shall state—

(a) whether the deponent is habitually resident in a Convention country; and

(b) whether the child to be adopted is habitually resident in Victoria.

(3) The affidavit shall state the belief of the deponent, and the grounds for such belief, as to—

(a) whether the child to be adopted is prevented from leaving Australia—

(i) under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or

(ii) because of an order of a court of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory;

(b) whether the arrangements for the adoption of the child are in accordance with the requirements of the Hague Convention;

(d) whether the State Central Authority has agreed to the adoption of the child.

Notes

1 Convention country, Central Authority and State Central Authority are defined in section 4(1) of the Adoption Act 1984.

2 The requirements for intercountry adoptions are set out in articles 4 and 5 of the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption signed at The Hague on 29 May 1993 (the "Hague Convention"). The Hague Convention is set out in Schedule 1 to the Adoption Act 1984.

11 Affidavit in support under section 69B of the Act

(1) In addition to complying with Rule 9, an affidavit in support of an application under section 69B of the Act must comply with this Rule.

(2) The affidavit shall state—

(a) whether the deponent is habitually resident in Victoria; and

(b) whether the child to be adopted is habitually resident in a Convention country.

(3) The affidavit shall state the belief of the deponent, and the grounds for such belief, as to—

(a) whether the child to be adopted is prevented from residing permanently in Australia—

(i) under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or

(ii) because of an order of a court of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory;

(b) whether the arrangements for the adoption of the child are in accordance with the requirements of the Hague Convention;

(d) whether the State Central Authority has agreed to the adoption of the child.

Notes

1 Convention country, Central Authority and State Central Authority are defined in section 4(1) of the Adoption Act 1984.

2 The requirements for intercountry adoptions are set out in articles 4 and 5 of the Convention on Protection of Children and Co‑operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption signed at The Hague on 29 May 1993 (the "Hague Convention"). The Hague Convention is set out in Schedule 1 to the Adoption Act 1984.

12 By whom affidavits sworn or affirmed

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), an affidavit in support of an application under the Act shall be sworn or affirmed by the applicant but where the applicant cannot swear or affirm positively to all the facts of the applicant's own knowledge, a further affidavit or affidavits shall be sworn or affirmed by some other person or persons who can swear to or affirm the facts.

(2) The Judge, in the Judge's discretion, may admit an affidavit deposing to any facts from information and belief if the Judge considers that the difficulties of obtaining a further affidavit under paragraph (1) justify that course.

13 Documents to be served on guardian

(1) As soon as practicable after the issue of a summons under Rule 6, the applicant shall cause to be served in accordance with this Rule on the guardian—

(a) a copy of each affidavit filed by the applicant in support of the application;

(b) a certified copy of the entry in the Register maintained under Part 7 of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 with respect to the birth of the child; and

(2) Service in accordance with this Rule means, in the case of an application for adoption in respect of a child whose guardian is not the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency, service on the guardian and on the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency.

14 Filing of affidavits

All affidavits and documents in respect of any application under the Act shall be filed at the time of the issue of the summons or thereafter, as the occasion may require—

(a) where the application is being made to the Supreme Court—in that Court; and

(b) where the application is being made to the County Court—in that Court.

15 Summons to dispense with consent—Forms 4 and 5

(1) An application for an order that the Court dispense with any consent required by section 33 of the Act shall be made by summons in Form 4, unless the Judge determines under section 43(2) of the Act—

(a) that reasonable inquiry has been made for the person from whose consent a dispensation is sought; and

(b) that the person cannot be found.

(2) A summons under paragraph (1) shall be served personally on the person from whose consent a dispensation is sought, unless the Judge orders otherwise.

(3) A person who makes an application under paragraph (1) shall—

(a) serve or cause to be served on the Secretary not less than 30 days before the day specified in the summons for the hearing of the application, or within such other time as is fixed by a Judge—

(i) a copy of the summons; and

(ii) a copy of every document that the applicant proposes to use in support of the application; and

(b) make and file before the hearing an affidavit of service.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply if the Secretary is the person from whose consent a dispensation is sought in the application.

(5) On the return of a summons under paragraph (1), the Secretary may apply to the Judge for leave to intervene in the proceeding and the Judge—

(a) may give leave if the Judge considers it desirable in the interests of the child; and

(b) may give any further directions the Judge considers necessary for the further conduct of the application.

(6) An order dispensing with the consent of a person to an adoption shall be in Form 5.

16 Non-disclosure of applicant's name

Unless the Judge hearing the application orders otherwise, in an application to dispense with the consent of a person to an adoption—

(a) the name of any applicant for an adoption order shall not appear on the summons and shall not be disclosed to the respondent;

(b) the proposed name of the child shall not appear on the summons and shall not be disclosed to the respondent; and

(c) any reference to the child in the summons shall be a reference to the name in which the child's birth was recorded in the Register maintained under Part 7 of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996.

17 Appointment of day for hearing

As soon as practicable after the Judge receives a report under Rule 23, the Judge shall—

(a) appoint a day for the hearing of the application; and

(b) enter the appointment on the summons issued under Rule 6.

18 Service of summons and appointment of hearing

(1) When a day has been appointed for the hearing of an application for an adoption order, the applicant or the applicant's solicitor shall cause a copy of the summons and appointment sealed by the Court and a copy of the notice of identification with any amendments directed by the Judge to be served not less than 5 clear days before the day appointed—

(a) on the persons referred to in section 16(1) of the Act, unless the Judge orders otherwise on application made under section 16(2) of the Act; and

(b) on any person or institution who or which is made a respondent to the application.

(2) The Judge may order a sealed copy of the summons and appointment of the day of hearing and a copy of the notice of identification (with any amendments the Judge directs) or either of those documents to be served not less than 5 clear days before the day appointed for the hearing on any other person or institution, and service shall be effected accordingly.

19 Affidavit of service

Before the hearing of the application, the applicant shall file an affidavit of compliance with Rule 18 so far as it is applicable.

20 Production of child on application

The Judge may require a person who has custody of a child who is the subject of an application under the Act to produce the child on the hearing of the application.

21 Application for order changing guardianship—Forms 6 and 7

(1) An application for an order changing the guardianship of a child who is the subject of an application for an adoption order shall be made by summons in Form 6.

(2) Unless the Judge orders otherwise, a summons under paragraph (1) shall be served personally on the guardian for the time being of the child not less than 5 clear days before the application is heard.

(3) The Judge may require an affidavit to be filed as to the suitability of a person proposed for appointment as guardian.

(4) An order under this Rule—

(a) shall be in Form 7; and

(b) may give any directions the Judge thinks fit for the service of documents on the new guardian.

22 Service of copy of Rules as to duty of guardian

The Judge may order a copy of Rules 23 and 24 to be served on the guardian of a child who is the subject of an application for an adoption order.

23 Investigations and reports

(1) The Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency shall investigate the circumstances of a child in respect of whom an application for an adoption order is made and the applicants and all other matters relevant to the proposed adoption as fully as possible with a view to safeguarding the welfare and interests of the child and in particular shall investigate—

(a) the parentage of the child;

(b) whether any statement in any applicant's affidavit is untrue or incomplete, and whether the applicant's affidavit makes full disclosure in accordance with Rule 9;

(c) whether the applicants satisfy the requirements prescribed under section 15(1) of the Act relating to the approval of applicants;

(d) whether a parent of the child has expressed any wishes in relation to the religion, race or ethnic background of the proposed adoptive parent or adoptive parents of the child;

(e) whether a parent of the child has expressed any wishes after consent was given or dispensed with about access to or information about the child;

(f) whether any arrangements have been agreed between a parent of the child and the proposed adoptive parents for access to the child or the giving of information about the child;

(g) whether the welfare and interests of the child will be promoted by the adoption;

(h) whether—

(i) consent was given to the adoption of the child by a parent described in section 50(2)(a) of the Act; or

(ii) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the child has been accepted by an Aboriginal community as an Aborigine;

(i) where consent was given to the adoption of the child by a parent described in section 50(2)(a) of the Act, whether—

(i) the parent has received or has in writing expressed the wish not to receive counselling under section 50(2) of the Act; and

(ii) the proposed adoptive parents are persons of a class referred to in section 50(2)(c), (d) or (e) of the Act;

(j) where the child is a non-citizen child—

(i) whether the proposed adoptive parents were approved under section 51(1)(a) of the Act before the child came into or was placed in their care; and

(ii) whether the welfare and interests of the child have been supervised for 12 months in accordance with section 51(1)(b) of the Act while the child was in the care of the proposed adoptive parents;

(k) whether the means and status of the applicants are such as to enable them to maintain and bring up the child suitably and what right to or interest in property the child has;

(l) whether it is desirable for the welfare of the child that the Court should be asked—

(i) to make an interim order; or

(ii) in making an adoption order, to impose any particular terms or conditions or to require the adoptive parents to make any particular provision for the child;

(m) whether, at any time before or after the birth of the child, the applicants have or any other person has made, given or received or agreed to make, give or receive any, and if so, what payment or reward for or in consideration of—

(i) the adoption or proposed adoption of the child;

(ii) the giving of consent or the signing of an instrument of consent to the adoption of the child;

(iii) the transfer of the custody, care or control of the child with a view to the adoption of the child; or

(iv) the making of arrangements with a view to the adoption of the child;

(n) whether any and what insurance has been effected—

(i) on the life of the child; or

(ii) for the benefit of the child;

(o) whether the consent of every person whose consent is required under section 33 of the Act has been obtained, whether section 35 and section 36 of the Act were complied with in respect of each consent, and if any consent under the Act has not been obtained the reason why it has not been obtained; and

(p) whether any parent who consents to the adoption of the child is an Aborigine, or the child has been accepted by an Aboriginal community as an Aborigine.

(2) The person responsible for making an investigation under paragraph (1) shall report the result of the investigation to the Judge, in writing—

(a) within 30 days after the service on that person of the documents referred to in Rule 13; or

(b) within such further or lesser time as the Judge may direct.

(3) The person responsible for making an investigation under paragraph (1) shall attach to the report and verify on affidavit from knowledge, information or belief—

(a) a certified copy of the entry in the Register maintained under Part 7 of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 with respect to the birth of the child;

(b) where the consent of any person whose consent to the adoption of the child is required by section 33 of the Act has been obtained—

(i) the instrument of consent; and

(ii) except in the case of a consent required by section 33(6) of the Act—the statements prescribed under section 34 of the Act, signed by the persons in whose presence the instrument of consent was signed;

(c) where the consent of any person whose consent to the adoption of the child is required by section 33 (except section 33(6)) of the Act has been obtained and was given at a place within Victoria—a certificate signed by the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency that the requirements of section 35(1) of the Act have been complied with;

(d) where the consent of any person whose consent to the adoption of the child is required by section 33(6) of the Act has been obtained—the declaration required by section 36 of the Act;

(e) where the consent of any person whose consent to the adoption of the child is required by section 33 of the Act has been dispensed with by the Court—a copy of the order dispensing with such consent sealed by the Court.

(4) If the guardian is not the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency, the guardian may or, if the Judge so directs, shall make a report to the Judge concerning any matter relevant to the proposed adoption.

(5) The Judge may—

(a) require the guardian or the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency (as the case may be) to give an oral report on any matter concerning which the Judge wishes to be satisfied in relation to the application;

(b) require the guardian or the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency (as the case may be) to verify any report made to the Court or any matter incidental to the report by affidavit or on oath or by affirmation;

(d) give any direction the Judge thinks fit for the report by the guardian or the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency (as the case may be) to be made available to any applicant.

24 Information to be confidential

Subject to Rule 46, all information obtained by the guardian, the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency in the course of an investigation under Rule 23 or otherwise in relation to an application—

(a) shall be regarded as confidential; and

(b) no part of it shall be divulged to any person except so far as may be necessary for the proper execution of the duty of the guardian or the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency, as the case may be.

25 Presence of parties

(1) The Judge may refuse to make an order under the Act unless all parties attend personally before the Judge, but the Judge may dispense with the attendance of any party in any hearing under the Act.

(2) The Judge may direct that—

(a) any of the parties shall attend separately and apart from the others; or

(b) any party or the child shall be interviewed privately by the Judge or—

(i) the Prothonotary, if the application is in the Supreme Court; or

(ii) the Registrar of the County Court, if the application is in the County Court.

26 As to previous unsuccessful applications

If it appears that the applicant has made a previous application for an adoption order in respect of the same child to the Supreme Court or to the County Court and that the application has been refused, the Judge shall not make an adoption order unless satisfied that there has been a substantial change in the circumstances.

27 Where Secretary or principal officer is guardian

In any case where the guardian of the child is the Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency, the Prothonotary or the Registrar of the County Court (as the case may be), on the making of an adoption order, shall notify the guardian in writing of—

(a) the making of the order; and

(b) the date on which it was made.

28 Notice of adjournment

On any adjournment of a hearing, the Judge may direct to be served on any respondent not in attendance or on any other person or institution a notice of the time and place to which the hearing is adjourned.

29 Interim order—Form 8

An interim order—

(a) may provide for the supervision of the child by the guardian of the child or otherwise as the Judge thinks advisable; and

(b) shall be in Form 8.

30 Adoption order and certificate of adoption—Forms 9 and 10

(1) An adoption order made shall be in Form 9.

(2) The certificate of adoption issued by the court under section 52 of the Act shall be in Form 10.

31 Application to discharge adoption order—Form 11

(1) An application under section 19(1) of the Act shall be made by summons in Form 11.

(2) A summons under paragraph (1) shall be supported by affidavit.

(3) Unless the Court otherwise orders, a summons under paragraph (1) and any supporting affidavit shall be served on every person who has any right, privilege, duty or liability under the adoption order.

32 Application to vary condition on adoption of child—Forms 12 and 13

(1) An application under section 60(1) of the Act for the variation of an adoption order so that the order is subject to a condition referred to in section 59 or 59A of the Act shall be made by summons in Form 12.

(2) An application under section 60(2) of the Act for the variation or revocation of a condition to which an adoption order was made subject under section 59 or 59A of the Act shall be made by summons in Form 13.

(3) A summons under this Rule shall be supported by affidavit.

(4) A summons under this Rule and any supporting affidavit shall be served on every person who has any duty or privilege under the adoption order or condition (as the case requires).

33 Application for guardianship of non-citizen child—Forms 14 and 15

(1) An application under section 47 of the Act that the Secretary or principal officer of an approved agency be the guardian of a non-citizen child shall be made by summons in Form 14.

(2) A summons under paragraph (1) shall be supported by affidavit disclosing any matters necessary to support the application and to define the issues.

(3) A summons under paragraph (1) and any supporting affidavit shall be served not less than 5 clear days before the hearing of the application on every person who has the care or control of the child.

(4) An order that the Secretary or principal officer be the guardian of a non-citizen child shall be in Form 15.

34 Application to restrict access of natural parent—Form 16

(1) An application under section 48(2) of the Act for an order restricting the access of a natural parent to a child during the period in which a consent under section 43 of the Act may be revoked shall be made by summons in Form 16.

(2) An application under section 48(2) of the Act shall be supported by affidavit.

(3) A summons under paragraph (1) and any supporting affidavit shall be served on such persons as the Judge directs within such time before the hearing as the Judge directs.

35 Application for declaration as to foreign adoption—Forms 17 and 18

(1) An application under section 69 of the Act for an order declaring that an adoption was effected under the law of a country, other than New Zealand, outside the Commonwealth and the Territories and that the adoption is one of which section 67 of the Act applies shall be made by summons in Form 17.

(2) A summons under paragraph (1) shall be supported by affidavit.

(3) A summons under paragraph (1) and any supporting affidavit shall be served on the Secretary and on such other persons as the Judge directs under section 69 of the Act not less than 5 clear days before the hearing of the application.

(4) An order making a declaration under section 69 of the Act shall be in Form 18.

36 Application under section 69H—Form 19

(1) An application under section 69H of the Act shall be made by summons in Form 19.

(2) A summons under paragraph (1) shall be supported by affidavit.

37 Application under section 69I—Forms 20 and 21

(1) An application under section 69I of the Act shall be made by summons in Form 20.

(2) A summons under paragraph (1) shall be supported by affidavit.

(3) A summons under paragraph (1) and any supporting affidavit shall be served on such person or persons and in such manner as the Court directs.

(4) An order making a declaration under section 69I of the Act shall be in Form 21.

38 Application under section 69W—Forms 22 and 23

(1) An application under section 69W of the Act shall be made by summons in Form 22.

(2) A summons under paragraph (1) shall be supported by affidavit.

(3) A summons under paragraph (1) and any supporting affidavit shall be served on such person or persons and in such manner as the Court directs.

(4) An order making a declaration under section 69W of the Act shall be in Form 23.

39 Application for information—Form 24

An application by the Secretary under section 86 of the Act to the Court for information relating to the proceeding as a result of which an adoption order was made by that Court shall be in Form 24.

40 Application for a copy of birth certificate

A request under section 92(7) of the Act by the Secretary for a copy of an extract from, or a certified copy of, a birth certificate or the entry relating to that birth in the Register maintained under Part 7 of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 shall be made by application to the Court.

41 Application for authority to publish identity of parties—Form 25

An application for authority to publish matter to which section 121(1) of the Act applies shall be in Form 25.

42 Transfer of application from County Court to Supreme Court

(1) If an application for an order is made to the County Court and the Judge directs that the application be transferred to the Supreme Court under section 6(1A) of the Act—

(a) the Judge shall inform the Chief Justice in writing of the Judge's reasons for so directing; and

(b) all documents in relation to the application shall be delivered to the Prothonotary by the Registrar of the County Court.

(2) If an application under the Act has been transferred to the Supreme Court under section 6(1A) of the Act, a Judge of the Supreme Court—

(a) may appoint a time for the hearing of the application in the Supreme Court;

(b) may direct the applicant to give such notice as the Judge thinks proper of the time so appointed; and

(i) that the steps taken in the County Court shall be deemed to be sufficient compliance with the Rules relating to applications in the Supreme Court; or

(ii) what further steps shall be taken under the Rules relating to applications in the Supreme Court.

43 Documents to be confidential

(1) Subject to Rule 46, all documents filed in Court under these Rules shall be confidential.

(2) The Prothonotary or Registrar of the County Court, as the case may be, shall keep all documents filed in Court under these Rules confidential.

44 Form of documents

The forms in these Rules shall be used in relation to applications under the Act and in any case where no appropriate form is included in these Rules, the forms in use in the Court may be adopted with such variations as may be necessary.

45 Enlargement or abridgment of time

The Court or a Judge, on such terms (if any) as the justice of the case requires, may enlarge or abridge the time appointed by these Rules or fixed by an order made under these Rules for doing any act and any such enlargement may be ordered although the application for it is made after the expiration of the time so appointed or fixed.

46 Court may grant access to information

If a child is separately represented in a proceeding referred to in section 106(1)(a), (b) or (c) of the Act, the Court, by order, may grant to the person representing the child such access as the Court thinks fit to any information referred to in Rule 24 or any document referred to in Rule 43 for the purposes only of that representation.

Form 1—Summons for Adoption Order

Rule 6(1)

IN THE *SUPREME COURT *COUNTY COURT 20 . No.
IN THE MATTER of the Adoption Act 1984
AND
IN THE MATTER of a child proposed to be named
Applicants

Summons for Adoption Order

*TO:

TAKE NOTICE that the applicants [names, addresses and occupations of applicants] have applied to the Court for an order authorising them to adopt *jointly a child to be named [proposed name of child] under the provisions of the Adoption Act 1984.

IF YOU INTEND TO OPPOSE the application you must attend before the Court at the time and place named in this summons.

FILED [date]

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

The address for service of the applicants is:

I APPOINT [insert date and time] as the day and time for the hearing of this application.

Dated:

Judge

*delete if inapplicable

Form 2—Notice of identification

Rule 7(2)

[heading as in Form 1]

Notice of identification

TO THE	Prothonotary Registrar of the County Court

TAKE NOTICE that the above-named child described as a child proposed to be named [name of child as in heading] is identical with a child known as [name of child as recorded in the Register maintained under Part 7 of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996] and born at on the [insert date and place of birth as recorded in the Register maintained under Part 7 of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996] and whose parents are [names of parents as recorded in the Register maintained under Part 7 of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996].

Dated:

Solicitor for the Applicants

*delete if inapplicable

Form 3—Affidavit of applicants in support of application

Rule 9

[heading as in Form 1]

Affidavit of Applicants in Support of Application

We [names and occupations] both of [address] in the State of Victoria jointly and severally *make oath/*affirm and say as follows:

That we desire to be jointly authorised under the provisions of the Adoption Act 1984 to adopt [name of child] now residing at [address].
[Particulars of the identity of the child as far as known to the applicants].
[Particulars of the age and sex of the applicants and (as far as known) of the child and their relationships to each other].
[Particulars of the residence and domicile of each applicant].
[Particulars (if known) of any person with whom the child resides or who has the care and custody of the child].
[Particulars of any proceedings which have been brought or orders made by any court concerning the guardianship, care, custody or maintenance of or access to the child].

That we are not aware of any proceeding which has been brought before or orders which have been made by any court concerning the guardianship, care, custody or maintenance of or access to the child.

[Where applicable—particulars of the date and the church or other place of marriage of the applicants and the minister or other authorised person who performed the ceremony and a statement that the applicants have not been divorced or separated since the marriage].

[Where applicable—a statement that the applicants consider that their relationship is recognized as a traditional marriage by an Aboriginal community or an Aboriginal group to which they belong and particulars of how long this relationship has been so recognized].

[Where applicable—where the applicants are living together in a registered domestic relationship or a domestic relationship with each other, whether they have been so living for 2 years or more and whether either is married].

[Where applicable—where the applicants have been living with each other in any combination of the relationships referred to in paragraphs (g), (h) or (i) of Rule 9, particulars of the duration of each such relationship].

**[Where applicable—where an applicant is married or in a registered domestic partnership and the spouse or partner is not an applicant, whether the applicant is living with the spouse or partner and, if so, whether the spouse or partner (as the case may be) consents to the adoption order].

**[Where applicable—where an applicant is living in a domestic relationship and has been for not less than 2 years and the domestic partner is not an applicant, whether the domestic partner consents to the adoption order AND whether the applicant or the domestic partner is married].

[Particulars of any relationship between an applicant or spouse or domestic partner of an applicant and the child].
That neither of us is the mother of the child or a man who, under section 33(3) of the Act, is an appropriate person to give consent to the adoption of the child.
[Except as given in paragraph 7, particulars of any marriage of an applicant or the domestic partner of an applicant and, if the marriage has been terminated, particulars of its termination—attaching to the affidavit a copy of any relevant certificate of death or decree absolute].
[Particulars of income and assets of applicants].
[Particulars of the children, natural or adopted, of the applicants or either of them].
That as far as we are aware the child is not a non-citizen child.

[Where the child is a non-citizen child, particulars of the persons in whose care the child has been for the preceding 12 months, particulars of any approval from the Secretary or an authorized agency under section 51(1)(a) of the Act which has been given to the applicants, particulars of any supervision of the welfare and interests of the child exercised by the Secretary or such an agency in the preceding 12 months].

That we have not received or agreed to receive, and that no person has made or given or agreed to make or give to us, any payment or other reward in consideration of the adoption and that we have not made or agreed to make any payment or other reward for or in consideration of—

(a) the adoption or proposed adoption of the child;

(b) the giving of consent or the signing of an instrument of consent to the adoption of the child;

(d) the making of arrangements with a view to the adoption of the child.

That we are not aware of any insurance having been effected on the life of the child.

[Particulars of the amount of any insurance known to have been effected on the life of the child, and when it is due].

That we have not previously applied for an adoption order in respect of the child.

[Particulars of any previous application for an adoption order in respect of the child made by any applicant].

[Particulars of any adoption order or other order under the Adoption Act 1984 or the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 [or under any corresponding previous enactment] known to have been made in respect of the child].
That we desire the child to be registered in the name of [desired fore names and surname].

*Sworn/*Affirmed at, etc.

*delete if inapplicable

** Relevant only if application is made by sole applicant.

Form 4—Summons to dispense with consent required under section 33 of the Adoption Act 1984

Rule 15(1)

IN THE *SUPREME COURT *COUNTY COURT 20 . No.
IN THE MATTER of the Adoption Act 1984
AND
IN THE MATTER of [name of child]
Applicants

Summons to Dispense with Consent Required under Section 33 of the Adoption Act 1984

*TO:

TAKE NOTICE that the applicants [names, addresses and occupations of applicants] have applied to the Court for the hearing of an application for an order dispensing with the consent of to the making of an adoption order in respect of the above-named child under the provisions of the Adoption Act 1984.

IF YOU INTEND TO OPPOSE the application you must attend before the Court at the time and place named in this summons.

FILED [date]

THE DATE AND TIME for the hearing of this application is [insert date and time]

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Form 5—Order dispensing with consent

Rule 15(6)

[heading as in Form 4]

Order dispensing with consent

JUDGE:

DATE MADE:

ORIGINATING PROCESS:

HOW OBTAINED:

ATTENDANCE: [set out attendance or non-attendance of any person entitled to attend and, if attending, whether by counsel or solicitor]

ON APPLICATION and on reading the summons issued the [insert date], the affidavit of [names of applicants] and the affidavits of [names of other deponents] filed [insert date],

THE COURT DIRECTS that the consent of [name] a person whose consent is required under section 33 of the Adoption Act 1984 to the adoption of the child be dispensed with.

[signature of Judge]

[name of Judge]

*delete if inapplicable

Form 6—Summons to change guardianship of child

Rule 21(1)

[heading as in Form 4]

Summons to Change Guardianship of Child

To: [identify each party or other person to whom summons is addressed and state address of each person not a party].

You are summoned to attend before the Court on the hearing of an application by the applicants for an order that [name of proposed guardian] of [address of proposed guardian] be appointed the guardian of the above‑named child for the purposes of an application by the above-named applicants for an adoption order in respect of the child.

The application will be heard before the Judge in Court No. , *Supreme Court/*County Court [insert address], at [insert time] on the [insert date].

FILED [date].

This summons was filed by of , solicitor for the [identify party].

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Form 7—Order changing guardianship of child

Rule 21(4)

[heading as in Form 4]

Order Changing Guardianship of Child

JUDGE:

DATE MADE:

ORIGINATING PROCESS:

HOW OBTAINED:

ATTENDANCE: [set out attendance or non-attendance of any person entitled to attend and, if attending, whether by counsel or solicitor]

ON APPLICATION and on reading the summons issued the [insert date], the affidavit of [names of applicants] and the affidavits of [names of other deponents] filed [insert date],

THE COURT ORDERS that [name of former guardian] shall cease to be theguardian of the above-named child and that [name of guardian] of [address of guardian] shall hereafter be the guardian of the child for the purposes of an application by the above-named applicants for an adoption order in respect of the child.

[signature of Judge]

[name of Judge]

*delete if inapplicable

Form 8—Interim Order

Rule 29(b)

[heading as in Form 4]

Interim Order

JUDGE:

DATE MADE:

ORIGINATING PROCESS:

HOW OBTAINED:

ATTENDANCE: [set out attendance or non-attendance of any person entitled to attend and, if attending, whether by counsel or solicitor]

ON APPLICATION and on reading the summons issued the [insert date], the affidavit of [names of applicants] and the affidavits of [names of other deponents] filed [insert date] and the exhibits referred to therein and ON HEARING the solicitor for the applicants and the evidence of [name of guardian] of [address and occupation], the guardian ofthe above-named child,

THE COURT BEING SATISFIED that it is for the benefit of the child that the child should for the present be in the custody of [names of applicants] and that all the requirements of the Adoption Act 1984 have been complied with,

THE COURT ORDERS that:

*the following payment or reward is sanctioned: [details of authorised payment or reward].

the determination of the summons be postponed, and that the custody of the child be given to [names of applicants] or the period of from the date of this order by way of a probationary period *[and subject to the supervision of [name of guardian or other person directed to supervise], of [address and occupation], who shall be at liberty at all reasonable times to visit and interview the child alone, and to make all necessary inquiries as to the comfort and well-being of the child].

*And the following terms and conditions are to be observed: [details of terms and conditions to which the order for custody is subject under section 62(2) of the Adoption Act 1984].

Any of the parties, including the guardian of the child, shall be at liberty to apply as they may be advised.

[signature of Judge]

[name of Judge]

*delete if inapplicable

Form 9—Adoption Order

Rule 30(1)

[heading as in Form 1]

Adoption Order

JUDGE:

DATE MADE:

ORIGINATING PROCESS:

HOW OBTAINED:

ATTENDANCE: [set out attendance or non-attendance of any person entitled to attend and, if attending, whether by counsel or solicitor]

ON READING the summons issued the [insert date] and on reading the affidavit(s) of [names of applicants], and the affidavits of [names of other deponents] filed [insert date] and the exhibits referred to therein, and ON HEARING the solicitor for the applicants and the evidence of [name of guardian] of [address and occupation], the guardian of the above-named child,

AND THE COURT BEING SATISFIED that it is for the benefit of the child that the child should be adopted by [names of applicants] and that all the requirements of the Adoption Act 1984 have been complied with,

THE COURT ORDERS that [name and occupation of applicant] of [address] *and [name and occupation of applicant] of [address] *both in the State of Victoria, be authorised to adopt the child, *subject to the following conditions imposed under section 59 of the Adoption Act 1984.

[signature of Judge]

[name of Judge]

*delete if inapplicable

Form 10—Certificate of adoption

Rule 30(2)

Certificate of Adoption

To: [name(s) of adoptive parent(s)]

This is to certify that an order was made on the [insert date of order] under the Adoption Act 1984 authorising [name(s) of adoptive parent(s)] to adopt [name of child under the order] born at [place of birth of the child].

Dated:

Judge

Form 11—Application to discharge Adoption Order under section 19(1) of the Adoption Act 1984

Rule 31(1)

[heading as in Form 1]

Application to Discharge Adoption Order under Section 19(1) of the Adoption Act 1984

To: [identify each party or other person to whom summons is addressed and state address of each person not a party].

You are summoned to attend before the Court on the hearing of an application for an order discharging an order made [date of order] for the adoption of [name of adopted child].

The application will be heard before the Judge in Court No. , *Supreme Court/*County Court [insert address], at [insert time] on the [insert date].

FILED [date].

This summons was filed by of , solicitor for the [identify party].

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Form 12—Summons to vary Adoption Order to make Order subject to condition

Rule 32(1)

[heading as in Form 1]

Summons to Vary Adoption Order to Make Order Subject to Condition

To: [identify each party or other person to whom summons is addressed and state address of each person not a party].

You are summoned to attend before the Court on the hearing of an application under section 60 of the Adoption Act 1984 for an order that the adoption order made by the *Supreme Court/*County Court on [insert date] for the adoption of [name of adopted child] be varied to make it subject to the following condition(s)—

[insert details of the relevant condition, being a condition under section 59 or 59A of the Adoption Act 1984]

The application will be heard before the Judge in Court No. , *Supreme Court/*County Court [insert address], at [insert time] on the [insert date].

FILED [date].

This summons was filed by of , solicitor for the [identify party].

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Form 13—Summons to vary or revoke condition attached to Adoption Order under section 59 of the Adoption Act 1984

Rule 32(2)

[heading as in Form 1]

Summons to Vary or Revoke Condition Attached to Adoption Order under Section 59 of the Adoption Act 1984

To: [identify each party or other person to whom summons is addressed and state address of each person not a party].

You are summoned to attend before the Court on the hearing of an application for an order that a condition to which the order made [insert date of order] for the adoption of [name of adopted child] was made subject under section 59 of the Adoption Act 1984 be revoked or varied by [insert details]

The application will be heard before the Judge in Court No. , *Supreme Court/*County Court [insert address], at [insert time] on the [insert date].

FILED [date].

This summons was filed by of , solicitor for the [identify party].

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Form 14—Summons to appoint guardian of non‑citizen child

Rule 33(1)

IN THE *SUPREME COURT *COUNTY COURT 20 . No.
IN THE MATTER of the Adoption Act 1984
AND
IN THE MATTER of [name of child]
[names of applicants]*Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community Safety/ *Principal Officer of [name of agency] an approved agency—Applicant

Summons to Appoint Guardian of Non‑Citizen Child

TAKE NOTICE that the applicants [names, addresses and occupations of applicants] have applied to the Court for an order that [Secretary or name of principal officer] of [address] be appointed the guardian of the above-named child for the purposes of making arrangements with a view to the adoption of the child.

IF YOU INTEND TO OPPOSE the application you must attend before the Court at the time and place named in this summons.

FILED [date]

THE DATE AND TIME for the hearing of this application is [insert date and time]

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

The address for service of the applicants is—

*delete if inapplicable

Form 15—Order for guardianship of non‑citizen child

Rule 33(4)

[heading as in Form 14]

Order for Guardianship of Non-Citizen Child

JUDGE:

DATE MADE:

ORIGINATING PROCESS:

HOW OBTAINED:

ATTENDANCE: [set out attendance or non-attendance of any person entitled to attend and, if attending, whether by counsel or solicitor]

ON APPLICATION and on reading the summons issued the [insert date] and on reading the affidavit of [names of applicants] and theaffidavits of [names of other deponents] filed [insert date],

THE COURT ORDERS that the *Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community Safety/*principal officer of [name of agency] [name of guardian] of [address of guardian] shall hereafter be the guardian of the above-named child for the purposes of making arrangements with a view to the adoption of the child.

[signature of Judge]

[name of Judge]

*delete if inapplicable

Form 16—Summons to restrict access of a parent to a child

Rule 34(1)

IN THE *SUPREME COURT *COUNTY COURT 20 . No.
IN THE MATTER OF the Adoption Act 1984
AND
IN THE MATTER OF [name of child]Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community Safety/ *Principal Officer [name of principal officer] of [name of agency] an approved agency—Applicant.

Summons to Restrict Access of a Parent to a Child

To: [identify each party or other person to whom summons is addressed and state address of each person not a party].

You are summoned to attend before the Court on the hearing of an application for an order that the access of [name of parent] a parent of the child to the child be restricted by .

The application will be heard before the Judge in Court No. , *Supreme Court/*County Court [insert address], at [insert time] on the [insert date].

FILED [date].

This summons was filed by of , solicitor for the [identify party].

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Form 17—Summons for declaration of recognition of foreign adoption

Rule 35(1)

IN THE *SUPREME COURT *COUNTY COURT 20 . No.
IN THE MATTER of the Adoption Act 1984
AND
IN THE MATTER of [name of child]
Applicants

Summons for Declaration of Recognition of Foreign Adoption

TAKE NOTICE that the applicants [names, addresses and occupations of applicants] have applied to the Court for the hearing of an application for an order declaring that the adoption of the above-named child was effected under the law of on the [insert date], and that the adoption is one to which section 67 of the Adoption Act 1984 applies.

IF YOU INTEND TO OPPOSE the application you must attend before the Court at the time and place named in this summons.

FILED [date]

THE DATE AND TIME for the hearing of this application is [insert date and time]

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Form 18—Declaration of recognition of foreign adoption

Rule 35(4)

[heading as in Form 17]

Declaration of Recognition of Foreign Adoption

JUDGE:

DATE MADE:

ORIGINATING PROCESS:

HOW OBTAINED:

ATTENDANCE: [set out attendance or non-attendance of any person entitled to attend and, if attending, whether by counsel or solicitor]

ON APPLICATION and on reading the summons issued the [insert date] and on reading the affidavit of [names of applicants] and theaffidavits of [names of other deponents] filed [insert date],

THE COURT DECLARES that the adoption of the above-named child was effected in [name of country] on the [insert date], according to the laws of that country and is an adoption to which section 67 of the Adoption Act 1984 applies.

[signature of Judge]

[name of Judge]

*delete if inapplicable

Form 19—Summons for terminating legal relationship

Rule 36(1)

[heading as in Form 17]

Summons for Terminating Legal Relationship under Section 69H of the Adoption Act 1984

TAKE NOTICE that the applicants [names, addresses and occupations of applicants] have applied to the Court for the hearing of an application for an order under section 69H of the Adoption Act 1984 terminating the legal relationship between [name of adopted child] and [name(s) of persons who, immediately before the adoption, were the child's parents].

IF YOU INTEND TO OPPOSE the application you must attend before the Court at the time and place named in this summons.

FILED [date]

THE DATE AND TIME for the hearing of this application is [insert date and time]

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Dated:

Form 20—Summons for declaration under section 69I of the Adoption Act 1984

Rule 37(1)

[heading as in Form 17]

Summons for Declaration under Section 69I of the Adoption Act 1984

TAKE NOTICE that the applicants [names, addresses and occupations of applicants] have applied to the Court for the hearing of an application under section 69I of the Adoption Act 1984 for an order declaring that—

the adoption of the above-named child, recognised under section 69D or 69E of the Act
the decision made in accordance with article 27 of the Hague Convention terminating the pre-existing legal parent-child relationship

is not recognised on the ground that it is manifestly contrary to public policy.

IF YOU INTEND TO OPPOSE the application you must attend before the Court at the time and place named in this summons.

FILED [date]

THE DATE AND TIME for the hearing of this application is [insert date and time]

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Form 21—Declaration under section 69I of the Adoption Act 1984

Rule 37(4)

[heading as in Form 17]

Declaration under Section 69I of the Adoption Act 1984

JUDGE:

DATE MADE:

ORIGINATING PROCESS:

HOW OBTAINED:

ATTENDANCE: [set out attendance or non-attendance of any person entitled to attend and, if attending, whether by counsel or solicitor]

ON APPLICATION and on reading the summons issued the [insert date] and on reading the affidavit of [name of applicant] and theaffidavits of [names of other deponents] filed [insert date],

THE COURT BEING SATISFIED that—

[insert details of the relevant adoption recognised under section 69D or 69E of the Adoption Act 1984 or decision made in accordance with article 27 of the Hague Convention]

is manifestly contrary to public policy,

THE COURT DECLARES THAT the *adoption/*decision is not recognised.

[signature of Judge]

[name of Judge]

*delete if inapplicable

Note: Under section 69I(3) of the Adoption Act 1984, if a court declares that an adoption recognised under section 69D or 69E of the Act, or an adoption or a decision made in accordance with article 27 of the Hague Convention is not recognised, the adoption or decision has no effect in Victoria.

Form 22—Summons for declaration under section 69W of the Adoption Act 1984

Rule 38(1)

[heading as in Form 17]

Summons for Declaration under Section 69W of the Adoption Act 1984

TAKE NOTICE that the applicants [names, addresses and occupations of applicants] have applied to the Court for the hearing of an application under section 69W of the Adoption Act 1984 for an order declaring that the adoption of the above-named child, which is otherwise recognised under section 69U of the Act, is not recognised on the ground that it is contrary to public policy.

IF YOU INTEND TO OPPOSE the application you must attend before the Court at the time and place named in this summons.

FILED [date]

THE DATE AND TIME for the hearing of this application is [insert date and time]

*Prothonotary/*Registrar of the County Court

*delete if inapplicable

Form 23—Declaration under section 69W of the Adoption Act 1984

Rule 38(4)

[heading as in Form 17]

Declaration under Section 69W of the Adoption Act 1984

JUDGE:

DATE MADE:

ORIGINATING PROCESS:

HOW OBTAINED:

ATTENDANCE: [set out attendance or non-attendance of any person entitled to attend and, if attending, whether by counsel or solicitor]

ON APPLICATION and on reading the summons issued the [insert date] and on reading the affidavit of [name of applicant] and theaffidavits of [names of other deponents] filed [insert date],

THE COURT BEING SATISFIED that—

[insert details of relevant adoption recognised under section 69U of the Act]

is manifestly contrary to public policy,

THE COURT DECLARES THAT the adoption is not recognised.

[signature of Judge]

[name of Judge]

*delete if inapplicable

Note: Under section 69W(3) of the Adoption Act 1984, if a court declares that an adoption recognised under section 69U of the Act is not recognised, the adoption has no effect in Victoria.

Form 24—Application for information

Rule 39

IN THE *SUPREME COURT *COUNTY COURT 20 . No.
IN THE MATTER OF the Adoption Act 1984
IN THE MATTER OF [name of child]
Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community SafetyApplicant
TO THE *Prothonotary *Registrar of the County Court

Application for Information

On [insert date of order], an order was made by [insert name of Judge who made the order] of the *Supreme Court/*County Court for the adoption of [name of child], the Secretary seeks the following information about the proceeding which resulted in that order [particulars of information sought] so that the Secretary may seek or obtain further information concerning [particulars of further information] which the Secretary is permitted to give to a person who applies under Part VI of the Adoption Act 1984.

Dated:

Secretary to the Department of
Justice and Community Safety

*delete if inapplicable

Form 25—Application for authority to publish matter relating to identity of parties

Rule 41

IN THE *SUPREME COURT *COUNTY COURT 20 . No.
IN THE MATTER OF the Adoption Act 1984
IN THE MATTER OF [name of adopted person]
Applicant
TO THE *Prothonotary *Registrar of the County Court

Application for Authority to Publish Matter Relating to Identity of Parties

On [insert date of order], an order was made by [insert name of Judge who made the order] of the *Supreme Court/*County Court for the adoption of [name of adopted person]:

As [name of adopted person] has attained the age of 18 years, [name of applicant] applies to the Court for authority to publish matter likely to enable the identification of [description of persons] who are persons described in section 121(1) of the Adoption Act 1984.

Dated:

Solicitor for the Applicant

*delete if inapplicable.

Dated: 28 August 2025

R. NIALL, C.J.

DAVID F. R. BEACH, J.A.

S. G. E. McLEISH, J.A.

K. WALKER, J.A.

L. A. TAYLOR, J.A.

R. J. ORR, J.A.

MELINDA RICHARDS, J.

JAMES D. ELLIOTT, J.

MELANIE SLOSS, J.

CHRISTOPHER W. BEALE, J.

JANE DIXON, J.

A. J. KEOGH, J.

S. J. MOORE, J.

ANDREW J. TINNEY, J.

JACINTA FORBES, J.

L. M. NICHOLS, J.

J. DELANY, J.

KATHRYN STYNES, J.

JAMES GORTON, J.

MICHAEL OSBORNE, J.

S. A. O'MEARA, J.

RICHARD ATTIWILL, J.

AMANDA FOX, J.

ANDREA TSALAMANDRIS, J.

P. MATTHEWS, J.

P. R. D. GRAY, J.

I. WALLER, J.

C. M. HARRIS, J.

A. J. WATSON, J.

P. COSGRAVE, J.

ADRIAN FINANZIO, J.

L. J. HANNON, J.

R. G. CRAIG, J.

═════════════

Endnotes

1 General information

See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.

The Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025, S.R. No. 84/2025 were made on 28 August 2025 by the Judges of the Supreme Court under section 25 of the Supreme Court Act 1986, No. 110/1986 and section 6(2) of the Adoption Act 1984, No. 10150/1984 and came into operation on 9 September 2025: rule 3(1).

The Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 28 August 2035 (see section 5 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994).

INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)

Style changes

Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.

References to ILA s. 39B

Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.

Interpretation

As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:

• Headings

All headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after
1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.
This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.
See section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).

• Examples, diagrams or notes

All examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).

• Punctuation

All punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after
1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.
See section 36(3B).

• Provision numbers

All provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after
1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).

• Location of "legislative items"

A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.

• Other material

Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).

2 Table of Amendments

There are no amendments made to the Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.

3 Explanatory details

Rule 3(2): S.R. No. 102/2015 as amended by S.R. No. 69/2022. ↑
Rule 3(3): S.R. No. 69/2022. ↑

Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Current sections

Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025

Source text: opening excerpt

1 Supreme Court (Adoption) Rules 2025

Main concepts

Who it affects

Key duties and rights

Penalties and enforcement

How it interacts with other laws

Amendment history

Litigation history

Gotchas

How to comply