TITLE XII
PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE

CHAPTER 170-B
ADOPTION

Section 170-B:15

    170-B:15 Jurisdiction, Venue, and Inconvenient Forum. –
I. The probate court has exclusive jurisdiction to grant a petition for adoption if the adoptee is present in the state or is in the legal custody or legal guardianship of an authorized agency located in the state at the time of filing of the petition. All of the requirements of RSA 170-A, if applicable, shall be met.
II. The petition for adoption shall be filed in the probate court of the county in which the surrender has taken place, or in the probate court of the county where a guardianship under RSA 463 or a termination of parental rights under RSA 170-C proceeding has occurred related to the same adoptee.
III. If the court finds that in the interest of substantial justice the matter should be heard in another court, the court may transfer the proceeding in whole or in part to another court within the state or other foreign jurisdiction.

Source. 2004, 255:1, eff. Jan. 2, 2005.