KRS § 199.520 Judgment -- Prerequisites -- Orders -- Name and legal status of child -- Health history and other nonidentifying information of biological parents and relatives to be given to adoptive parents. (Effective July 15, 2026)
AI-assisted research summary: This section says a court must enter an adoption judgment only when the listed adoption findings are met, the child’s name must be changed, court records must not reveal former or birth-parent names, the clerk must notify the cabinet, and the cabinet or child-placing agency must provide specified nonidentifying health/background information.
199.520 Judgment -- Prerequisites -- Orders -- Name and legal status of child -- Health history and other nonidentifying information of biological parents and relatives to be given to adoptive parents. (Effective July 15, 2026) (1) (a) After hearing the case, the court shall enter a judgment of adoption if it finds that: 1. The facts stated in the petition were established; 2. All legal requirements, including jurisdiction, relating to the adoption have been complied with; 3. The petitioners are of good moral character, of reputable standing in the community and of ability to properly maintain and educate the child; and 4. The best interest of the child will be promoted by the adoption and that the child is suitable for adoption. (b) In the judgment, the name of the child shall be changed to conform with the prayer of the petition. The judgment and all orders required to be entered and recorded in the order book, including the caption, shall contain only the names of the petitioners and the proposed adopted name of the child, without any reference to its former name or the names of its birth parents. (2) (a) Upon entry of the judgment of adoption, from and after the date of the filing of the petition, the child shall be: 1. Deemed the child of petitioners; and 2. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, for all legal considerations, the natural child of the parents adopting it the same as if born of their bodies. (b) For purposes of inheritance and succession, the child shall only be deemed the child of the petitioners if the child was adopted and resided in the household of the petitioners prior to eighteen (18) years of age. (c) Upon granting an adoption, all legal relationship between the adopted child and the biological parents shall be terminated except the relationship of a biological parent who is the spouse of an adoptive parent. (3) The clerk of the court shall notify the cabinet of any action of the court with respect to entering a judgment granting an adoption, the amendment of an adoption, or the denial or dismissal of a petition for adoption. (4) (a) The cabinet or other child-placing agency shall provide to the adoptive parents and the Circuit Court, in writing, on a standardized form provided by the cabinet, the health history and other nonidentifying background information of biological parents and blood relatives of the adopted person to the extent known, not later than the date of finalization of the adoption proceedings. This information shall include the results of any tests for HIV or hepatitis A, B, and C; and (b) The information provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection, if known, shall, upon the request in person or in writing of the adult adopted person, be made available in writing to that person. The information shall not be made available if it would identify the biological parents of the adopted person, except as provided in KRS 199.570 and 199.572. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 134, sec. 31, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 166, sec. 2, effective June 24, 2003. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 432, sec. 1, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 242, sec. 8, effective July 15, 1994. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 43, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 16, sec. 5, effective July 13, 1984. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 121, sec. 3. -- Amended 1956 Ky. Acts ch. 157, sec. 14, effective February 27, 1956. -- Created 1950 Ky. Acts ch. 125, sec. 15.