Section 2.15 Petition

• Library: Adoption Law and Practice 2014 Supp

A. (§2.15) Petition

The first and most fundamental pleading in an adoption is the petition for adoption. The filing of a proper petition is jurisdictional. Adoption of McKinzie, 275 S.W.2d 365 (Mo. App. S.D. 1955). The petition should disclose the identity of the petitioning parties, but by specific court order and for good cause shown, the names and addresses of the petitioners may be masked before obtaining service of process. See §2.9, supra. Essential elements to be included in the petition are specified in § 453.020, RSMo 2000, which requires that the petition state:

· the name of the person sought to be adopted and his or her sex and place of birth;

· the name of the adoptee’s parents if the petitioner has that knowledge;

· if the adoptee is a...