Update on Filing Fees and Pleading Requirements for Adoptions

Please be advised thatpursuant to NJ Court R. 5:10-2, a seperate Complaint for Adoption must be filed for each adoptee in a sibling group.  In addition, pursuant to R. 5:10-12, a separate Judgment of Adoption must be provided for each adoptee. Supporting documentation for a sibling group may be sumitted as one set of documents to support all sibling complaints, but please be sure to have separate pleadings for each adoptee.

Fees:  The fee for each child/adoptee will be $175.00. The Surrogate will no longer be accepting $10.00 for each additional child. Please be sure to enclose $175.00 for each Compaint filed.

For further information, contact the Essex County Surrogates Office at 973-621-4900 or online at NJ Surrogates.