Adoption Fee and Policy Changes

From the Office of the Greene County Circuit Clerk: Announcement of Adoption Fee and Policy Change

Due to procedural changes implemented in July 2023 by the Bureau of Vital

Records, The 31st Judicial Circuit, Greene County, will be changing the

Adoption filing fees on January 2, 2024.

Section 453.100 RSMo. provides:

After the entry of the decree of adoption, the clerk of the court shall

immediately send to the department of health and senior services a

certificate of the decree of adoption, which shall set forth the original

name, the new name, sex, date and place of birth of the person adopted, the

name of his natural parents, if known, the names of the adopting parents,

and any other pertinent facts set forth in the decree of adoption on forms

prescribed and furnished by the state registrar pursuant to section 19.125.

Pursuant to sections 193.125 and 453.100 RSMo., the Greene County clerk

will continue to send a completed Certificate of Decree of Adoption or CDA

(form 580-0915) following an adoption court hearing, but will no longer be

sending any fees with the CDA. The Greene County clerk will provide a

certified copy of the CDA to the petitioner and/or the petitioners’

attorney following the adoption court hearing and the petitioner and/or the

petitioners’ attorney will be responsible for sending the CDA (provided by

the clerk), the application for birth certificate, a self-addressed stamped

envelope and $30 fee ($15 for processing the CDA and $15 for Application

for Birth Certificate (form 580-0641) as required in Section 193.265 RSMo.)

to the Bureau of Vital Records so that the birth certificate can be updated

and mailed to the designee.

The new filing fees shall no longer include the $30 being sent to the

Bureau of Vital records and are as follows:

   ·    Adult Adoption                  178.50

   ·    Recognition of Foreign Adoption 178.50

   ·    1 count petition (including: Foreign, Children’s Division, Step

      parent)   328.50

   ·    2 count petition (including: Agency, Independent)        478.50