Family Court Order Document

Special Adoption Court Orders and Records

The following are documents related to special adoption;

What Is Listed in the Court Order Document

• Case number
• Permanent domicile, place of residence, and date of birth at the time of the court hearing
• Outline of the case
• Reasons the judge approved the special adoption
• Results of family court officer investigation

What Is Listed in the Investigation Report

• Progress of the investigation (Who/what is to be investigated, the location/methods of the investigation, etc.)
• List of relevant parties
• Background behind motion
• Circumstances of would-be adoptive parents
• Interviews with those who will become the adoptive parents
• Home visits to those who will become the adoptive parents
• Circumstances of the child to be adopted
• Circumstances and intentions of birth parents
• Progress and results of trial placement
• Opinions of family court officer

Records Other Than Investigation Report

• Investigation commission response document from the Child Guidance Center
• Investigation commission response document from private mediation agency
• Other

Viewing and Copying of Records

The court that applies for the viewing/copying is the family court with jurisdiction over the adoptive parents’ place of residence at the time of the court hearing. The viewing/copying of records is allowed if an application is filed and approved (Article 47, Domestic Relations Case Procedure Act). The viewing/copying of some records may be denied (partially blacked out) if there is a risk that it may infringe on the privacy or reputation of the biological parents or other related parties.

How to Apply

Once you have identified the court where you will need to apply, call and inquire about the application process. It may take several days after you apply for you to be able to view/copy the documents, as this requires the approval of the judge. When approval is granted, head to the court. Alternatively, you can ask the Japan Judicial Association or similar organization to copy the records and mail the copies to you.
Reference（JP）　法務省「家事事件に関するその他の手続