Children’s Court handles matters pertaining to youth under the age of 18 in the following areas: 

• Adoption (child only)
• Child abuse and neglect
• Delinquency
• Emancipation
• Marriage authorization
• Mental health commitments (adult and child)
• Sealing of juvenile records
• Youthful offender cases.

Child support and child custody matters are heard in the Domestic Relations Division.  The Children’s Court Clerk’s Office processes all petitions filed in Children’s Court cases, collects the filing fees and may provide information about a case in public record proceedings.  In matters which are confidential (adoption of minor and abuse and neglect cases) only the attorney of record may obtain information.  All other requests require Court authorization.

Court employees are prohibited from dispensing legal advice, but will provide information on Court rules and procedures.  Forms for adoption (stepparent), emancipation, caregiver authorization affidavits and sealing juvenile records are available through the Children’s Court Paralegal.  Emancipation and stepparent adoption packets can be found here.

Matters that Children’s Court does NOT handle: