District Of Columbia § 4-1451.05 - Parental rights.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 4-1451.05 — Parental rights., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 4-1451.05. Parental rights.
4-1451.05Notwithstanding [(b) repealed], there shall be no 72-hour waiting period prior to relinquishment of parental rights under this chapter. A relinquishment of parental rights shall take place upon surrender. Upon CFSA’s receipt of the statement required by and assuming physical custody, CFSA shall assume immediate care, custody, and control of the surrendered newborn.
A relinquishment of parental rights under this chapter may be revoked and parental rights restored in accordance with and (d); provided, that:
The parent agrees to genetic testing to establish maternity or paternity;
The genetic test establishes that the surrendering parent is the biological parent of the newborn; and
A risk assessment is conducted to determine if a further investigation is necessary or that the family needs to be referred for support services and is so referred.
A relinquishment of parental rights and any revocation of the relinquishment shall be recorded and filed by CFSA in a properly sealed file in the Family Court of the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, along with a copy of the statement required by , within 20 days after the expiration of the 14-day revocation period in .
The seal of the relinquishment file shall not be broken except for good cause shown and upon the written order of a judge.
No later than 90 days after surrender, CFSA shall attempt to identify, locate, and notify the non-surrendering parent by performing a missing-child search and publishing notice of the surrender of the newborn in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.
The notice required by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall, at a minimum, include:
In regard to the surrender, the:
Place;
Date; and
Time;
In regard to the newborn, the:
Sex;
Race;
Approximate age;
Any identifying marks; and
Any other identifying information CFSA considers necessary; and
A statement that the non-surrendering parent’s failure to notify CFSA, or other contact as set forth in the notice, of the intent to exercise his or her parental rights and responsibilities within 20 days of publication of this notice shall be deemed to be the non-surrendering parent’s irrevocable consent to the termination of all parental rights and his or her irrevocable waiver of any right to notice of, or opportunity to participate in, any termination of parental rights proceeding involving the surrendered newborn.
The court may grant a petition for adoption without consent following relinquishment of parental rights and the termination of parental rights pursuant to this section and .
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 4-1451.05
What does D.C. Code § 4-1451.05 cover?
Section 4-1451.05 ("Parental rights.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 4-1451.05?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 4-1451.05" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 4-1451.05 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.