Part 3.800 · Adoption

Rule 3.800. Applicable Rules; Interested Parties; Indian Child

Amended January 28, 2026 (current) Contains Deadlines

(A) Generally. Except as modified by the rules in this chapter, adoption proceedings, are governed by Michigan Court Rules.

(B) Interested Parties.

(1) The persons interested in various adoption proceedings, including proceedings involving an Indian child, are as provided by MCL 710.24a except as otherwise provided in subrules (2) and (3).

(2) If the court knows or has reason to know the adoptee is an Indian child, in addition to subrule (B)(1), the persons interested are the Indian child’s tribe and the Indian custodian, if any, and, if the Indian child’s parent or Indian custodian, or tribe, is unknown, the Secretary of the Interior.

(3) The interested persons in a petition to terminate the rights of the noncustodial parent pursuant to MCL 710.51(6) are:

(a) the petitioner;

(b) the adoptee, if over 14 years of age;

(c) the noncustodial parent; and

(d) if the court knows or has reason to know the adoptee is an Indian child, the Indian child’s tribe and the Indian custodian, if any, and, if the Indian child’s parent or Indian custodian, or tribe, is unknown, the Secretary of the Interior.