1. (1) Notwithstanding Title 78B, Chapter 3a, Venue for Civil Actions, a person shall bring an adoption proceeding in a court with jurisdiction under Title 78A, Judiciary and Judicial Administration:

   1. (a) in the judicial district where the prospective adoptive parent resides;

   2. (b) if the prospective adoptive parent is not a resident of this state, in the judicial district where:

      1. (i) the adoptee was born;
      2. (ii) the adoptee resides on the day on which the petition is filed; or
      3. (iii) a parent of the proposed adoptee resides on the day on which the petition is filed if the proposed adoptee is a minor child; or
   3. (c) if the adoption proceeding is brought in the juvenile court, as described in Subsection 78A-6-103(2)(a)(xiv) or (xv), in accordance with Section 78A-6-350.
2. (2) All orders, decrees, agreements, and notices in an adoption proceeding shall be filed with the clerk of the court where the adoption proceeding is commenced under Subsection (1).

3. (3)

   1. (a) If a person whose consent for the adoption is required under Section 81-13-212 or 81-13-213 cannot be found within the state, the fact of the adoptee's presence within the state shall confer jurisdiction on the court in proceedings under this chapter as to such absent person if due notice has been given in accordance with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.

   2. (b) The notice may not include the name of:

      1. (i) a prospective adoptive parent; or
      2. (ii) an unmarried birth mother without the unmarried birth mother's consent.

4. (4)

   1. (a) In the case of service outside the state, service completed not less than five days before the time set in the notice for appearance of the person served is sufficient to confer jurisdiction.
   2. (b) Service of notice described in Subsection (4)(a) shall vest the court with jurisdiction over the person served in the same manner and to the same extent as if the person served was served personally within the state.
5. (5) Computation of periods of time not otherwise described in this section shall be made in accordance with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 426, 2025 General Session