Section 5C. All petitions for adoption, all reports submitted thereunder and all pleadings, papers or documents filed in connection therewith, docket entries in the permanent docket and record books shall not be available for inspection, unless a judge of probate of the county where such records are kept, for good cause shown, shall otherwise order. Such petitions, reports, pleadings, papers, documents and permanent docket and record books shall be segregated. A separate permanent docket book shall be provided for all such entries. This section shall apply to the index of the court of all such entries, a separate index of which shall be provided.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Title III - Domestic Relations
Chapter 210 - Adoption of Children and Change of Names
Section 1 - Nature of Adoption; District or Juvenile Court
Section 2 - Written Consent of Certain Persons; Form of Consent; Identification of Father
Section 2a - Decree of Adoption; Entry; Conditions Precedent
Section 2b - Adoption Decrees; Mandatory Language
Section 3 - Dispensing With Required Consent in Certain Cases
Section 3b - Registration of Interest for Pre-Adoptive or Adoptive Placement; Criminal Record Review
Section 4a - Fathers of Children Born Out of Wedlock; Adoption Rights
Section 5 - Failure to Object After Notice; Proceedings
Section 5a - Children Under Fourteen; Adoption; Regulations; Removals
Section 5b - Adoptive Custody; Factors Considered; Request for Religious Designation
Section 5c - Inspection of Pleadings, Reports, etc.; Docket Book
Section 5d - Release of Information Concerning Adoption
Section 5e - Department of Children and Families Adoption Report
Section 6 - Decree of Court; Force and Effect; Private Hearings
Section 6a - Certificates of Adoption
Section 6b - Adoption Nunc Pro Tunc
Section 6c - Agreement for Post-Adoption Contact or Communication
Section 6d - Enforcement of Agreement
Section 6e - Decisions of Adoptive Parent on Behalf of Child
Section 9 - Succession to Property; Right of Child Adopted in Foreign State
Section 10 - Second Adoption; Effect
Section 11a - Adoption Services Offered by Certain Persons or Agencies; Penalty
Section 12 - Petitions for Change of Name
Section 13 - Notice and Certificate; Decree; Entry; Conditions Precedent