# Utah Code § 81-13-102: Venue for an adoption proceeding

> Utah · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_102

## Section

- **Citation:** Utah Code § 81-13-102
- **Heading:** Venue for an adoption proceeding
- **Jurisdiction:** Utah
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Utah Code / Title 81 / Chapter 81-13 / § 81-13-102

## Text

(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: (a) in the judicial district where the prospective adoptive parent resides; (b) if the prospective adoptive parent is not a resident of this state, in the judicial district where: (i) the adoptee was born; (ii) the adoptee resides on the day on which the petition is filed; or (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 (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) 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) (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. (b) The notice may not include the name of: (i) a prospective adoptive parent; or (ii) an unmarried birth mother without the unmarried birth mother's consent. (4) (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. (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) Computation of periods of time not otherwise described in this section shall be made in accordance with the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.

## Nearby sections

- [Utah Code § 81-13-101 § 81-13-101. Definitions for chapter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_101.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-102 § 81-13-102. Venue for an adoption proceeding.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_102.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-103 § 81-13-103. Court hearings -- Adoption documents -- Motion to intervene.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_103.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-104 § 81-13-104. Responsibility for own actions -- Fraud or misrepresentation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_104.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-105 § 81-13-105. Adoption order from foreign country.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_105.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-106 § 81-13-106. Compact for Interstate Sharing of Putative Father Registry Information -- Severability clause.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_106.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-201 § 81-13-201. Definitions for part.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_201.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-202 § 81-13-202. Legislative findings -- Best interest of the minor child -- Interests of each party.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_202.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-203 § 81-13-203. Who may adopt -- Adoption of a minor child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_203.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-204 § 81-13-204. Petition for adoption of a minor child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_204.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-205 § 81-13-205. Petition to terminate parental rights of a minor child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_205.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-206 § 81-13-206. Determination of rights in an adoption proceeding for a minor child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_206.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-207 § 81-13-207. Notice of an adoption proceeding for a minor child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_207.md)
- [Utah Code § 81-13-208 § 81-13-208. Prebirth notice to birth father of intent to place a minor child for adoption.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_208.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_UT_T81_S81_13_102. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.