Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-103 (2026)

Prior adoptions and terminations of parental rights involving minors and prior adoptions of adults ratified

✓ current as of May 2026

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(a) All proceedings for the adoption of children in the courts of this state, including any proceedings that terminated parental or guardianship rights, are hereby validated and confirmed and the orders and judgments entered therein prior to January 1, 1996, are declared to be binding upon all parties to the proceedings and such parties' privies and all other persons, until such orders or judgments shall be vacated as provided by law; provided, that this section does not apply to adoption proceedings or terminations of parental rights proceedings actually pending on January 1, 1996, in which the validity of a prior adoption or termination of parental rights proceeding is at issue.

(b) Adoptions and terminations of parental rights pending on January 1, 1996, and surrenders and consents executed prior to January 1, 1996, shall be governed by prior existing law.

(c) All adoptions of persons who are adults as of January 1, 1996, that were completed before January 1, 1996, in the courts of this state, pursuant to the then-existing provisions of this part, are hereby in all things ratified and confirmed.

(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, surrenders taken and adoptions filed on or after January 1, 1996, and before October 1, 1996, which complied with the prior adoption law that was in effect on December 31, 1995, are in all things ratified and confirmed and shall be valid and lawful; provided, that this section does not apply to adoption proceedings or terminations of parental rights proceedings actually pending on January 1, 1996, in which the validity of a prior adoption or termination of parental rights proceeding is at issue. It is the intent of the general assembly to prevent any declaration of invalidity of any surrenders or adoptions taken or filed on or after January 1, 1996, and before October 1, 1996, for failure to properly comply with the provisions of chapter 532 of the Public Acts of 1995, which took effect on January 1, 1996, and which amended prior adoption law and procedures. This section is remedial legislation and shall have retrospective effect in order to promote the public welfare and to preserve the permanency of adoptive placements for children.

Acts 1965, ch. 152, § 1; T.C.A., § 36-138; Acts 1978, ch. 704, § 2; T.C.A., § 36-139; § 36-1-138; Acts 1995, ch. 532, § 1; 1996, ch. 1054, § 105.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 7 cases, 1998–2020 · leading case: In Re Swanson, 2 S.W.3d 180 (Tenn. 1999).

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In Re Swanson, 2 S.W.3d 180 (Tenn. 1999). · cites it 2× “See Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-1-103(b) ("Adoptions and terminations of parental rights pending on January 1, 1996, and surrenders and consents executed prior to January 1, 1996, shall be governed by prior existing law.”

In Re the Adoption of E.N.R., 42 S.W.3d 26 (Tenn. 2001). “§ 36-1 — 118(g)(6) and § 36-1-103(c)(2). His challenge is, therefore, waived except to the extent that the statutes are dearly or blatantly unconstitutional.”

Tennessee Baptist Child.'s Homes, Inc. v. Swanson, 2 S.W.3d 180 (Tenn. 1999). · cites it 2× “See Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-1-103(b) (“Adoptions and terminations of parental rights pending on January 1, 1996, and surrenders and consents executed pri- or to January 1,1996, shall be governed by prior existing law.”

In Re Ljc, 124 S.W.3d 609 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 2× “The petition alleged that under T.C.A. §§ 36-1-103(1)(A)( l ) and 36-6-113(g)(1) father had willfully abandoned the children and failed to pay any child support.”

In Re Hector G. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 2× “2 Section 36-1-103 concerns prior adoptions and terminations.”

State of Tennessee, ex rel., Deborah D. Willis v. Cecil Willis, Jr. (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “On May 22, 1997, the date of the revocation order, T.C.A. § 36-1-103(b) (1966) provided: Adoptions and terminations of parental rights pending on January 1, 1996, and surrenders and consents executed prior to January 1, 1996, shall be governed by prior existing law.”

In re: Brittany Swanson, a minor (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “” T.C.A. § 36-1-103(b) states that “[a]doptions and terminations of parental rights pending on January 1, 1996, .”

— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-103(1)(A) — 1 case

In Re Ljc, 124 S.W.3d 609 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2003). “The petition alleged that under T.C.A. §§ 36-1-103(1)(A)( l ) and 36-6-113(g)(1) father had willfully abandoned the children and failed to pay any child support.”

— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-103(b) — 4 cases

In Re Swanson, 2 S.W.3d 180 (Tenn. 1999). “See Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-1-103(b) ("Adoptions and terminations of parental rights pending on January 1, 1996, and surrenders and consents executed prior to January 1, 1996, shall be governed by prior existing law.”

Tennessee Baptist Child.'s Homes, Inc. v. Swanson, 2 S.W.3d 180 (Tenn. 1999). “See Tenn.Code Ann. § 36-1-103(b) (“Adoptions and terminations of parental rights pending on January 1, 1996, and surrenders and consents executed pri- or to January 1,1996, shall be governed by prior existing law.”

State of Tennessee, ex rel., Deborah D. Willis v. Cecil Willis, Jr. (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998). “On May 22, 1997, the date of the revocation order, T.C.A. § 36-1-103(b) (1966) provided: Adoptions and terminations of parental rights pending on January 1, 1996, and surrenders and consents executed prior to January 1, 1996, shall be governed by prior existing law.”

In re: Brittany Swanson, a minor (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998). “” T.C.A. § 36-1-103(b) states that “[a]doptions and terminations of parental rights pending on January 1, 1996, .”

— Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-1-103(c)(2) — 1 case

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