The following persons, who desire to adopt any person or persons over 18 years of age, shall file a petition in the Family Court of the county in which any of the petitioner(s) or the person(s) to be adopted resides:

(1) Any person petitioning individually;

(2) A married couple petitioning jointly; or

(3) A nonmarried couple petitioning jointly, provided that they are cohabiting, as that term is defined in §  1512(g) of this title.

27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  951;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  59 Del. Laws, c. 466, §  12;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1;  82 Del. Laws, c. 171, § 2; 

The petition shall state the name, sex and date of birth of the person or persons whose adoption is sought and that the petitioner or petitioners desire to adopt such person or persons. The petition shall be signed by the petitioner or petitioners.

27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  952; 

If the petition complies with the requirements of §§ 951 and 952 of this title, and if the person or persons to be adopted appear in court and consent to the adoption, the Family Court may render a decree ordering the issuance of a certificate of adoption to the petitioner or petitioners. The decree shall state the sex, age and the name by which the person or persons adopted shall thereafter be known.

27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  953;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  1; 

Upon the issuance of the decree of adoption and forever thereafter, all the duties, rights, privileges and obligations recognized by law between parent and child shall exist between the petitioner or petitioners and the person or persons adopted, as fully and to all intents and purposes as if such person or persons were the lawful and natural offspring or issue of the petitioner or petitioners.

27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  954; 

The Clerk of Court shall file the petition and all papers pertaining thereto among the records of the Court, and shall record in the record book in which the record of other adoptions is kept all the proceedings in such case, together with the decree of the Court, which record or a duly certified copy thereof shall be evidence.

27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  955;  57 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2;  62 Del. Laws, c. 402, §  2; 

The costs shall be taxed by the Court on the petitioner or petitioners.

27 Del. Laws, c. 263, §§  1-3;  Code 1915, §  3067;  Code 1935, §  3553;  13 Del. C. 1953, §  956;