(A) In order to expedite and bring finality to petitions for adoptions brought under OCGA § 19-8-4, a Superior Court judge should conduct a final hearing as provided in OCGA § 19-8-14(e) and (f) on a petition for adoption pursuant to OCGA § 19-8-4 within fifteen days of receipt by the judge of certification by the petitioner or petitioner’s counsel that all statutory requirements are complete. In the event the judge is unable to conduct the hearing within fifteen days, the hearing should be conducted as soon thereafter as possible. (B) In order to expedite the hearing of an uncontested adoption, a judge may, with the consent of the petitioner or petitioner’s counsel, conduct a final hearing in any county in the judge’s circuit regardless of the county in which the petition was filed. (C) The required certification shall state as follows: I certify that all statutory requirements for the grant of this adoption have been met and the matter is ready to be heard. The undersigned consents to the judge hearing this matter in any county of the circuit.
