The Motion for Order of Notice (DCF-2010)  shall be used for a parent or guardian whose current identity or address is unknown. 

The motion seeks the court’s permission to place a legal advertisement in a daily newspaper in the locality of the parent or guardian’s last known address for purposes of notifying the missing parent or guardian of the pending petition.  

This motion requires the name and address of a newspaper and a proposed date of publication, and shall be signed by the Program Supervisor, as the duly authorized agent of the Commissioner.  

An affidavit of diligent search must be filed with a motion for order of notice. 

The original and one copy of the motion and diligent search affidavit shall be sent to the court, and copies shall be sent to all attorneys in the case, if any. A copy shall be filed in the legal section of the child’s Uniform Case Record. 

Publication shall not be made until the court grants the motion. 

The Social Worker shall obtain a certified copy of the legal advertisement with an affidavit of publication and shall return it to the court. The judge cannot make a finding of adequate notice to the parent or guardian without these documents. 

A separate motion is filed for each parent with an unknown address. 

The Motion for Notice by Certified Mail (DCF-2011) shall be used when a parent or guardian resides at a known address out of state or out of this country.  The motion seeks the court’s permission to serve a petition on a parent through certified mail. 

The Program Supervisor shall sign and date the motion as the duly authorized agent of the Department. 

If the motion is granted, the motion and petition are delivered to a Judicial Marshal for delivery via Certified Mail. The Judicial Marshal returns the Return Receipt Requested card (green card) to the court or to the Social Worker. 

If the green card is returned to the Social Worker, s/he must promptly deliver it to the court. The green card is used by the judge to determine whether or not the parent or guardian received adequate notice of the case. It shall be filed in the court record.