Rule 211.Notification to relatives
Ch. XIV: Child Dependency, Neglect and/or Abuse Proceedings · Last amended 2015 · Current through June 1, 2026 · Last verified September 9, 2026
Full Text of Rule 211
Amendment History
Delaware prints each rule’s amendment history as a single “Credits” line naming every order that adopted or amended it. It is reproduced verbatim below.
[Adopted effective April 20, 2015.]
Plain-English Summary
The court determines at a hearing whether DSCYF used due diligence, within 30 days of the child's removal from the home, to identify and notify all grandparents and adult relatives of the child — including any other adult relatives a parent suggests — subject to exceptions for family or domestic violence.
The premise is simple and humane: a child who cannot stay with their parents is usually better off with people they already know. Relatives cannot come forward if they do not know, and 30 days is early enough that a relative can be considered before a placement settles.
Two details do a lot of work. Relatives a parent suggests are expressly included, so the search is not limited to the names in the agency's file. And the exception for family or domestic violence means the rule does not hand a violent relative a map to where the child is.
Notice too that the obligation is checked by a judge at a hearing rather than reported by the agency to itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are relatives notified when a child is removed in Delaware?
The court determines at a hearing whether DSCYF used due diligence within 30 days of the removal to identify and provide notice to all grandparents and adult relatives of the child.
Can a parent suggest relatives to be notified?
Yes. The notification obligation expressly includes any other adult relatives suggested by a parent.
Are there exceptions?
Yes, subject to exceptions due to family or domestic violence.