17.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where, on the joint application of the parents or guardian of the child and an adoption agency, an authorised court is satisfied in the case of each parent or guardian that he freely, and with full understanding of what is involved, agrees generally and unconditionally to the making of an adoption order the court shall make an order declaring the child free for adoption.
(2) Where, on an application for an order under paragraph (1) in relation to a child, the mother of the child satisfies the court that her spouse is not the father of the child, the court may make the order on the joint application of the mother and the adoption agency.
(3) On the making of an order under paragraph (1), the parental rights and duties relating to the child vest in the adoption agency, and paragraphs (2) and (3) of Article 12 apply as if the order were an adoption order and the agency were the adopters.
(4) Agreement by the mother of the child is ineffective for the purposes of this Article if given less than 6 weeks after the child’s birth.
(5) Before making an order under paragraph (1), the court shall satisfy itself, in relation to each parent or guardian of the child who can be found, that he has been given an opportunity of making, if he so wishes, a declaration that he prefers not to be involved in future questions concerning the adoption of the child; and any such declaration shall be recorded by the court.
(6) Before making an adoption order or an order under paragraph (1) in the case of an illegitimate child whose father is not his guardian, the court shall satisfy itself that all reasonable steps have been taken to identify the father of the child and that he has been given notice of, and the opportunity of appearing at, the proceedings.