The Cornell University Law School states that adoption legally establishes guardianship between a child and one or more adults. Each state has laws governing the adoption process that are based on the federal Uniform Adoption Act. The process ensures the child is adopted into a suitable home and that information is shared among the relevant parties. Whether you adopt through an agency or interaction with an attorney, each step must be completed before the courts will finalize the adoption.
State Law
Before you contact an adoption agency or individual about adopting, understand the adoption laws in your state. The Child Welfare Information Gateway provides a way to search for information by state. Use the link in the Resources section to access the website, select your state and then select an adoption topic. You will receive information on the types of evaluations that are required during the adoption process.
Adoption Petition
To begin the legal adoption process in some states, you must file an adoption petition with the courts. The petition sets in motion a series of evaluations determining the petitioning couple’s suitability and gathers information on the child and birth parents for sharing with the adoptive parents.
In other states, the evaluations are completed prior to filing the petition.
Preparation Classes
Some states require that adoptive parents attend adoption preparation classes. Class content helps prospective parents understand the legal adoption process and the emotional impact of adoption, and can help adoptive parents prepare for the home placement study.
Home Placement Study
A home placement study is a multi-step assessment of the adoptive parent’s suitability. According to the Administration for Children and Families, a social worker visits the adoptive couple on several occasions, gaining autobiographical information. At your home, the social worker will evaluate the space available for a new child and the home’s general safety standards. He will also ask for references and will speak with them, as well.
Some states require that adoptive parents undergo a physical examination by a doctor. Your financial circumstances will be evaluated to ensure you can manage the added expense of a child, and both parents are subject to a criminal records check.
Adoptive Child Assessment
Social workers complete an assessment of the child to be adopted to ensure the family is suitable for the child, and that the adoptive parents can prepare for special needs or circumstances surrounding the child. The assessment will cover the child’s physical and mental health, the status of birth parents and any siblings, and an evaluation of the long-term effects of abuse on the child’s development needs.
Birth Parent Information
Most states require that information about the birth parents be provided to the adopting parents. Information on medical background, mental health, genetic disorders and drug or alcohol dependence can help the adoptive parents prepare for health challenges the child might face. Other information, such as physical descriptions, religious background, education levels, talents and work history, might be required by the state, as well.
