Adoption Steps

Home study process:Every state requires a home study process, which is a series of interviews and home visits intended to evaluate the suitability of the adoptive parent or family, educate and prepare prospective parent(s), and appropriately place adoptees in the proper environment.

Locate a child available for adoption:While licensed adoption agencies may be your best source of adoption information, you can also volunteer to be a foster parent through a charity or government organization.

Adoption court procedures:All adoptions must be handled and approved by an adoption court to provide proper notice for all parties and ensure that all the legal requirements are met. In just about every adoption court proceeding, the court judge will follow the "best interests of the child" standard when deciding whether to approve the adoption.

Types of Adoption

While agency adoptions are the norm, you may also have the option of an independent adoption. International adoptions and open adoptions, where adoptive parents meet and possibly stay in touch with birth parents, can carry added regulations and restrictions.

Changes may occur in this area of law. The information provided is brought to you as a public service, and is intended to help you better understand the law in general. It is not intended to be legal advice regarding your particular problem or substitute for the advice of a lawyer.

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