Adoption Law: What To
Do Before You Adopt a Child

An additional adoption law to the ones I have mentioned in a previous article, is to apply to legally adopt a child.

At this time the courts will make a decision as to whether the adopting parents will be awarded their request for adoption. The decision is based on whether the natural parents have relinquished their rights to their child or whether the courts have terminated the parent’s rights to the child.

Once all claims to the child have been terminated the adopting parents can then complete the process. The judge in charge of the hearing will deliberate the case as part of the finalization process.

Also as part of the finalization process, the present status of the adopting parents/family will be considered during the court hearing. Home studies, reports and recommendations from caseworkers are also very important during this stage of the process.

The child and their case worker, the adopting family/parents, their attorney and case worker, and the natural parents, their case worker and attorney are the key people who will be present during the finalization of the adoption process. The judge will ask either or all of the key people during the hearing to help him in his final decision.

Amending the Birth Certificate

Once the decision is final and the adoption is approved, the judge will then issue an Adoption Decree. The child's name can be legally changed and they will be issued an amended birth certificate that will bear the last name of the adopting parents.

All documents related to the matter at hand, including the original birth certificate will be sealed as per law. These sealed documents will be kept by the state for record keeping and all parties are off limits to it.

One does not need to be rich and famous to adopt a child, but you will need to be prepared and you will need to be able to afford to support the needs of the child. There is no perfect parents or family; but a loving, caring and nurturing home are extremely important factors in addition to the requirements of any adoption law.

Return from Adoption Law to Adoption Laws

Return from Adoption Law to Children for Adoption