Adoption is a process that requires time, patience, effort and commitment. Serious applicants who have always wanted a child or an addition to their family need to follow certain adoption steps before they can finally say that the child is legally part of their family.
Here are the basic steps that an adopting family should undertake:
1. Adopting families should conduct some initial research about the process of adoption. This will help them become familiar and have a deeper understanding of the process prior to the actual adoption process.
2. Choose an adoption agency. Adopting families are advised to seek professional help and guidance from an adoption agency. Look for several options and choose the agency that meets your expectations. Check if the agency of your choice is licensed and enlisted on the state’s adoption service list.
3. Participate and complete the home study. A home study is beneficial and crucial at the same time, for it helps in determining an adopting family’s potential in receiving a positive review and recommendation from the adoption agency.
4. Search for the child you’ve been wanting. This is done after completion of the home study. The adoption agency can help you select a child from their care or you can ask them to search further through other agencies.
If you have selected a child from a different agency, you may want to ask for information about the child from a case worker. You should, however, give your own information for the placing agency to help you with process.
5. If you have been selected as a qualifying adopting family, confidential information will be given to you through the child’s case worker. The court will determine if you are truly qualified once the biological parents’ parental rights have been terminated.
6. Meet the child and get acquainted. This is important for both parties especially when adopting an older child. Get to know the child personally even if it's just a brief visit.
If visits are permitted by the child’s adoption agency, you will be given an arrangement to meet with him/her legally as the adoption process is underway.
7. Prepare for placement and finalization of the child’s adoption. When the child is ready to live with your family, this is called a placement. The adoption agency’s representative will assist and support you during the first few months of placement. During this period you can file a petition for a legal intent to adopt.
When the adoption process is in its final stage, a court hearing will take place and a judge will finalize the adoption process and, as part of the adoption steps, an amended certificate of birth will be issued.
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