Adoption Legalities: What You Need to Know Before Adopting

Children are truly a source of happiness in the home. But for some families or couples who don't have children, the best option is to adopt a child to complete the family they've always wanted. However, there are adoption legalities that families or couples should take into consideration before finally deciding to adopt.

Adopting parents or families should first consider the responsibility that involves in caring for a child. For families with existing child/children, they should involve everyone in the family in terms of responsibility, acceptance of the new member of their family and the environment that they will create and offer to the adopted child.

Application for legally adopting a child is the first step. The court will then decide if the adopting parents will be granted this request for adoption. The court will base its decision if the biological parents have given up their rights to their child or if these rights have been terminated by the court.

Once the court has terminated the rights of the biological parents and no further claims have been given, the adopting parents can now finalize their application process. The judge in charge of the hearing will deliberate the case as part of the finalization process.

The current status of the adopting family/parents will be deliberated during the court hearing as part of the finalization process. Home studies, reports and recommendations from case workers are also very important during this stage of the process.

The child and his/her case worker, the adopting parents/family and their attorney, the biological parents and their attorney and case worker, and the adopting parents’/family’s case worker are the key persons who should be present during the finalization of the adoption process. The judge can ask either or all of the key persons during the hearing to help him in his final decision.

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 he/she will be issued an amended certificate of birth that will bear the last name of the adopting parents.

All pertinent documents including the original certificate of birth 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 need not be rich and famous to adopt, but you need to be prepared and can afford to support the needs of the child. There is no perfect family or parents; but a loving, nurturing and caring home are the most important factors on top of the requirements of adoption legalities.