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Checklist: Documents to Show your Adoption Attorney


The adoption process involves gathering many official documents, completing many forms, and making numerous copies. These documents may be requested by your attorney or by the adoption agency you are using. The following list includes many of the documents that you may need to obtain or complete in order to get your adoption in motion.

Documents to Gather for Your Adoption Attorney

  • Certified copies of the birth certificate(s) of the adoptive parent(s)
  • Certified copy of marriage certificate, if applicable
  • Certified copy of divorce decree(s), if applicable
  • Doctor's physical examination form(s)
  • Statement from a health insurance company that the adopted child will be covered upon placement
  • Criminal background check release forms and reports
  • Social service agency release forms and reports
  • Local police department letters/reports of good standing
  • Passports
  • Immigration and Naturalization Service forms
  • Letters of reference
  • Home study

Get Professional Legal Help With an Adoption


The process of adoption can be complex and have several legal obstacles. An attorney can provide you with valuable, real-life information about what the process is like in your state. If you are just starting the adoption process, you should seek legal counsel from an experienced family law attorney who specializes in adoption.

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