Adoption Forms and Information by State
By Melissa McCall, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq. | Last reviewed September 26, 2024
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The path to a successful adoption starts by learning how adoption works in your state. Adoption is a legal process regulated by state law, and as with most legal processes, there are many forms and intricacies.
In an adoption, the biological parents give up their parental rights to the adoptive parents. Before the adoptive parents can become the legal parents of the adopted child, a court must issue a decree of adoption. Each state has its forms to complete during the process.
This article details the different stages of the adoption process. It also includes links to adoption forms and resources for each state. Find your state in the list at the end the article to get started.
You can also check with the law library at the local court for additional information. Many courts have self-help centers for family court issues.
Understanding the Adoption Process
State laws regulate adoptions. So, adoption laws will vary by state. But there is a standard structure for the adoption process. After prospective adoptive parents decide the type of adoption to pursue, there are three parts to the adoption process.
The three parts are:
- Pre-adoption
- Adoption process
- Post-adoption
Type of Adoption
Almost all adoptions begin with someone who wants to expand their family through adoption. Single people can adopt. Married couples can adopt. Same-sex couples can adopt.
Once a family decides to adopt, it must choose a type of adoption. The family can choose a private adoption or a public adoption.
In a private adoption, the birth parents choose their child's new parents. Even if a private agency is involved in a private adoption, both parties should have legal representation. Public adoptions are typically facilitated by government agencies and involve children in the foster care system.
Married couples with a stepchild can choose a stepparent adoption. Unmarried couples can choose a second-parent adoption. Grandparents can adopt their grandchild under certain circumstances. This is also called a kinship adoption.
Adult adoptions are a different choice that does not include a minor child. A stepparent, for example, can adopt an adult stepchild. Parental consent is not necessary for an adult adoptee.
In all circumstances, an adoption is incomplete without a decree of adoption. This document finalizes the adoption.
Pre-Adoption
There are steps before prospective adoptive parents start the adoption process. They should check their state’s adoption laws to ensure they are qualified to adopt and seek legal advice from an experienced family law attorney.
In many states, prospective adoptive parents must be at least 18 years of age. In other states, they must be 21 years of age. If the prospective parents are married, they must adopt the child jointly.
During the pre-adoption stage, prospective parents should research and determine the type of adoption they want to pursue. Parents will select an adoption agency to help them if necessary.
Private adoption agencies match available children with prospective parents. Public adoption agencies manage the adoption of children in foster care. Independent adoptions sometimes use an agency. A private lawyer may help with independent adoptions.
Adoption Home Study
Before prospective parents can look for a child, they must complete a home study. A home study is a vetting process that includes:
- Background checks
- Evidence of good health
- Financial statements
- A home visit
- An interview
- Recommendations and references
If the agency needs more information, it will tell the prospective parents. Social workers compile this information into a report. Public and private agencies use home study reports to make suitable adoptive matches.
The Adoption Process
Once the home study is completed, the prospective parents can look for a child to adopt. Some state agencies have websites with profiles of children available for adoption. Some birth parents use child-placing agencies, and others choose independent adoption.
In all cases, the natural parents' parental rights must end before the adoption is complete. Some biological parents give up their rights. In other cases, the court terminates their legal rights after a hearing.
The adoption process begins with filing a petition for adoption in family court. The clerk of court will update the court's docket to include a new case. During the adoption proceedings, the court decides if the adoption is in the child's best interests.
If the court finds the adoption is in the child's best interests, the court will issue an order of adoption. This order finalizes the adoption. The adoptive parents are now the legal parents of the adopted child.
Post-Adoption and Birth Certificates
After the court issues the decree of adoption, adoptive parents can order a new birth certificate from their local Department of Vital Records.
The new birth certificate will include several name changes and differences from the original birth certificate. The adoptive parent's names replace the birth parent's names on the birth record. The adoptive parents can change the child's name as well. The adoptive parents should request a certified copy for their records.
Once the court proceedings are over and the adoption finalized, the adoptive parents are the legal parent of the child.
In most states, the adoption records are then sealed to the public. Only adopted children, birth parents, and adoptive parents may ask a court to unseal adoption records. A court order to unseal these records is granted if there is good cause. For example, if the adopted child needs to access the records for medical reasons.
Get Legal Help With an Adoption in Your State
The adoption process is complex, even with the correct state forms and access to various resources. Legal advice from a qualified family law attorney with adoption experience can ease this process. Contract a family law attorney in your area today to learn how they can support you with your adoption.
State Adoption Forms
Below, you will find links to state agencies, adoption forms, and resources. At the end, you can find a brief list of national adoption resources.
Alabama
- Request for a Pre-Adoption or Other Birth Certificate from an Alabama Sealed File [PDF]
- Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics
- Adoption Inquiry Form Department of Human Resources
- Birth Parent Application to Place Information in a Sealed File
- Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statistics
- Introduction to Adoption (Alabama Department of Human Resources)
- Adoption FAQs (Alabama Department of Human Resources)
- Adoption Information (Alabama Department of Public Health)
Alaska
- Adoption & Guardianship (Office of Children's Services)
- Alaska Waiting Children | Adoption Tips (Northwest Adoption Exchange)
- Alaska Center for Resource Families and Adoption Support Services Center
Arizona
- Adoption Forms (Arizona Dept. of Child Safety)
- Adoption Information (Arizona Dept. of Child Safety)
- The Children's Heart Gallery (Arizona Department of Child Safety)
Arkansas
- Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services
- Arkansas Heart Gallery (Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services)
California
- Adoption (The Judicial Branch of California)
- More from California Courts Adoption Forms and Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions About Adoption (California Dept. of Social Services)
- Adoption Services (California Dept. of Social Services)
- California Kids Connection (working with the California Department of Social Services and Family Builders)
Colorado
- Kinship Forms
- Validation of Foreign Adoption Instructions & Forms
- More Adoption Forms From Colorado State Judiciary
- Relinquishment & Adoption Brochure [PDF] (Colorado State Judiciary)
- Adopt Colorado Kids (Colorado Kids Belong)
- Raise the Future
Connecticut
- Adoption
- Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families
- Petition/Termination Parental Rights [PDF]
- Connecticut Superior Court for Juvenile Matters
- Connecticut Foster Care & Adoption (Connecticut Department of Children and Families)
- Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families
Delaware
- Adoption Instruction Packet (Delaware Courts)
- Adoption (Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families)
District of Columbia
- Adoption Forms (D.C. Courts)
- Child and Family Services Agency
- Adoption Fact Sheet (Child and Family Services Agency)
- Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent (D.C. Child and Family Services Agency)
- Overview of Washington, D.C., Adoption Law (Adoptions Together)
Florida
- Stepparent Adoption: Consent and Waiver by Parent
- Stepparent Adoption: Consent of Adoptee
- Joint Petition for Adoption by Stepparent
- Petition for Adoption Information
- More Florida Supreme Court Family Forms
- Explore Adoption (Florida Department of Children and Families)
- Adoption In Florida (The Florida Bar)
Georgia
- General Overview of the Adoption Process
- Atlanta Wednesday's Child (Georgia Division of Family & Children Services)
- It's My Turn Now Inc. (a public-private partnership with the Georgia Department of Human Services)
Hawai'i
- Court Forms (Hawaii State Judiciary)
- Adoption Procedures and Forms (Hawaii Judiciary)
- Foster and Adoptive Care (Hawaii Department of Human Services)
Idaho
- CPA-Related Adoption
- More from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- About Adoption through Foster Care (Idaho Department of Health and Welfare)
- Idaho Wednesday's Child (working with Idaho Department of Health and Welfare)
Illinois
- Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption (Cook County)
- Affidavit in Support of Petition to Adopt (Cook County)
- Adopting a Child (Illinois Legal Aid Online)
- Adoption (Illinois Department of Children and Family Services)
Indiana
- Adoption Program Application
- More Department of Child Services Forms
- More from Indiana Archives and Records Administration
- Indiana Adoption Program (Indiana Department of Child Services)
- Adoption FAQs (Indiana Department of Child Services)
- Adoption Information - The Legal Process (Indiana State Department of Child Services)
Iowa
- General Overview of Foster Care and Adoption
- Additional Resources for Adoption (Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association)
Kansas
- Adoption Forms
- Adoption Search | Adoption Search Brochure (Kansas Children's Service League)
- Adoption Program (Kansas Dept. for Children and Families)
Kentucky
- Appearance Waiver and Consent to Adoption
- Adoption Services Branch (Cabinet for Health and Family Services)
- More from Kentucky Court of Justice (Kentucky Court System)
- Kentucky Adoption Coalition
- Kentucky Adoption (Commonwealth of Kentucky)
Louisiana
- More from the Department of Children & Family Services
- How to Adopt (AdoptUSKids)
- Louisiana Heart Gallery
Maine
- Adoption Reunion Registry Application
- General Information Page About Adoption & Fostering (Department of Health & Human Services)
- How to Become a Resource or Adoptive Parent (Maine Department of Health and Human Services)
Maryland
- Certificate of Adoption
- General Adoption Information (Maryland Department of Human Services)
- Adoption & Foster Care Services (Maryland Department of Human Services)
Massachusetts
- File for Adoption
- Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange
- Adoption (Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services)
- Becoming a Foster Parent (Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services)
Michigan
- General Information About Adoption (Michigan Court System)
- Adoption Forms
- Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange
Minnesota
- Consent of Parent to Adoption and Waiver of Notice of Adoption Hearing
- Stepparent Adoption Forms (Uncontested)
- More Minnesota Adoption Forms
- Answers to Your Questions about Adoption (Minnesota Department of Human Services)
- Adoption (Dakota County Probate Division)
- Foster Adopt Minnesota
- Meet the Kids (Foster Adopt Minnesota)
Mississippi
- General Information (Mississippi Dept. of Child Protection Services)
- Mississippi Heart Gallery (Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services)
Missouri
- Adoption Home Assessment Application
- More from the Missouri Department of Social Services
- Missouri Adoption Services (Missouri Department of Social Services)
- Missouri Heart Gallery (Missouri Department of Social Services)
- Adoption pamphlet (Missouri Legal Services)
Montana
- Montana Adoption: Information and Forms
- Adoption in Montana (Department of Public Health and Human Services)
Nebraska
- Adoption Forms (Nebraska Judicial Branch)
- More from the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
- Children Available for Adoption (Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services)
- Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parents Association
Nevada
- Adoptee Application
- Birth Parent Application
- General Information Page About Adoption (Department of Child and Family Services)
- Guide to Adoption in Nevada - Post Adoption Services (Nevada Division of Child & Family Services)
- Guide to Adoption in Nevada - Adoption Exchanges: Locating Families for Special Needs Children (Nevada Division of Child & Family Services)
New Hampshire
- Petition for Adoption
- More from New Hampshire Judicial Branch
- New Hampshire Adoption (New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services)
- N.H. Adoption Help Center
New Jersey
- Inquiry Form (Department of Children and Families)
- More from the Department of Children and Families
- The Path to Adoption (New Jersey Department of Children and Families)
- New Jersey Adoption Resource Clearinghouse (New Jersey Department of Human Services and the Division of Youth and Family Services)
- Adoption Registry (New Jersey Department of Children and Families)
- Foster and Adoptive Family Services
New Mexico
- Inquire About Becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent
- More from New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department
- New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department
- New Mexico Heart Gallery
New York
- Adoption Forms
- More from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services
- General Information About Adoption (New York Court System)
- The Adoption Process (Office of Children and Family Services)
- Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent (New York City Administration for Children's Services)
North Carolina
- Adoption Forms (Follow the Link to DHHS Site for Access to All North Carolina Government Forms)
- General Information About Adoption (North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services)
- Meet the Children (N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services)
North Dakota
- Search/Disclosure Request
- Official Portal for Accessing All Government Forms, Including Adoption Forms
- Adoption Services (The Village Family Service Center of North Dakota)
- Adoption Program (North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services)
Ohio
- Adoption Forms (The Supreme Court of Ohio & The Ohio Judicial System)
- Ohio Adoption (Ohio Department of Job and Family Services)
- Ohio Office of Families and Children
Oklahoma
- Adoption Information (Oklahoma Department of Human Services)
- Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption? (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
Oregon
- Adoption File Face Sheet
- Genetic and Medical History of Child and Biological Family
- Adoption Report
- More from the Oregon Department of Human Services
- Oregon's Waiting Children (Northwest Adoption Exchange)
Pennsylvania
- Adoptee Medical History Request Form
- Birth Parent Medical History Registration Form
- Request for Adoption Information
- More from Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange
- Adoption Branch Information Packet (Family Court of Philadelphia)
- Three Rivers Adoption Council
Rhode Island
- Adoption Petition
- Report of Adoption
- More from Rhode Island Judiciary
- Adoption - How Do I Go About It? (Rhode Island Bar Association)
- Adoption Placement (Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families)
- Adoption Rhode Island
South Carolina
- Forms and Brochures (South Carolina Dept. of Social Services)
- Certificate of Adoption
- Adoption (South Carolina Department of Social Services)
- South Carolina Foster Care and Adoption Guidelines (AdoptUSKids)
South Dakota
- Mandatory Reporting Form for All Adoption Cases
- More South Dakota Department of Social Services
- Adoption Services (South Dakota Department of Social Services)
- South Dakota Foster Care and Adoption Guidelines (AdoptUSKids)
Tennessee
- Adoption Affidavit to Establish Financial Ability (Specific to Shelby County)
- General Information Page (Tennessee Department of Child's Services)
- Application for Report of Foreign Birth
- Adoption FAQ (Tennessee Department of Children's Services)
- Heart Gallery of Tennessee
Texas
- Certificate of Adoption
- Adoption Forms (Navigate to the section of the page on adoption)
- More forms from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- Adoption (Texas Department of Family and Protective Services)
- Texas Adoption Resource Exchange
Utah
- Report of Adoption
- General Information Page (Utah Court System)
- Registration of an Adoption Order From a Foreign County
- Utah DCFS (Utah Division of Child and Family Services)
- Adoption (Utah State Courts)
- Utah Foster Care and Adoption Guidelines (AdoptUSKids)
Vermont
- Adoption (Vermont Judiciary)
- More from Vermont Judiciary
- Adoption & Foster Care (Vermont Department for Children and Families)
- Adopt a Child in DCF Custody (Vermont Department for Children and Families)
Virginia
- Adoption Inquiry Form
- Virginia Department of Social Services Forms
- Adoption (Virginia Department of Social Services)
Washington
- General Information Page on Adoption (Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families—no forms provided by the state)
- Steps to Adopt (Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families)
- Considering Adoption (Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families)
West Virginia
- Adoption Interest Form
- Adoption/Foster Parents (West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources)
- FAQs (West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources)
Wisconsin
- Petition for Minor Child Adoption
- Petition for Adult Adoption
- Adoption in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families)
- Adoption Assistance (Wisconsin Department of Children and Families)
Wyoming
- Adoption Forms (Wyoming Department of Health)
- General Information Page (Wyoming Department of Family Services)
- Adoption (Wyoming Dept. of Family Services)
- Children's Gallery (The Adoption Exchange)
National Adoption Resources
- Adoption (Child Welfare Information Gateway)
- AdoptUSkids (Working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
- Finding a Fit that Will Last a Lifetime: A Guide to Connecting Adoptive Families with Waiting Children [PDF]
- The Cherokee Nation Adoption Services
- North American Council on Adoptable Children
- MedlinePlus: Parenting (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- It is a good idea to have an attorney for complex adoptions
- An attorney can ensure you meet all legal requirements and that your adoption is finalized appropriately
- An attorney can help protect the best interests of adoptive children, adoptive families, and birth parents
- For simple adoptions, you may be able to do the paperwork on your own or by using an agency
Get tailored advice at any point in the adoption process. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
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Don't Forget About Estate Planning
Adopting a child is an ideal time to create or change your estate planning forms. Take the time to add new beneficiaries to your will and name a guardian for any minor children. Consider creating a financial power of attorney so your agent can pay bills and make sure your children are provided for. A health care directive explains your health care decisions and takes the decision-making burden off your children when they become adults.