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State Adoption Forms

Adoption is a legal process regulated by state law. As with most legal processes, there are many forms to complete during an adoption.

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 briefly overviews the adoption process and links to different state forms. Be sure to use only the forms for your state. 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

The first step of the adoption process is to choose a type of adoption to pursue. Private adoption (also known as independent adoption) is one choice. In a private adoption, the birth parents choose their child's new parents. Even if a private agency is not involved in a private adoption, both parties should have legal representation.

Using an agency is another option. In an agency adoption, an agency matches the adoptive parents with a child. They conduct a home study to vet the parents. Many child-placing agencies help parents throughout the adoption proceedings.

Adoption proceedings begin with a petition for adoption in family court. The clerk of court will update the court's docket to include a new case. 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. 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.

State Forms

Here are links to state agencies and adoption forms:

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

  • Adoption (The Judicial Branch of California)

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawai'i

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

  • Adoption Forms (The Supreme Court of Ohio & The Ohio Judicial System)

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Get Help

The adoption process is complex, even with the correct forms and access to various valuable resources. Seek legal advice from a qualified family law attorney with adoption experience.

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Next Steps

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