{"id":351583,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:26","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/adoption\/obtaining-background-information-on-your-prospective-adoptive.html"},"modified":"2023-06-30T13:09:45","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T18:09:45","slug":"obtaining-background-information-on-your-prospective-adoptive","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/obtaining-background-information-on-your-prospective-adoptive.html","title":{"rendered":"Getting Background Information Before Adopting a Child"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Getting Background Information Before Adopting a Child<\/h1>\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Prospective parents should learn about the prospective adoptee before completing the adoption process. Adoption professionals can help prospective parents get vital background information, such as a medical history.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Adoption is forever, but it involves some risk. Prospective adoptive parents open their hearts and home to prospective adoptees. Medical history, social history, and genetic predispositions are vital to investigate.<\/p>\r\n

Getting background history helps prospective parents in a few ways. First, it helps them decide if they have the emotional and financial resources to care for the child. It also helps them prepare for adoption.
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Consider, for example, a child who uses a wheelchair. This information helps the prospective parents prepare their home to accommodate the child. Finally, background history helps determine eligibility for financial help.<\/p>\r\n

This article covers a few reasons why you should get background information. It also covers potential sources of information and how to get background information.<\/p>\r\n

Why Get Background Information Before Adopting?<\/h2>\r\n

Adoption is a legal process, but it involves more than obtaining a new birth certificate. Background information helps adoptive parents prepare for post-adoption issues.<\/p>\r\n

The following are a few reasons why you should investigate a prospective adoptee’s background:<\/p>\r\n