{"id":373186,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:14","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-adoption-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-05T15:21:44","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T20:21:44","slug":"indiana-adoption-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-adoption-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Adoption Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Indiana Adoption Laws<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/melissa-mccall-j-d\/\">Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            November 05, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Adoption is a legal process that establishes a parent-child relationship. Once the court finalizes the adoption, you become the legal parent of that child. You have all the rights and responsibilities of being a parent. State laws determine the parameters of adoptions in that state. If you are considering adopting in the State of Indiana, you should understand Indiana&#8217;s adoption laws.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Adoption Criteria for Indiana Adoptions<\/h2>\r\n<p>Each state has criteria that a prospective adoptive family must meet before they can adopt a child in that state. Indiana is no different. In Indiana, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianaadoptionprogram.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana Department of Child Services<\/a> handles adoptions. Prospective adoptive parents in Indiana must meet the following criteria to adopt a child:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Be at least 21 years of age<\/li>\r\n<li>Be single or married, but married couples must adopt jointly<\/li>\r\n<li>Be an Indiana resident (nonresidents can adopt special needs children through The Adoption Program)<\/li>\r\n<li>Have an approved home study<\/li>\r\n<li>Undergo a criminal background check<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Types of Indiana Adoptions<\/h3>\r\n<p>Indiana offers four basic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianaadoptionprogram.org\/adopting-in-indiana\/adoption-types\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">types of adoption<\/a>, including the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Public agency adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Domestic private agency adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>International adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>Independent adoption<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Indiana also grants stepparent adoptions and kinship adoptions.<\/p>\r\n<p>No matter what type of adoption you choose, you must work with licensed child-placing agencies in Indiana. <b>Public agency adoptions<\/b> often involve minor children in foster care. <b>Domestic private agency adoptions<\/b> involve a private child-placing agency. In an <b>international adoption<\/b>, children from a different country are adopted and brought here.<\/p>\r\n<p>In <b>independent adoptions<\/b>, a birth parent (or parents) and the adoptive parents agree to an adoption. They then seek an adoption agency to finalize the adoption. The prospective adoptive parents often pay for the birth mother&#8217;s living expenses during her pregnancy. The birth mother may also invite the prospective adoptive parents to take part in the birth of the child.<\/p>\r\n<p>In <b>stepparent adoptions<\/b>, one spouse adopts their partner&#8217;s child. <b>Kinship adoptions<\/b> involve a close relative adopting the minor child.<\/p>\r\n<h2>The Adoption Process<\/h2>\r\n<p>Before filing a petition for adoption, you must meet all the eligibility criteria and receive all required consents. If any part is lacking, your petition will fail.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Consents<\/h3>\r\n<p>In Indiana, the mother of a child must consent to the adoption. The father of the child must consent if he has either established paternity or signed a paternity affidavit. Biological fathers can establish paternity of the child by registering with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/health\/vital-records\/adoptions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana Putative Father Registry<\/a>. Your adoption professional can check the registry to determine if you need the biological father&#8217;s consent.<\/p>\r\n<p>Depending on the circumstances, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianaadoptionprogram.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Department of Child Services<\/a> may ask the court to terminate the parental rights of the biological parents in place of consent. A prospective adoptee 14 years or older must provide consent. If the Department of Child Services has custody of the child, you will need their consent to proceed with the adoption.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Adoption Petition<\/h3>\r\n<p>Once you have all the required consents, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.in.gov\/dcs\/policies\/child-welfare-policies\/indiana-adoption-assistance-program-forms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">file the petition<\/a> for adoption with the court. In family court matters, courts use the best interests of the child standard. This means they will make decisions consistent with the child&#8217;s best interests.<\/p>\r\n<h3>Adoption Hearings<\/h3>\r\n<p>The court will schedule a hearing to begin the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childwelfare.gov\/resources\/court-jurisdiction-and-venue-adoption-petitions-indiana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">adoption proceedings<\/a>. You will appear in court to make your case, but you must wait at least six months before the court can finalize the child&#8217;s adoption. Indiana law requires a six-month supervisory period before the courts finalize the adoption.<\/p>\r\n<p>At your final court proceeding, the court will approve your petition for adoption if it determines that it is in the child&#8217;s best interests. They will issue a final adoption decree and order a birth certificate if necessary.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Adoption Laws in Indiana<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Below are some of the basic rules surrounding Indiana adoption. See&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/family-laws\/details-on-state-adoption-laws.html\">Details of State Adoption Laws<\/a>&nbsp;to learn more.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p>Indiana Adoption Code Sections<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p><b>Indiana Code<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><u>Title 31 &#8211; Family and Juvenile Law<\/u><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/in\/title-31-family-law-and-juvenile-law\/in-code-sect-31-19-2-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana Code Section 31-19-2-2<\/a> (<i>adoption of minor child; petition; venue; substituting petitioner<\/i>)<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/in\/title-31-family-law-and-juvenile-law\/in-code-sect-31-19-2-6\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana Code Section 31-19-2-6<\/a> (<i>contents of petition; additional documents<\/i>)<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/in\/title-31-family-law-and-juvenile-law\/in-code-sect-31-19-2-7-5\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana Code Section 31-19-2-7.5<\/a> (<i>temporary custody of adopted children<\/i>)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p>Who May Be Adopted<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Any person<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p>Age at Which the Child&#8217;s Consent Is Required<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>14 years and older<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p>Who You May Adopt<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>If married, the spouse must join. The spouse must consent if such a spouse is a natural or adoptive parent.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p>Home Residency Requirement Prior to the Finalization of the Adoption<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Period of supervision within the sole discretion of the court hearing adoption petition<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p>State Agency\/Court<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.childwelfare.gov\/resources\/court-jurisdiction-and-venue-adoption-petitions-indiana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Department of Child Services<\/a>\/Probate (in counties with one)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p>Statute of Limitations to Challenge<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Six months after entry or decree or one year after adoptive parents obtain custody of the child, whichever is later<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i>Note: Indiana state laws change often. Reach out to an <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/indiana\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i>adoption law attorney<\/i><\/a><i> to confirm current Indiana laws.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Get Legal Help<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Although adoption laws promote stability in all adoptions, every adoption is unique. An experienced Indiana adoption attorney can help you navigate the adoption process. They are experts in adoption law and can provide sound legal advice. When it comes to something as serious as adopting a new member of the family, speak to an experienced&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/indiana\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana adoption attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" 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