{"id":374857,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:56","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-adoption-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-15T11:48:04","modified_gmt":"2024-10-15T16:48:04","slug":"new-hampshire-adoption-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-adoption-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Hampshire 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\">New Hampshire 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\/natalie-moritz\/\">Natalie Moritz<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/laura-temme-esq\/\">Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            October 15, 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>New Hampshire state laws regulate the&nbsp;adoption process. This includes restrictions and requirements for adults who wish to adopt a child (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/adult-adoption-laws.html\">or an adult<\/a>, in some cases).<\/p>\r\n<p>New Hampshire law allows eligible adults to adopt a child needing a permanent home. This article gives an overview of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption.html\">adoption laws<\/a> in the state of New Hampshire.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Private vs. Public Adoption in New Hampshire<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services \u2014 Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) oversees <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/the-different-types-of-adoption.html\">public agency adoptions<\/a> in the state. DCYF requires prospective parents to first get licensed as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhhs.nh.gov\/programs-services\/child-protection-juvenile-justice\/becoming-foster-parent\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">foster parents<\/a> before they can adopt. They also need an adoptive child to live in your home for at least six months before finalizing an adoption.<\/p>\r\n<p>Adoptive parents can also pursue private adoption services through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhhs.nh.gov\/programs-services\/child-protection-juvenile-justice\/adoption\/adoption-through-private-agencies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">several licensed agencies<\/a>. Other types of adoptions serviced by these agencies include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Domestic private agency adoption<\/li>\r\n<li>International adoptions<\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/independent-adoption.html\">Independent adoption<\/a> (where birth parents can agree to adopt their child directly to the adoptive parents without using an adoption agency or adoption professional)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Public adoptions are generally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/costs-of-adopting-fact-sheet-for-families.html\">less expensive<\/a> than private adoptions. But they may involve longer waiting periods and more rigorous screening.<\/p>\r\n<p>Because private adoptions involve direct agreements between the birth parents and adoptive parents, they can offer more flexibility. Parties generally <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/get-legal-help-with-adoption.html\">use an attorney<\/a> instead of an adoption agency to help with private adoptions.<\/p>\r\n<p>For public adoptions, DYCF requires prospective adoptive parents to complete the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adoptnh.org\/adopt-through-dcyf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">following steps before adopting<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Pass a criminal background check<\/li>\r\n<li>Pass a child abuse and neglect history check<\/li>\r\n<li>Prove sufficient income to support living expenses for the adoptive child<\/li>\r\n<li>Prove good physical and mental health through a medical screening<\/li>\r\n<li>Submit information for at least five references<\/li>\r\n<li>Pass local fire and home safety inspections<\/li>\r\n<li>Complete preservice training (although this isn&#8217;t needed for all adoptions)<\/li>\r\n<li>Meet other necessary requirements<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>DYCF requires an adoptee to live in your home for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhhs.nh.gov\/programs-services\/child-protection-juvenile-justice\/adoption\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">at least six months<\/a> before finalizing the adoption.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Eligibility Requirements for Prospective Adoptive Parents in New Hampshire<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/casetext.com\/statute\/new-hampshire-revised-statutes\/title-12-public-safety-and-welfare\/chapter-170-b-adoption\/section-170-b4-who-may-adopt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Eligible adults<\/a> who are at least 18 can adopt in New Hampshire. This includes:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Two adults together<\/li>\r\n<li>An unmarried adult<\/li>\r\n<li>The unmarried parent of the adoptee<\/li>\r\n<li>An unmarried adult, with the agreement of at least one of the adoptee&#8217;s parents, to share parenting with one of the adoptee&#8217;s parents<\/li>\r\n<li>Parents of a child conceived via <a href=\"https:\/\/casetext.com\/statute\/new-hampshire-revised-statutes\/title-12-public-safety-and-welfare\/chapter-168-b-parentage\/section-168-b1-definitions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">assisted reproduction<\/a>, to confirm the legal relationship between child and parent<\/li>\r\n<li>A married adult without their spouse joining as a petitioner, if the adoptee is not the petitioner&#8217;s spouse and <a href=\"https:\/\/casetext.com\/statute\/new-hampshire-revised-statutes\/title-12-public-safety-and-welfare\/chapter-170-b-adoption\/section-170-b4-who-may-adopt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">other criteria<\/a> are met (as often the case with stepparent adoptions)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Eligible adults do not have to have other children to qualify for adoption.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/casetext.com\/statute\/new-hampshire-revised-statutes\/title-12-public-safety-and-welfare\/chapter-170-b-adoption\/section-170-b3-who-may-be-adopted-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Children 14 or older<\/a> must consent to the adoption in most situations.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Birth Parent Expenses for New Hampshire Adoptions<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Adoptive parents must also pay certain birth parent expenses. These are the costs incurred by the birth mother or birth parents during the adoption process. In New Hampshire, <a href=\"https:\/\/casetext.com\/statute\/new-hampshire-revised-statutes\/title-12-public-safety-and-welfare\/chapter-170-b-adoption\/section-170-b13-payment-of-birth-parent-expenses-penalty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">birth parent expenses<\/a> include reasonable costs for:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Counseling, medical, and legal fees<\/li>\r\n<li>Reasonable expenses for transportation, meals, clothing, and lodging<\/li>\r\n<li>Adoption services expenses<\/li>\r\n<li>Certain living expenses needed to maintain an acceptable standard of living if the birth mother can&#8217;t maintain because of loss of income due to pregnancy or delivery<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Payments for living expenses can&#8217;t continue for more than six weeks following the child&#8217;s birth.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>New Hampshire Home Study Process<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>New Hampshire requires a home visit or home study process before finalizing an adoption decree. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/the-adoption-home-study-process.html\">home study<\/a> serves as a transition period for both the child and adoptive parents. This is important to help adoptive families adjust to the new arrangement and ensure the child is in a nurturing environment.<\/p>\r\n<p>Social workers from child-placing agencies perform the home study. Prospective parents can expect the study to assess several areas of their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.childwelfare.gov\/resources\/home-study-requirements-prospective-parents-domestic-adoption-new-hampshire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">home and family life<\/a>. It entails joint and individual interviews with the applicants and other household members. The interview may ask personal, sensitive questions about infertility and the applicants&#8217; reasons for adoption.<\/p>\r\n<p>The home study part of your adoption process can cost up to $3,000. But it is not required for every adoption. For example, a home study may not be necessary for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/stepparent-adoption-faq-s.html\">stepparent or relative adoptions<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>New Hampshire Adoption Laws: At a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The following table lists more details of adoption laws in New Hampshire.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Code section<\/th>\r\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/casetext.com\/statute\/new-hampshire-revised-statutes\/title-12-public-safety-and-welfare\/chapter-170-b-adoption\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>RSA 170-B et seq<\/u><\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Who may be adopted<\/th>\r\n<td>Any person<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Age that child&#8217;s consent needed<\/th>\r\n<td>14 and older, unless the court determines that it is not in the best interests of the adoptee to require assent<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Who may adopt<\/th>\r\n<td>Any person 18 or older may petition to adopt any other person except their spouse. Failure to join a spouse to petition must be excused (unless other spouse is parent of person to be adopted and consents to adoption).<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Home residency required before finalization of adoption?<\/th>\r\n<td>Six months<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">State agency\/court<\/th>\r\n<td>Department of Health and Human Services\/probate court<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Statute of limitations to challenge<\/th>\r\n<td>One year<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i>Note:&nbsp;State laws are always subject to change with the enactment of newly signed legislation, decisions from higher courts, and other means. A&nbsp;<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/new-hampshire?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><u>New Hampshire adoption attorney<\/u><\/i><\/a><i> can help you understand how these laws apply to your unique circumstances.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Adoption Laws: Related Resources and Information<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-hampshire-law\/new-hampshire-family-laws.html\">New Hampshire Family Laws<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/how-to-adopt.html\">How To Adopt<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/types-of-adoption.html\">Types of Adoption<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/foster-care\/foster-care-overview.html\">Foster Care Overview<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhhs.nh.gov\/programs-services\/child-protection-juvenile-justice\/adoption\/post-adoption-support\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Post-Adoption Support for New Hampshire Families<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>Considering Adoption? Get Legal Help<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The adoption process can be emotionally challenging and confusing. It also involves significant legal paperwork. If you&#8217;re overwhelmed with the paperwork and procedures, an attorney can help. An experienced attorney can guide you through adoption proceedings and help you understand parental rights and responsibilities.<\/p>\r\n<p>Contact a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/new-hampshire?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Hampshire adoption attorney<\/a> to learn how they can help you and your expanding family.<\/p>\r\n<p>You can also visit FindLaw&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption.html\">Adoption<\/a> and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/adoption\/adoption-laws.html\">Adoption Laws<\/a> sections for more adoption information, FAQs, and resources.<\/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      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<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thinking of adopting in New Hampshire? 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