Connecticut Adoption Laws

Adoption is a legal process, primarily governed by state laws, to expand or grow your family. If you or your family want to adopt a minor child, you should know your state's adoption laws. Understanding your state's adoption laws will help you throughout the adoption process. These laws apply to different types of adoption, including stepparent adoption or adopting a person over 18 years of age.

This FindLaw article briefly summarizes adoption laws in the State of Connecticut.

Understanding The Adoption Process

Although each adoption is specific to the adoptive family and their home state, all adoptions have standard elements — for example, the parties. Most adoptions include the birth parents, the adoptee, and the adoptive parents. This is true even if the adoptee is in foster care. During most adoption proceedings, the court must terminate the biological parent's parental rights. This clears the way to change the child's birth certificate.

Adoption Process Steps

One of the first steps in the adoption process is to find a child to adopt. Many prospective adoptive parents use the services of an adoption agency to match them with an eligible child. They can also go through their local Department of Children and Families to adopt a foster child. In Connecticut, prospective adoptive parents should contact the Connecticut Department of Children and Families for state-specific adoption resources, including support groups.

The next step for the child-placing agency is to conduct a background check and home study to help ensure a good fit for the potential adoptee. Once you have found a prospective adoptee, you will likely start the legal process by filing an adoption agreement. In Connecticut, the adoption agreement is like an adoption petition. Both are legal documents that trigger the legal process. Connecticut children 12 and older must consent to their adoption by signing the adoption agreement.

Adoption Agreement

You can only permanently adopt a child once a court determines that the adoption is in the best interests of the child. Once the court makes this determination, the next step is terminating parental rights. In some scenarios, the birth parents will voluntarily relinquish their parental rights. In other scenarios, the birth mother or birth father may refuse to terminate their rights. In these scenarios, the court may terminate their rights after a hearing.

Adoptive Parent Requirements

Prospective adoptive parents in Connecticut must be at least 21 years old, and marital status is not restricted. They should also have enough income to raise a child and a home with at least two bedrooms.

Adoption Costs

You can adopt a child out of foster care for free in Connecticut. Adoption agencies typically charge between $20,000 and $45,00 for their adoption services. Prospective adoptive parents can't pay for more than $1,500 in living expenses for the birth mother in Connecticut.

Adoption Statutes in Connecticut

Each state has its adoption laws. Below are some of the highlights of Connecticut adoption laws from Chapter 803 of the Connecticut General Statutes. These statutes cover the following:

Note: State laws are constantly changing — conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Related Resources for Connecticut Adoption Laws

The applicable state law can vary greatly depending on the circumstances of your adoption. You can review specific statutes in FindLaw's adoption law section.

Get Legal Help

Adoption is a complicated legal process. An adoption attorney can help you navigate the complex laws governing adoptions and the adoption process. Speak to a qualified Connecticut adoption attorney today.