New Jersey Adoption Laws
By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq. | Last reviewed December 15, 2022
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Laws regulating the adoption process often vary quite a bit from one state to the next, with just a handful of states signing onto the Uniform Adoption Act. Adoption laws regulate who may adopt a child, who may be adopted, and how the procedure unfolds.
Read on to learn about New Jersey adoption laws.
Pre-Adoption Disclosures
Prior to placement, prospective parents in New Jersey will be provided with as much information about the child's development and characteristics as is available. This information typically includes medical history, personality, complete medical histories of the child's birth parents (if available), drugs and medications taken by the birth mother during pregnancy; and any other relevant health issues.
Foster Parenting in New Jersey
In order to become a foster parent (short-term "adoption"), you must be 18 or older, in reasonable health, and you must prove that you can provide the child with a safe home environment. In many ways, the laws surrounding foster care are identical to those regarding adoption.
New Jersey Adoption Laws: The Basics
Obviously, you don't have to be an attorney to adopt a child, but statutes are often written in "legalese" and can be challenging to decipher. In order to better help you understand New Jersey's adoption laws, we've provided a plain-English summary of the main elements of the law below.
| Statutes |
|
|---|---|
| Who May Be Adopted |
|
| Age that Child's Consent Needed | 10 years and older (to be given consideration) |
| Who May Adopt |
|
| Home Residency Required Prior to Finalization of Adoption? | Home Study Process - This is a process that allows New Jersey's Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) agency to learn about the prospective parents, while also helping families learn about adoption and transition into their new role.
|
| State Agency/Court |
|
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
New Jersey Adoption Laws: Related Resources
Looking to Adopt a Child in New Jersey? An Attorney Can Help
Adopting a child is a major life change that should not be entered into lightly. You want to do your research, be prepared for the challenges of parenthood, and get the appropriate level of legal assistance.
If you're embarking on the adoption process, consider speaking with an experienced New Jersey adoption law attorney today.
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