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Rhode Island Adoption Laws

Adopting a child can be a complex process. State laws govern the adoption process, including rules for who may adopt. This article will discuss Rhode Island adoption laws, including who may get adopted, who may adopt, and other important statutory requirements in the state of Rhode Island.

Types of Adoption in Rhode Island

Rhode Island offers a variety of adoption options. Each is designed to meet specific needs while ensuring the best interests of the children involved. Here are the main types of adoption available in the state:

  • Domestic adoption: Involves adopting infants or older children within Rhode Island through licensed adoption agencies or attorneys.
  • Foster care adoption: Provides permanent homes to children in Rhode Island's foster care system who need adoption. This often happens through foster parents who want to become adoptive parents.
  • Stepparent adoption: Allows a spouse to legally adopt their partner's biological child, solidifying familial bonds within blended families.
  • Open adoption: Allows ongoing contact between adoptive families and birth parents, promoting transparency and maintaining relationships that benefit the adopted child.
  • International adoption: Enables families to adopt children from other countries, navigating both U.S. and foreign adoption laws to bring them home to Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Adoption Laws at a Glance

The following table lists more details of Rhode Island's adoption laws. See FindLaw's Adoption section for more articles and resources.

Code section

§ 15-7-2, et seq. of the Rhode Island General Laws

Who may be adopted

Any person

Age that child's consent needed

14 years of age and older

Who may adopt

Adults over 18 may adopt any person younger than themselves. The spouse must join the married petitioner. The rule may get waived if the adoption would be in the child's best interests. Nonresidents may petition under certain circumstances.

Home residency required before finalization of adoption?

6 months, but the court may waive for good cause

State agency/court

Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)/Family Court (Probate Court for adult adoptions)

Statute of limitations to challenge

180 days

Note: State laws may change at any time through the decisions of higher courts, the enactment of new legislation, and other means. You may want to contact a Rhode Island adoption attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state laws you are researching.

The Rhode Island Adoption Process

Navigating adoption in Rhode Island involves several critical steps to ensure child welfare and support for prospective families:

  1. Orientation and information. Prospective parents attend sessions hosted by DCYF or licensed agencies to learn about adoption.
  2. Home study. A licensed social worker conducts criminal background checks, interviews, and home visits to assess parents' suitability.
  3. Placement of child. Families get matched with children through licensed child-placing agencies. DCYF oversees this for foster or agency adoptions.
  4. Pre-placement. Visits before child placement to ease gradual acclimatization.
  5. Legal process. Finalizing adoption requires an adoption petition, termination of parental rights, and court approval, ending with a decree of adoption.
  6. Post-adoption. Support services aid family transitions, offering counseling and resources for adoptees and their new families. These steps ensure a thorough and legally sound adoption process in Rhode Island. A new birth certificate is issued for the adoptee.

This process helps establish permanent familial bonds.

Rhode Island Adoption Laws: Related Resources

Get Legal Help With an Adoption

The adoption process can be intimidating for prospective adoptive parents. There are many state and federal laws that govern adoption. An attorney can help you navigate these laws. They will help review your case, provide helpful legal advice, and advocate for you and your future child.

To start the process, reach out to an experienced Rhode Island adoption attorney today.

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