If you and your partner are planning to adopt soon, learning about the process can give you an idea of what to expect. This may also help you prepare and confidently move forward in growing your family.
Selecting a type of adoption
At the start, you and your partner will have to decide on the type of adoption you would like to pursue. In Ohio, some of the available options include: adopting from public foster care, working with private agencies and pursuing independent adoptions.
Attending training sessions
Adoption agencies require prospective parents to attend training sessions. These courses will cover materials and topics related to child nurturing, handling trauma and the legal rights and responsibilities of adoptive parents.
Completing a home study and background checks
After the training sessions, the agency will assign a qualified assessor to conduct a home study. Expect background checks on you, your spouse and other adults living in the household, if any. Additionally, this step includes home safety evaluations and interviews to further gauge your readiness to adopt a child.
Fulfilling postplacement requirements
Once the assessor provides positive feedback on the home study, the agency will place the adoptee in your home for a post-placement study. During this period, which typically lasts for six months, an assigned assessor will visit your home monthly to check if the child is adjusting well to your family.
If the post-placement study goes well, you can proceed with filing a petition to adopt the child. Once the court approves, you will receive a decree of adoption and you can move on to securing your child’s new birth certificate.
Starting your journey as adoptive parents
This overview of the adoption process is different from what could happen in real life. It is possible to encounter challenges that could delay the adoption process, which may bring stress to your household.
Before you start fostering, consider consulting with a family law attorney to get a full grasp on the matter. They can walk you through the requirements and provide tips on handling the procedure from start to finish.