Adopting a child can be an extremely fulfilling experience for couples and individuals looking to start or extend their families. With some research and the right professional guidance, adopting isn’t as difficult as it may seem–approximately 120,000 children are successfully adopted in the United States each year, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. If you’d like to start the adoption process but are feeling overwhelmed, below are some common questions and answers about Oklahoma Adoption Services.
What qualifications do I need to legally adopt a child in Oklahoma?
According to Oklahoma law, an adoptive couple or parent must be at least 21 years of age to adopt a child. Furthermore, the adoptive parent or parents must pass criminal background checks and a child abuse registry check. In addition to these basic background checks, a counselor will also examine your household’s finances, employment status and health care access to deem whether or not the environment is safe for a child.
How do I find the right child to adopt?
There are many adoption agencies throughout Oklahoma that work closely with prospective parents to find the child that is right for them. These agencies can be a great help in the sometimes confusing adoption process.
Lilyfield.org is one such agency in Oklahoma with a stellar reputation.
If an adoptive child is placed into my custody, how long until my adoption is legally “official”?
In most cases with Oklahoma Adoption, there is a 6 month “observational” period after a child has been placed in your home. During this time, a court-appointed counselor or adoption agency official will make regular visits to your home to observe you and the child and report back to the court on their findings. If everything goes well, the adoption process can proceed.
How does my adoption finally become legal?
After the 6-month “interlocutory” period of home observation, a judge will issue a final decree of legal adoption if everything has gone according to plan. After this, your adoption agency or lawyer must submit a Certificate of Adoption to the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. After this paperwork is complete, your child will receive an updated birth certificate bearing your name.
The adoption process can be a bit lengthy and time-consuming, but it is well worth it for both the child and the prospective parents. If you have further questions, talk to an attorney or an adoption agency in Oklahoma.
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