Adoption Forms - Adoption Papers

The Best Adoption Forms Available

U.S. Legal Forms™, Inc. provides the essential legal documents that you need to adopt a child. Get them all in one convenient package. Unlike most free sources, we offer correct and valid legal adoption forms. Free previews are available. All forms are available in Word format.

Featured Adoption Packages

Adoption Packages Use the correct form. Download in Word format...

Select by State Adult Adoption Forms

Other Legal Adoption Forms and Guides Adoption Legal Forms


Adoption - How to Legally Adopt Adoption Legal

Introduction Legal Adoption

Adoption is a process by which a person becomes the legal guardian of a child. The process of adoption results in terminating parental rights of birth parents. After the adoption process, the adoptive parent will have the rights and responsibilities of a parent.

Generally, adoption laws are state-specific, and to adopt a child, one must meet the qualifications under the laws of his/her state. Adoption laws differ substantially from state to state. While some states prohibit adoption by minors, others specifically provide for adult adoption.

Types of Adoption Stepparent Adoption Forms

Common forms of adoption are domestic adoption, open adoption and closed adoption. Domestic adoptions are adoption by caretaker relatives and stepparents. A caretaker relative must be a person who is within the 5th degree of kinship to a child by blood or adoption. In adoption laws, to count a man as a child's father, he must be the legal father. A legal father is a man married to the child's mother when the child was conceived or born.

Relative caretakers like grandparents or step-parents can also become legal parents to a child by the process of adoption. Grandchild adoption gives grandparents all the rights and responsibilities of a parent in the eyes of the law. Stepparent adoption is a process by which a step parent or a new partner of a biological parent becomes the legal parent.

In case of an open adoption, the identifying information of birth parents and adoptive parents are exchanged and there will be interaction between natural parents and the adopted person. However, this is subject to termination by the adoptive parent. Often natural parents and adoptive parents will enter into an agreement pertaining to rights concerning visitation, custody of child and other parental rights. Closed adoption, on the other hand, involves no exchange of personal information. In a closed adoption, the adoptive parent will be unaware of the family history of the adoptee.

For a valid adoption, parental consent to adoption is an essential condition. When a parent provides his/her free unconditional agreement to their child's adoption it is known as placement by consent. There are state specific laws regarding the form and procedure of placement by consent. Some state laws require the consent of the child to be adopted if the child is of a certain age.

How to Adopt Step Parent Adoption Forms

The persons seeking adoption must file a petition for adoption along with an affidavit in the court. The court will conduct a background investigation of the adoptive parent. After the investigation procedure there will be a hearing and the judge will make an adoption order considering the best interest of the child. An order of adoption legally transmits all parental rights and responsibilities and custody from the child's parents to the adoptive parents.

Pet Adoption Adoption Reversal Petition

At present, pet adoption is also gaining popularity. Pet adoption refers to the process of taking guardianship of a pet. When the previous owner of a pet abandons or releases the pet to a shelter or rescue organization, one can take the rights and responsibility of that pet. The main issue involved in pet adoption is whether the new owner can provide a safe, secure and permanent home for the pet. For adopting a pet, one should apply with an adoption form to the shelter or rescue organization. There are many informational websites that help animal lovers to choose the right pet for their family.

Adoption FAQS Printable Adoption Papers

What is adoption? Adoption Paperwork

Adoption is a process by which a parent-child relationship is created between individuals. By adoption, a person becomes the legal guardian of a child. Adoption results in terminating parental rights of birth parents and transferring those rights to the adoptive parents. After the adoption process, the adoptee becomes the legal heir of the adopter.

What are the qualifications to be able to apply for adoption? Apply For Adoption

Adoption laws are state-specific and to adopt a child, one must meet the qualifications under the laws of his/her state. Adoption laws differ substantially from state to state. Adoption by minors is prohibited in some states while, some states specifically provide for adult adoption. Both married and single parents can adopt a child. Further, parenting other children is not a disability for adoption. Generally, a disability does not disqualify a person from adopting a child if s/he can ensure proper care for the child.

Can an adult be adopted? Adult Adoption Petition

In some situations, when a family reunites after a long time without knowing each other, and someone wishes to make their son or daughter legal, they can do so according to US laws filing adoption papers for adults. Adults can be adopted. The procedure is easier compared to the adoption of children because care or ability to provide aren’t factors. There are not so many adult adoption papers out there and most are easy to complete. In many cases, the adult simply has to voluntarily agree to be adopted.

Of course, different states have different requirements. That's why we recommend you contact legal counsel. Adult adoption forms require simple things like the adoptee’s approval and their spouse’s (if any) approval. Despite the simplicity of the process of adult adoption papers, the court still may reject applications. Please pay attention to the requirements of each state and general laws.

What is open adoption? Petition Adoption Form

Open adoption is a form of adoption in which the identifying information of birth parents and adoptive parents are exchanged and there will be interaction between natural parents and the adopted child. However, this right may be subject to termination by the adoptive parent. Often natural parents and adoptive parents will enter into an agreement pertaining to rights concerning visitation, custody of child and other parental rights.

The opposite form of adoption is closed adoption. In a closed adoption, there will not be any exchange of personal information and the adoptive parent will be unaware of the family history of the adoptee.

Can a relative caretaker become legal parent to a child? Adopt An Adult

Yes, relative caretakers like grandparents or step-parents can also become legal parents to a child by the process of adoption. Adoption by caretaker relatives and stepparents is known as domestic adoption. Grandchild adoption gives grandparents all the rights and responsibilities of a parent in the eyes of the law. Stepparent adoption is a process by which step parent or new partner of a biological parent becomes legal parent. Under adoption laws, to count a man as a child's father, he must be the legal father. A legal father is a man married to the child's mother when the child was conceived or born.

Can you explain how to adopt a child? Adoption Forms Online

The persons seeking to adopt must file a petition for adoption along with an affidavit in the court. The court will conduct a background investigation of the adoptive parent. After the investigative procedure, there will be a hearing and the judge will pass an adoption order in the best interests of the child. An order of adoption legally transmits all parental rights and responsibilities and custody from the child's parents to the adoptive parents.

For a valid adoption, parental consent to adoption is an essential condition. Free, unconditional agreement of the parent of a child to that child's adoption is known as placement by consent. Many state laws have provisions regarding the form and procedure of placement by consent. Some state laws require the consent of the adoptee child if the child has reached a certain age.

What is a pet adoption? Do It Yourself Adoption

Pet adoption refers to the process of taking guardianship of a pet. When the previous owner of a pet abandons or releases the pet to a shelter or rescue organization one can take the rights and responsibility of that pet. Those seeking pet adoption should apply with an adoption form to the shelter or rescue organization.

How to file adoption papers myself? Washington State Adult Adoption

In most cases, there are no requirements for using an attorney to ask for adoption. You can find printable adoption papers available on the internet: they will save you time and help prepare everything accurately.

In general, a step-by-step adoption procedure looks like this:

  • Someone files a petition for adoption along with an affidavit in the court. The court conducts a background investigation of the want-to-be adoptive parent. The judge during the hearing passes an adoption order in the interests of the child.
  • The order legally transmits all parental rights and responsibilities and custody to the adoptive parents from the biological parents.
  • To recognize the adoption as valid, parental consent to it is an essential condition. Free, unconditional agreement of the child's parent to that child's adoption is called placement by consent and must be included in the adoption documents package.

Where can I find accurate printable adoption papers? How To Start Adoption Process

There are a lot of free printable adoption papers available on the internet. Some of the adoption forms can be found on official websites. Unfortunately, they often are out of date and don't include all the required fillable fields, actual lists of attachments or have wrong requisites. That can cause significant problems for people who need to adopt children quickly but don't have the capability to hire attorneys. In this situation, if you need to complete forms (for step-parent adoption, domestic, open or closed, whatever), consider using US Legal Forms’s website to get official up-to-date documents. Our library is one of the biggest and the most accurate, where every template is checked and updated by a professional state-certified lawyer. Using our service is the fastest and most affordable way to get the paperwork needed for adopting a child in the United States.


Adoption Package Consent Adoption Letter

This information package contains summaries of state laws and links to resources to assist a prospective parent with an adoption. Purchase of this package is a savings of more than 50% over purchase of the informational documents individually!

Adoption Package

The following forms are included in this package:

  • Who May Adopt, Be Adopted, or Place a Child for Adoption
  • Standby Guardianship
  • Placement of Children With Relatives
  • Court Jurisdiction and Venue for Adoption Petitions
  • Consent to Adoption
  • The Rights of Presumed (Putative) Fathers
  • Online Resources for State Child Welfare Law and Policy

Relative Caretaker Legal Documents Package Stepparent Adoption Forms South Carolina

Get Relative Caretaker Legal Documents Package for your state

The package includes:

  • Placement of Children With Relatives
  • The Rights of Presumed (Putative) Fathers
  • Disclosure of Confidential Child Abuse and Neglect Records
  • Grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights
  • Power of Attorney for the Care and Custody of Child

Tips for Preparing Adoption Forms

Adoption involves a long and sophisticated legal process. Skipped steps or errors in adoption documents can cause serious problems. To prevent that from occurring, you should be well prepared prior to starting this process.

Actions for preparing Adoption Forms:

  1. Learn about the adoption laws in your state. Every state has its own rules and procedures. Examine them carefully prior to officially starting the process.
  2. Verify whether you meet the eligibility requirements of your state. Taking responsibility for someone is not sufficient. There's a list of environmental, residency, marital, and financial circumstances for caretakers that are considered by the court.
  3. Make sure you meet health requirements. Any psychiatric problems or persistent medical problems may result in the court's refusal to give you custody.
  4. Follow all the background verification procedures in your state. If you or your partner have an arrest background, make a written statement explaining the situation. Also, you and your family must meet child abuse prevention demands.
  5. Find and purchase templates for Adoption Forms in the US Legal Forms library. We offer packages of adoption forms as well as separate templates grouped by state. To obtain them, you need to have an account with a valid subscription.
  6. Complete the documents. Carefully double check your responses several times to make sure you have provided all the essential information and haven't made any errors.
  7. Find a qualified attorney before applying for child or adult adoption. Consulting with a specialist will help you better prepare your papers and meet all the formalities before your court hearing.