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Legal Grounds for Stepparent Adoption without Consent. Abandonment: If the biological father has willfully abandoned the child for a continuous period of at least six months, the court may consider this as a basis for granting the stepparent adoption without consent.

If the birth parents are married, then both parents must consent to the adoption. If the birth parents are not married, then the mother must consent to the adoption. If the father has had a lot of contact with the child, then his agreement is also required.

Adoption records are sealed at the time of the adoption and are not public. You need a court order to open them. To get a court order, contact the Adoptions Clerk at the Surrogate Court or Family Court in the borough where you think the adoption took place.

Adoption subsidies are monthly maintenance payments (see Glossary: Maintenance Subsidy) that may be available based on the special needs of a child. Adopted children (see Glossary: Adoptive Placement) may also be eligible for the federal Medical Assistance program or for state-funded Medical Subsidy.

Will I need to pay for adoption services? There are no fees when adopting through the City of New York. The homestudy will be prepared without cost to you and financial assistance is often available to cover legal fees.

Submit an application and medical history information, complete a national and state criminal background check, and complete a check by the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. Complete the home study process. Attend agency-sponsored training.