Merge Legal Utah Adoption Forms For Free

A new law, effective November 1, 2021, allows Utah-born adoptees to now get a non-certified copy of their original birth certificate without having to go to court, if the birth parents give permission. (Original birth certificates are sealed when a child is placed for adoption.)

To get started with the process to foster or adopt through the state of Utah, please contact Utah Foster Care. They will refer you to the office closest to where you reside and then arrange for an orientation. Please call 877-505-5437 or visit Utah Foster Care for more information.

Only a party to the adoption proceeding may file a petition to open a court adoption record. A judge must approve the petition before access will be granted. The court may allow access to the entire file or only to certain information.

Adoptions are expensive, with average costs in the range of $20,000 to $50,000 and higher. As an adopted child of parents with very modest means, I can tell you how important it is for the expenses of adopting to be transparent so families can make informed choices.

The final stage of the adoption process is adoption finalization in Utah. Completing this step confirms your child as a legal and permanent part of your family and grants you legal parental rights. Adoption finalization typically occurs at least six months after you've been placed with your child.

Process Time: 4-6 months depending upon country and immigration guidelines. Available Children: 9 months - 16 years depending upon the country. Post Adoption Support: Varies by country and agency. Birth Family Contact: Varies by country and agency.