Exactly how does adoption work? Here’s our adoption timeline:
1. Considering adoption.
New York residents may choose either a private or a private agency adoption. Adoption Choices of New York can assist you in making this decision. Your choice will determine which services Adoption Choices of New York provides and the fees involved.
2. Adoption Home Study
Adoption Choices of New York will conduct your home study. Do not begin a home study with a private social worker or other agency until you speak to Adoption Choices of New York. If you are using a non-Adoption Choices home study, clearances and other documents will need to be completed or updated.
3. New York Court Certification.
This is a legal process through your local Family or Surrogates court if you are pursuing a private adoption. Adoption Choices of New York can recommend a New York adoption attorney to assist in the process, if you do not yet have one.
4. Networking
Families pursuing a private adoption typically locate an expectant parent or a child through word of mouth, the Internet, or hard-copy networking. Families wishing to use Adoption Choices as their matching/placement agency to help locate an infant for adoption create Adoption Profile Book and website for Adoption Choices to show to expectant mothers working with the agency.
5. Relationship of Expectant and Prospective Adoptive Parents
With the help of your attorney or agency staff, and after careful consideration of the options, you will establish a unique relationship with the amount of openness that is right for your family. This relationship may shift based on the needs of the child as they grow and those of expectant/birth and adoptive family members.
6. Birth and Placement
Whether or not you are present for the birth of your child, in most instances, an infant is placed with the adopting parents upon discharge from the hospital.
7. Interstate Placement on the Placement of Children (ICPC)
Located in every state, this administrative office reviews the adoption process and provides approval for you to return to your home state with your child. You are required to remain in the state of your child’s birth until you receive approval from that state and your home state, which typically takes up to 10 business days.
8. Post Placement Supervision
Interviews and home visits with all family members assess a family’s adjustment after placement. The reports are provided to attorneys, agencies, state offices (ICPC) and the court for finalization. The duration and number of visits varies from state to state.
9. Finalization
This is the court process which legalizes the parent/child relationship. Your adoption agency or attorney will inform you if you will finalize the adoption in New York or the state in which your child was born. After the adoption decree is entered into the court record, a new birth certificate is issued with your name(s) replacing those of the birth parents.
10. Lifecycle – Parenting
While the legal adoption process ends with the finalization, the complexities of being an adoptive family continue. While most days you will be dealing with normal parenting issues, issues may arise in the coming years. For those who have completed a homestudy or post placement supervisory visit with Adoption Choices, resources and referrals are available throughout the years to come.
