Adoptive parents must first submit to a home study to determine their suitability for adoption. A home study is performed by a licensed social worker or psychologist who looks into the family’s circumstances and background, and assesses whether they are a good fit for the child. The study includes interviews with the prospective parents, their spouses, their extended family, their friends, and other adults that may have knowledge of the home. The social worker is also required to interview the child to determine its needs and wishes.
A formal, detailed report is then written by the social worker, which is then reviewed by the adoption agency and a decision is made about whether to proceed with the adoption. If the agency decides to proceed, then a child can be placed with the prospective adoptive parents. If the agency decides not to proceed, then the social worker completes a “closed file” and the adoption is rejected.
In addition to conducting a home study, agencies are also required to perform a search for a birth mother or father. The child’s mother or father may be in the hospital during the delivery, or in a facility where they cannot be contacted. Or, they may be outside the country. In the case of international adoptions, an agency must also ensure that a birth mother or father has legal custody of the child.
The requirements for adoption vary depending on the age of the child. There are specific age requirements for different types of adoption.
For example, a foster care placement is for children under the age of 12. After that age, there are three types of adoption:
1. Pre-placement adoption – This is a placement in which the birth parent relinquishes the child to the adoptive parents before the child turns 12 years old.
2. Pre-adoption adoption – This is a placement in which the birth parents relinquish the child to the adoptive parents before the child turns 18.
3. Post-placement adoption – This is a placement in which the birth parent relinquishes the child to the adoptive parents after the child turns 12 years old.
There are also specific requirements that must be met in order to adopt a particular age group of children. For example, in order to adopt a child aged 12 and under, the agency must first prove that the biological parents of the child are unfit to raise the child.
The process of adoption can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, depending on the age of the child and the type of adoption. The older the child, the longer it takes to find a birth mother or father. The younger the child, the faster the adoption can occur.
1. The birth parents are not willing to give up the child.
2. The birth parents are unable to provide contact information for the child.
3. The birth parents are not available to meet the needs of the child.
4. The birth parents have not completed the required classes to learn about parenting.
5. The birth parents are physically incapable of caring for the child.
6. The birth parents are mentally incapable of caring for the child.
7. The birth parents are unable to care for the child because of a physical or mental illness.
8. The birth parents are unwilling to give the child up for adoption.
9. The birth parents are abusive or neglectful towards the child.
10. The birth parents have previously had more than one child that was adopted.
11. The birth parents are already in the process of adopting another child.
12. The birth parents have a criminal record.
13. The birth parents have a history of substance abuse.
14. The birth parents have a history of mental illness.
15. The birth parents are unable to provide proof of citizenship.
16. The birth parents have a history of domestic violence.
17. The birth parents are not married to each other.
18. The birth parents are unwilling to consent to the adoption.
19. The birth parents are unwilling to provide contact information for the child.
20. The birth parents are deceased.
21. The birth parents are not the legal guardians of the child.
22. The birth parents are currently being investigated by Child Protective Services.
23. The birth parents are the subject of an investigation by Child Protective Services.
24. The birth parents have a history of domestic violence.
25. The birth parents are the subject of an investigation by Child Protective Services.
26. The birth parents are unable to consent to the adoption.
27. The birth parents have been identified as possible human traffickers.
28. The birth parents have a history of substance abuse.
29. The birth parents have a history of mental illness.
30. The birth parents are unable to provide contact information for the child.