There are thousands of children in Arizona that need adoption and the Arizona Department of Economic Security is tasked with facilitating AZ adoption and providing information on adopting a child in the state.  The adoption process is a lengthy one, often lasting at least a few months, necessitating a home visit and other measures and background checks to ensure that you are a suitable foster parent.

How do I start the process for Arizona adoptions?

The best way to begin is not by browsing listings of children, but instead making contact with the DES to express your interest in becoming a foster parent.  They will best prepare and inform you on the process to become a parent as well as vital information that you will need to know.  You may get in contact with the DES to inquire about Arizona adoption by calling 1-877KIDS-NEEDU.  There is an option for Spanish translation.  You can also inquire by email or attend an orientation provided in the state for Arizona adoptions.  Generally, you can also start the process by working with a state-licensed adoption agency near you.

What are the requirements to be suitable for an Arizona adoption?

You will have to be an adult, resident of Arizona and meet the age requirements to be a foster or adoptive parent.  You will also need to either rent or own a home or property.  There are some other factors that will be considered at a later date when you are subject to the family evaluation.  Your competence as a parent will also be tested in classes that are mandated after the application for Arizona adoption is completed.  All of these factors contribute to the consideration of your suitability to be a parent.

How do I view children for Arizona adoptions?

The Arizona Department of Economic Security uses the website adoptuskids.org to help show listings of children in Arizona that need AZ adoption.  

From there, you will be able to search and browse the photo listing of children in Arizona, view sibling groups for children that must be kept together and find out about other special needs to carry out the Arizona adoption.

How do I locate an AZ adoption agency or other organization that can facilitate my Arizona adoption?

You will be able to use the Arizona Foster Home Connection System  to find information about being licensed to provide foster care as well as work towards an Arizona adoption.  Follow the prompts and read all information provided to you carefully.  The information is instrumental in learning more about the process to get Arizona adoptions.  Only work with AZ adoptions agencies verified and trusted to handle Arizona adoptions.

Considerations for Arizona adoptions

You will need to consider the needs of the child before you adopt and your ability to provide for those needs consistently.  There are a number of children with special needs in the AZ adoption system and they will require special care that some may not be able to provide.  All needs, ranging from medical to educational to emotional, will have to be fulfilled by the adoptive parent under Arizona adoption laws.

You will have to pass all necessary stages to be considered eligible to adopt under Arizona law on adoption.  This includes the home visit and other evaluations to determine suitability for Arizona adoptions.  There is no way to get around this lengthy process, as this is necessary to determine if the household is suitable and safe environment for an AZ adoption.

Indiana adoptions will be handled by the Department of Child Services and there is the SNAP program (Special Needs Adoption Program) to encourage and facilitate the Indiana adoption of children with specific needs and in need of homes.  SNAP specialists, as well as Licensed Child Placing Agency representatives can both help you being the process to be eligible to adopt a child and the process will involve a number of necessary steps to ensure that your home is suitable for children and you have values consistent with and conducive to raising a child in your household.

How do I view children for Indiana adoption?

The Indiana Department of Child Services uses the website adoptuskids.org to facilitate prospective adoptive parents viewing children that need Indiana adoption.  

You will be able to select any child or pair of children and make an inquiry on how to go about adopting them.  From there, you will decide to initiate the Indiana adoption process to demonstrate your ability as an adoptive parent.

What is the process for Indiana adoptions?

In order to be eligible to adopt a child, you will have to undergo rigorous screening and background checks as well as demonstrate your suitability to be a parent through home study and other evaluation.  Home Study involves a visit by the adoption agency to the prospective parent’s residents.  There are a number of factors considered when determining if the home is suitable and proper for adoption consideration.  

What are sibling groups in the IN adoption definition?

For most modern IN adoption, siblings will be offered as part of an adoption group.  This means that they will be adopted as a pair (or larger) and will require the approval of SNAP for all the children in the pairing.  The home study and other requirements will focus on the suitability of the home for all of the children, as some will have special needs and the children in question must all be taken care of accordingly.

Where can I find more specifics on the IN adoption process?

You will be able to call the IN adoption hotline at 1-888-25-ADOPT.  This hotline will provide you with some baseline information on how to begin the process to adopt a child through Indiana adoption.  If you have concerns about your ability to properly fill out paperwork and meet other requirements, you should speak with an Indiana adoption attorney for more information about the process, paperwork and how the Indiana adoption attorney can secure full custody of a child that still have living birth parents.  There are some legal issues that might come with an IN adoption and speaking with an Indiana adoption attorney is one of the best ways to understand the Indiana adoptions process and applicable issues.

Why should I facilitate Indiana adoptions through state agencies?

Though you are working with an adoption agency to have the adoption proceed according to the Indian law, do not seek shortcuts or methods around the law relating to Indiana adoptions, such as avoiding home visits and background checks.  This is especially common in international adoption.  Regardless of the reasoning, work with IN adoption law and complete all steps to ensure that the Indiana adoptions process will continue without major disruption.

Laws and Procedures Associated with Montana Adoption:

In 2003, there were over 500 prospective adoptive children in custody of Montana’s Department of Social and Health Services. The purpose of Montana’s adoption program is to satisfy the permanency needs of children. The Montana Department of Social and Health Services is responsible for finding stable and safe families that can effectively meet the needs of adopted children.

How Do I start an MT Adoption?

What to consider when pursuing a MT Adoption:

• Choose the desired sex: do you want to adopt a boy or girl?

• What is the desired age of the child? 

• Am I interesting in adopting a sibling group?

• Should I consider adopting a sibling group in order to get the type and age of child I am interest in? • Should I be willing to have open communication with the child’s birth parents? • Can I parent a child who is physically or sexually abused and/or neglected? • Can I parent a child that faces on-going medical issues, is diagnosed with a developmental disability who is developmentally delayed? • Can I parent a child who is exposed to alcohol and drugs in utero? • Does the ethnicity of the child I adopt?

• How does my extended family feel about Montana adoption?

• If I participate in a Montana adoption with a child of a different race or ethnicity will I be judged by my family and friends? • How will I handle adoption-related questions posed by my child?

Step by Step: The MT Adoption Process

1. The first step to a Montana adoption requires you to contact your local office. Contact the department, a worker will answer any of your questions, send you information and provide information—through the delivery of adoption brochures—for their particular office. If you are looking to finalize a Montana adoption, you should sign-up for pre-service training courses through your local office. Montana law on adoption states that you are required to have 30 hours of training to learn about foster issues and adoption. When training is complete, you can be assigned a social worker. 

2. Adoptive Home Study: All prospective adopting parents must undertake an adoptive home study. The adoptive home study’s primary purpose is to evaluate whether parents are eligible to proceed with a Montana adoption. The process of a Montana adoption involved preparation and educations as well as procuring information concerning the prospective parents. An Adoptive home study will include the following steps: 

a. Application is provided by the agency

b. Preparation classes: To secure a Montana adoption, you are required to take 30 hours of pre-service training. Class schedule information may be found on the Foster Parent Training site. 

c. Criminal History Background Check: this portion of the home study is organized through your social worker. A criminal history background check must be completed on every individual over the age of 16 residing in the prospective home. A national fingerprint test must also be completed for all adults in the home over the age of 18 and above, has lived in another state over the last 5 years, a background check will be inspected from other states. 

These tests will be organized through your social worker 

Child Neglect and Abuse Inquiries: This is a portion of the background check. Montana state records are checked for every individual in the home for anyone 16 years of age and older. All individuals in the home above the age of 18 who have lived in another state during the last five years will be checked.

Personal Information: The DSHS will implement a form to provide your social worker with information about you. The application will question the following subjects:

Family facts, Education, Employment History, Cultural background, Relationships, Parenting and Experience with Children, Medical and psychosocial questions, Religious affiliation and practices, Support Systems and home and neighborhood questions 

Medical Statements: This is a confidential form that your medical professional will fill-out regarding historic and current medical ailments. Your social worker will provide you with the necessary forms. 

Income Statements: The social worker—for a Montana adoption—will provide you with a worksheet that will seek information on the following topics: bank accounts, credit cards, tax returns, income etc. 

MT Adoption: The Home Study

A home study for Montana adoptions must be approved to continue with the process. In general, home studies for Montana adoptions will be approved within 90 days 

3. Child Selection for Montana Adoptions: There are various ways to select a child for Montana adoptions: a. Social workers will contact you concerning a specific child for Montana adoptions b. Or you can contact the social worker about children you either found on a site or heard about You and your social worker must be in contact to secure background information about the child up for Montana adoptions. At this point, you may begin working with 2 different social workers: your social worker and the child’s social worker for MT adoptions. 

4. Visitation and Placement Process: To go ahead with Montana adoptions you must ensure that there has been a disclosure of the child’s medical, family and social background. For MT adoptions to be finalized, it may take two weeks to several months to place the child in your home depending on the youth’s needs (age, therapy and medical issues, school, child’s well-being, location of the adoptive family etc.). Visitation for Montana adoptions will typically begin at a location deemed safe for the child. Visits will lengthen in time; they get progressively longer until the youth moves to your home.

5. Post Placement: During this portion of the Montana adoption process, your social worker will continue working with you until the adoption is affirmed. Montana adoptions, in this stage, entail the arrangement of needed services (medical, schooling, counseling, child and family etc.). MT adoptions will also require the social worker to come to your home to check on the well-being of the child at least once every 90 days until the adoption is affirmed.

6. Steps for Legal Procedures and Finalizing Montana Adoptions:

a. Contact a MT Adoption attorney

b. Finalize the MT adoption support application delivered to you by your social worker. When completed, the adoption support program specialist is assigned to you. The program specialist reviews your application to determine if the youth qualifies for the program according to Montana and federal laws. The negotiated contract outlining the benefits and terms will be presented for signature. 

c. The social worker must complete a post-placement report. The report provides the court with an update of the family’s and child’s well-being since placement d. DSHS provides a Consent to Adopt for Montana adoptions. This is a written statement to authorize that the child may be adopted e. The social worker—to finalize Montana adoptions—will send your attorney a packet containing crucial documents for Montana adoptions f. Your attorney will prepare the document to present to the court. Your attorney will also file the petition and secure a court date to finalize MT adoptions

Quick Guide to North Carolina Adoptions

Laws on North Carolina adoptions

The majority of laws on North Carolina adoption are located in Chapter 48 of the NC General Statutes.  These laws provide general provisions and procedures for the adoption of minors, stepchildren, adults, by a former parent, and more.  For a complete listing of law on North Carolina adoptions, 

Eligibility Factors

Laws for North Carolina adoption are very relaxed, and almost anyone can adopt in the state if they have a clean criminal history and strong evidence of financial security.  According to Statute 48-1-103: 

“Any adult may adopt another individual as provided in this Chapter, but spouses may not adopt each other.” 

Additionally, Statute 48-1-104 states the following as well: 

“Any individual may be adopted as provided in this Chapter.” 

Statute 48-3-201 North Carolina law states what entities may place a child for adoption.  As other states, the placement of North Carolina adoption is heavily regulated by the state, and accord to 48-3-201, only the following entities can place a child: 

1. an agency

2. a guardian 

3. both parents acting jointly if both parents are living together or one has legal custody and the other physical custody

4. a parent with legal and physical custody of a minor

The rest of the article will discuss North Carolina adoptions that go through an agency or a parent(s) with custody rights.  For more information on the procedure for a Adoption in North Carolina, you’ll want to speak with an adoption attorney before you even begin searching or file a petition.  

North Carolina adoptions through an Agency

The majority of the state’s agency adoptions go through the NC Division of Social Services.  The state offers the Adoption Exchange program call NC Kids that attempts to place children needing homes with families trying to adopt.  Children waiting for a North Carolina adoption through this agency include any of the following who will not return to their birthparent’s home: 

1. children with special needs such as physical, mental, and emotional disabilities 

2. sibling groups and teenagers 

3. minority children, the majority of which are African American males 

Private North Carolina adoptions

If a birthmother wants to choose the adopting parents and privately sign the papers, the state allows such an adoption.  The North Carolina adoption process for such an adoption does not start until a child is born, and there is no waiting period for the mother to sign the papers.  

The consent to the private adoption must be signed in front of notary public or a clerk, but judicial consent is not required in NC.  Parental rights are not terminated until the final decree is signed by the court, but a birthmother has 7 days to change her mind after signing the adoption papers to maintain custody of the child.  The state of NC also allows a birthmother to maintain contact with the child if the adopting parents agree.  

The Associated Press has reported that Germany’s highest court bolstered gay couples’ adoption rights in a ruling Tuesday; Germany’s justice minister regarded the ruling as a historic step in the nation’s equal rights endeavor.

Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court ruled that a member of a civil partnership should be permitted to adopt the partner’s adopted child or stepchild; before this ruling, prospective parents in a civil union could only adopt a partner’s biological child.

Germany has permitted same-sec couples to register civil partnerships—a union that legally falls short of a formal marriage—since 2001. Dissimilar to many other European nations, including the Netherlands, Spain and most recently, Great Britain and France, Germany has failed to move toward offering full gay marriage.

The high court ruled on a challenge to the existing regulations from a woman who was prohibited permission to adopt a Bulgarian child whom her partner had adopted. The high court requested that the government construct new legislation by June of 2014.

The German court ruled that the constitutional provision claiming “marriage and the family shall enjoy the protection of the state,” cannot be applied to justify banning same-sex partners from adopting the other partner’s adopted child.

Presiding judge Ferdinand Kirchhof claimed, “in marriage as in a civil partnership, the act of adoption provides the child in the same manner with material advantages in terms of support, care and inheritance law.”

Though the judgment means that same-sex couples can adopt the same child on an individual basis, gay couples are still not permitted to adopt children together as a couple.

In a separate legal matter, the court is considering whether gay partnerships should be granted the same tax breaks as given to married couples; it is currently unclear as to when a decision will be made on this issue.

In response to the court’s ruling, Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger claimed, “Today’s decision marks a historic movement to put homosexual families in Germany on a secure legal footing. Full adoption is the next step.”

The Justice Minister is a member of the Free Democrats—the socially liberal partner in Chancellor Merkel’s coalition. That said several members of Merkel’s conservative Union bloc are more skeptical with regards to gay marriage and adoption.

In a separate court decision on Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Austria’s decision deny a homosexual woman the right to adopt her partner’s son. Under Australian law, granting the woman the right to adopt the boy would have terminated his mother’s parental rights. Tuesday’s ruling acknowledged that European law concerning same-sex couple adoptions is in flux, but affirmed that Austria had discriminated against the lesbian couple.