| Step-parent adoptions are the most common form | | | | will be completed by him or her. If you choose to do |
| of child adoptions. These adoptions are usually simpler | | | | it yourself, make sure you know exactly where to |
| and quicker than other types of adoptions because | | | | turn the paperwork in. You wouldn't want to be |
| many states forego the home-study and the waiting | | | | waiting for a long time only to discover that you |
| or adjustment period. Some states require the | | | | turned your paperwork in to the wrong court worker |
| custodial parent be married to the step-parent for at | | | | and it subsequently got lost. You would have lost all |
| least one year before the step-parent can file to | | | | that time, work and money already invested and |
| adopt the spouse's children. The custodial parent | | | | would have to redo the paperwork.The next step is |
| cannot file the request, or petition, for the adoption, | | | | often the longest and most stressful step, whether |
| only the step-parent can do that.The first move in a | | | | you hire a lawyer or not. Itis waiting for your hearing |
| step-parent adoption is familiarizing yourself with your | | | | date. You are usually required to attend this hearing. |
| state's adoption law. This may be done as easily as | | | | This date is decided upon the judge's schedule, your |
| hiring a lawyer that specializes in adoptions or family | | | | lawyer's schedule (if you have one) and the court |
| law or you may choose to do your own research | | | | calendar. Your schedule is rarely taken into account |
| and look up the adoption law yourself. Some states | | | | because you are the one requesting this change and |
| require the adopting parent to be represented by a | | | | are expected to take off work whenever notified of |
| lawyer, so be sure to find that information out as | | | | a court date.The next step, obviously, is to attend |
| well. Another point to take into consideration when | | | | the court hearing. Court hearings are used to |
| deciding on a lawyer is, lawyers are able to search | | | | question the parties involved, usually to let the judge |
| for cases similar to yours and see what the judges | | | | decide whether this adoption has been fully |
| decided in those cases and determine if that case | | | | considered and if the child is old enough, to let him or |
| would be of assistance in getting your adoption | | | | her tell the judge how he or she feels about the |
| approved.The second step in a step-parent adoption | | | | adoption. Your attorney, if you have one, will tell you |
| is contacting the court system. You need to find out | | | | how the adoption hearings go in your county and will |
| which court takes care of adoptions. This may be | | | | prepare you for the judge's questions. At the end of |
| juvenile court, family court, or surrogacy court, | | | | this hearing, the judge will set a finalization date if he |
| depending on your state. The court clerk will be able | | | | or she believes the adoption is in the best interest of |
| to provide this information to you, free of cost. Once | | | | the child.The seventh step is to finalize your adoption. |
| you find the proper court for adoptions, you need to | | | | Your lawyer will tell you if you are required to attend |
| request adoption information paperwork. Some | | | | this hearing. Most families choose to attend this |
| courts have this pre-packaged and ready to mail to | | | | hearing because it is somewhat of a celebration for |
| you immediately and some do not. If your court | | | | them since it completes their family. At the end of |
| does not have this information pre-packaged, make | | | | the finalization hearing, you will receive copies of the |
| sure you find out whether you need to be | | | | adoption documents. You may want to request extra |
| represented by a lawyer during the proceedings and | | | | copies to show the school system and the |
| where you can get copies of all the legal documents | | | | government for a new Social Security card, birth |
| you will need.The third step in a step-parent adoption | | | | certificate, etc.The eighth and final step is to get the |
| is obtaining and completing the proper legal forms. If | | | | proper identification documents with the child's new |
| you have hired a lawyer for this procedure, he or | | | | name. These are usually the birth certificate and |
| she will be able to obtain and assist you in completing | | | | Social Security card. The court clerk will send in |
| the legal forms. If you decide to do this on your | | | | paperwork for your child's birth certificate to be |
| own, the court that you contacted in the second | | | | changed at the Department of Vital Statistics. After |
| step will tell you where to obtain the legal forms. | | | | a predetermined waiting period, usually 30 to 60 |
| Then you fill them out with all the relevant | | | | days, you may apply for the amended birth |
| information. I recommend hiring a lawyer for this | | | | certificate. You will have to pay a fee for this |
| whole procedure because legal forms can be very | | | | document. Once you receive the birth certificate, you |
| confusing to someone who is unfamiliar with the | | | | can apply for the new Social Security card. Both of |
| law.The fourth step is submitting the paperwork to | | | | these documents usually take four to six weeks to |
| the proper authorities. If you hire a lawyer, this step | | | | arrive after you have completed the application. |