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