Post adoption issues – birth certificate, social security number, estate planning?
After adoption finalization, the court will notify the Ohio Division of Vital Statistics of the adoption and a new birth certificate will be issued – usually within four to six months. Until then, the documentation obtained at the hearing will serve as ‘proof of parenthood.’ Adoptive parents may desire to obtain a new social security number for their child – even if a new number isn’t desired, the social security administration should be advised of the child’s new status and name so as to avoid issues with the IRS when tax returns are cross-referenced. In addition, adoptive parents should carefully review their estate plan to verify it provides the distribution they anticipate or desire and to provide a suitable nominee to serve as guardian.
