What is the legal process for adopting a child?
When a child is placed with an adoptive family, an adoption petition should be filed within 30 days from date of placement. The court will request an evaluation of the placement by CCDSS or a private agency and a report to the court is needed within 60 days after the court issues the order for the evaluation. An adoption can be finalized 90 days after placement but usually takes 90 to 120 days to be completed. A new birth certificate is issued by the State and this can take up to 6 months to a year. The final order of adoption legal order can be used until a new birth certificate can be issued.
