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The Step by Step Guide to Adoption
The adoption process can be hard to follow, so to make it easy for all of you, Toby and I listed the 25 steps in adopting a child. As we complete the steps, we will change them from purple to pink. The process itself is said to take from 12-18 months. We look forward to this journey, and are glad to have you along for the adventure!
1. Attend an orientation meeting at the adoption agency.
2. Send in a Preliminary Interest Form.
3. Preliminary Interest is reviewed by the agency and faxed to Monterey.
4. Complete the Official Registration packet. This includes a personal questionaire, an income declaration,
a budget report, an emergency plan (complete with diagrams), a live scan fingerprint, a 37 page child desired
worksheet, and you must submit proof of car insurance, driving record, Marriage Certificate, and first aid/ CPR
and water safety certifications.
5. Send in initial $2500 for registration filing, application processing and adoption classes.
6. An Adoptions Social Worker is Assigned to the family.- Our Social Worker is named Kian.
7. The family receives a preliminary interview with the social worker. - April 14, 2003 @2pm
8. Thefamily begins adoption classes. We are registered to start May 19.
9. Application Packet is completed and Sent to Santa Ana.
10. Social Worker begins individual Interviews.- Michelle= June 2 @2pm
11. Home Visit- The social worker visits the home and checks household safety checklist. This meeting may also
include your family and close friends. All those who will be an intregal part of the child's day to day life should
be there.
12. Home Study is approved, denied, or deferred by the social worker's supervisor.
13. You will receive an approval letter.
14. When a match is found, the applicant will be notified. In a fostadopt program, the family will go the adoption
agency for a formal presentation of the child. In a newborn adoption the family will wait until the child is born,
and will go the hospital for the formal presentation.
15. Termintation of Parental Rights occurs immediately in the newborn program, the length of time varies in a fostadopt.
16. Adoptive Placement begins, and the child is considered to be in permanent placement. The adoption is not official
however, until the adoption decree is recorded in Sacramento. This can take 6-9 months.
17. A Family Leave is HIGHLY recommended as the family adjusts to their new life together.
18. BI-MONTHLY visits are mandated by law until the adoption decree is recorded.
19. Completions Process begins. There must be one post placement visit by a social worker before the court process
can begin. If necessary, the applicant may retain an attorney.
20. Finalization of the adoption takes place. The parents must appear in court with the child.- June 21@ 8:30am
21. An adoption deree is granted by the court.
22. An amended birth certificate will be registered in Sacramento within 60 days.
23. The parents must take a copy of the new bith certificate and adoption decree to the Social Security Administration
and request a new social security number for the child.
24. Once Sacramento records all the information, the state of California's jurisdiction over the child is terminated, and
the case is closed. Post- Adoption Services through the agency will continue to assist the Adoptive Parents with
any concerns regarding the child or needs for additional services at the request of the adoptive parents.
25. Have a long happy life together with your new family!- I decided to leave this one purple because I believe it is something we must strive to do
everyday, and should therefore, not ever be crossed off as done.
