RELATIVE ADOPTIONS

Sometimes a child is adopted by his/her grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult sibling. This is preferred by birthparents who want to keep the child within the family.

Steps to complete a relative adoption include:

 

(1) Consent to Adoption is signed by the birthmother and legal father. If birthparents refuse to sign or cannot be found, a Petition for Adoption may be filed in court and a Citation to Show Cause served upon them.

 

(2) Petition for Adoption is prepared and the adoptive parents must sign the Petition. An adoptee over the age of 14 must consent in writing to his/her adoption. The adoption process may include the change of name for the child.

 

(3) Petition for Adoption is then filed in Circuit Court. Copies of the papers are sent to Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). A Criminal Records and Child Protective Services background clearance is completed on all adults residing in the household. Assuming that no criminal record is discovered, a Waiver of Homestudy will be filed by the Department of Human Services. If something of serious concern appears on the record, DHS may require a homestudy to be completed on the adoptive family.

 

(4) If parental consents cannot be obtained, a court hearing to show cause why the adoption should not be granted will be scheduled. Papers must be personally served upon the parents. If this is not possible, the court, upon showing reasonable effort has been made, will allow service by publication in a newspaper with a circulation in the area of the birthparent’s last known residence. If the birthparent(s) does not appear, his/her rights are terminated by default. If he/she does appear, the result will depend on the circumstances of the case.

 

(5) After the Waiver of Homestudy has been filed by DHS, the Decree of Adoption is submitted to the court. Adoptive parents have the choice of having the court mail the signed Decree of Adoption, or requesting a Decree Signing Ceremony in the court.

 

After the Decree is signed, you will receive a new Birth Certificate from the state where the adoptee was born. It will show the adoptive parents as the legal parents of the child, with the name now chosen for the child.

 

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