There are several ways to find a child and to process the adoption through the courts.
The greatest number of adoptions that we see are step-parent adoptions, where the custodial parent is remarried and the non-custodial parent relinquishes their parental rights so that a stepfather or stepmother can adopt the child/ren. A non-custodial parent need not relinquish their parental rights, as a prospective adoptive step-parent can bring a termination of parental rights action to terminate that parent’s rights in order to adopt their step-child/ren.
Other ways that children are found for adoption is through state agencies, privately through a private placement (such as a friend of the family), international adoptions and agency adoptions.
International adoptions or adoption of children across state lines must comply with the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC). See Sections 701-710.
Generally speaking, adoption agencies have their own attorneys that they use to process the adoptions through the court system.
Please reply with any questions or comments you have with regards to this information.
