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Adoption Process

Step-by-step guide

There are several steps in the process when you adopt a child from foster care. Learn about the timeline and what to expect.

Step 1 - Choose to adopt

​If you have questions about adoption or want to learn more:

​Many things in your life will change after you adopt a child. For that reason, everyone in your home needs to be comfortable and on board with the decision. Here are some questions that can help you and your family decide:​

  • Do we all believe that adoption is right for us? 
  • Do we have friends or family that will support us in this decision?
  • Do we have space in our home for one child or siblings?
  • Is there an age of child that our family could best support?
  • Are we ​prepared to support a child who has experienced trauma and loss?
  • Are we open and committed to keeping a child’s connections with their family, culture and community?

Step 2 - Start the process

​One you’ve made the decision to adopt, visit our Resource and Adoptive Family Training page​ to start the process.​

Through nine training sessions, your family will receive training needed to welcome a child who has been abused or neglected. This training is ba​sed on research and input from experts, families who have experience with fostering or adopting children, and former foster and adoptive youth.

Training ​topics include:

  • How to parent a child who has experienced trauma and loss
  • How to support openness and connections to a child’s family, culture and community
  • Where to get support and resources
​

Once you decide to pursue adoption, you will need to:

  • Complete an application and provide four to five references
  • Get a background check for criminal history and child abuse reports
  • Provide a physical and medical history check that you are in good health and have the ability to care for a child​
​

After we accept your application, an adoption worker will help you complete a home study. This process has many steps and will look different for every family. The home study process includes interviews with all members of the household to learn about their strengths, supports, and readiness for adoption. It also includes visits to your home​ and safety inspections.

​You have completed training, a background check, and a home study. We can now consider your family when a child in our care needs a permanent home. Our adoption workers' goal is to find the best fit for each child. If you are selected as the adoptive family for a child, the next step is to prepare your home.

Step 3 - Adoption

We need to follow a process to prepare children moving from foster care into your home. It can take some time for that transition to happen.​ We'll make a visitation plan so your family and the child can get to know one another and adapt to living together. During this time, you will also get the child's medical history and assessments.

Although you are the adoptive family for the child, the child is still in foster care until the adoption is finalized. During this time, an adoption worker will visit you and the child monthly for at least six months as a support. These visits may occur in your home or the community and will include conversations with you and the child individually.

This helps makes sure everyone is adjusting well as the child starts living in your home. If your family or the child needs more support, the adoption worker will help you find services.​

Step 4 - Finalize the adoption

When your family and the professionals agree that it’s time, the adoption can be legally finalized. A judge will issue a final judgment of adoption and your family will have permanent legal parental rights and responsibilities​​. You can now apply for a birth certificate with your name(s) listed as the child’s parent(s).

After adoption, you will support your child financially. However, most children who are adopted qualify for Adoption Assistance. This can be financial help and/or medical insurance depending on the needs of the child. There is a federal tax credit to help families and many employers also offer benefits. All children qualify for state funded medical and dental coverage up to age 18. Some children will qualify until the age of 21.

Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC) helps families who adopt children from foster care. ORPARC services include:

  • ​Training
  • A lending library of videos, audio tapes, books and other materials.
  • Referral lists of mental health providers, advocacy groups and support groups.
  • A welcome packet to all adoptive families.​
  • Recursos en Español​

Contacts

If you would like to know more about the adoption process, contact your local ODHS Resource Family Retention and Recruitment Champion or a Special Needs Adoption Coalition (SNAC) agency.