Adoptions

Type of Adoption Filings

Adult: An adult adoption may occur once the potential adoptee reaches the age of 18 or older. At that time, the only consent required is that of the adult wishing to be adopted and, of course, the person willing to adopt.

Foreign: A foreign adoption is the process by which you adopt a child from a country other than your own through permanent legal means and then bring that child to your country of residence to live with you permanently.

Private:  A private adoption occurs when hopeful adoptive parents work with a private adoption agency to adopt an infant from the U.S. On the other side of this process, a prospective birth parent voluntarily chooses to create an adoption plan for the infant.

Legal Guardian/Legal Custodian:  A person who has legal custody of a child or a public children services agency or private child placing agency that has permanent, temporary, or legal custody of a child.

Minor:  Minor adoption is the legal adoption of a child by the spouse of the child's birth parent.

PLEASE NOTE: CUT OFF TIME FOR FILING IS 3:45 P.M.

Applicant(s) must do criminal back ground check and must have a home study completed.
For a criminal background check, please call the Richland County Sheriff Office at 419-774-5678.
To arrange a home study, please contact the adoption clerk at 419-774-5584.