What are the requirements for adopting a child?

In Delaware, there are certain requirements for adopting a child. If you are a resident of Delaware, or a US citizen residing in a different state, you must be at least 21 years of age, married, and have sufficient financial stability in order to adopt a child in Delaware. If you are single, you must be at least 25 years of age. The state of Delaware also requires that potential adoptive parents attend an approved adoption education program. This is a 10-hour course that includes classes on the topics of adoption, parenting, and post-adoption services. This class must be completed within two years of making the application to adopt. In order to be eligible to adopt, you will need to have a home study completed. This home study is a comprehensive report that evaluates the potential adoptive parents. The report includes the family’s background, health information, financial and employment history, and parenting capabilities. The home study must be completed by a licensed social worker in the state of Delaware. All potential adoptive parents must also go through a criminal background check. This is done to ensure that the potential adoptive parents will be able to provide a safe and secure environment for the child. Once these requirements have been met, the adoptive parents will need to submit an adoption application to the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. After the application is approved, the adoptive parents can then begin the process of finding a child to adopt.

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