What are the requirements for adopting a child?

In New Jersey, any adult who is at least 18 years old or married and at least 10 years older than the child can adopt a child. The adoptive parent must be a resident of the state for at least 6 months. Additionally, married couples must jointly consent to the adoption. If the adoptee is a relative of the adoptive parent, the adoptee must be younger than 18 years old and have resided with the adoptive parent for at least 6 months before the adoption. In such cases, the adoptive parent must take a course on adoption within 6 months of the adoption being approved and document that the course has been completed. Individuals hoping to adopt must submit an application, including a background check. The background check must include, among other things, criminal history and any involvement with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The applicant must also get fingerprinted as part of the background check. Finally, if the adoption is from an adoption agency, the applicant must receive counseling about the adoption process from a licensed clinical social worker. The counseling should include information about the physical, psychological, and social effects of adoption on both the adoptive family and the adoptee. In addition to these steps, the adoptee’s birth parent must consent to the adoption in order for it to be legally binding in the state of New Jersey.

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What are the requirements for adopting a child?

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