How long does it take for adoption to be finalized?
In Arizona, the amount of time it takes for an adoption to be finalized can vary greatly, depending on circumstances. Generally, the entire process can take anywhere from three to six months. The majority of this time is spent gathering paperwork and waiting for each step to be completed. At the beginning of the process, the prospective adoptive parents will need to become certified by obtaining a home study. This typically includes interviews with both adoptive parents and their families, background checks, and other requirements. Once this step is completed, the adoption application and the home study will need to be filed with the court. Once the application is accepted, a hearing will be scheduled. At this hearing, the court will review the adoption paperwork, take testimony, and make a determination if the adoption should be allowed to proceed. If approved, the court will issue a final adoption decree. Once the final adoption decree is issued, the prospective adoptive parents will receive full legal custody of the child. This finalization usually takes several weeks to complete. Once all necessary documents have been filed with the court, the adoption is considered finalized and the new family can begin their journey together.
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