How long does it take for adoption to be finalized?

The length of time it takes for an adoption to be finalized in Colorado depends on a few factors, including the type of adoption, whether the birth parents are consenting to the adoption, and other extenuating circumstances. Adopting through an agency typically takes longer than private adoption or stepparent adoption. Agency adoptions can take 6 months to a year or more to complete because of the additional procedures involved in the process, such as home studies, background checks, training, and adoption education. Private adoptions are often more efficient, with a timeline that can range between several weeks and several months. In private adoptions, an adoption attorney facilitates the process and works with both the adoptive family and the birth parents. Stepparent adoptions are usually the quickest type of adoption, taking approximately two to three months to complete. These adoptions are often considered uncontested because one or both of the birth parents consent to the adoption. Regardless of the type of adoption, once the court approves the adoption, it is considered legally binding. The adoptive family will receive a new birth certificate with the child’s new name and the adoptive parents listed as parents. Once the court order is issued, the adoption is finalized.

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