How long does it take for adoption to be finalized?

The amount of time it takes for an adoption to be finalized in Pennsylvania varies greatly. Generally, the process has three stages. The first stage is completion of the adoption home study and submission of the full application to the court. During the home study, an approved social worker evaluates the adoptive family to make sure that the home is safe and suitable for a child. This process can take two to four months. The second stage is the court hearing. A judge or a master reviews the case and issues and order of adoption. This stage usually occurs three to six months after the home study. The final stage is the completion of the paperwork. The county agency or the department of health must be contacted to process the necessary documents. This process usually takes anywhere from two weeks to three months to complete. In summary, the entire adoption process can take anywhere from four to nine months for finalization, depending on the specific circumstances of the family and the availability of resources. Furthermore, the process can be delayed if there are complicating issues such as the birth parents’ rights or the child’s condtion.

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