What is the adoption process like?

The adoption process in Texas is regulated by the Texas Family Code and requires the adoption to be approved by the court. To adopt a child in the state, the prospective parents must first decide if they would like to adopt a child through a private agency or if they would like to adopt independently. If the prospective parents opt to use a private agency, they must typically complete an application and provide social and financial information to the agency. The agency will then review the prospective parents’ information and check for criminal and child abuse records. If the prospective parents pass the review, the agency will arrange and facilitate home study assessments to assess their parenting abilities. If the prospective parents opt to adopt independently, they must complete their home studies and background checks themselves and submit them to the court. All potential parents must also complete fingerprinting and FBI background checks. Once all requirements are met, the court must approve the adoption. The adoptive parents will then have to sign documents to finalize the adoption. Depending on the state, there may also be a mandatory waiting period before the adoption is complete. After the adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents will receive an Adoption Final Decree from the court, which serves as the child’s legal birth certificate.

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What is the adoption process like?

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