What is a private adoption?

A private adoption is a legal process that allows an individual or couple to adopt a child who is not related to them by blood. The process is regulated by local and state laws. In New York, the laws governing private adoptions are found in New York’s Domestic Relations Law and in New York’s Social Services Law. In order for an adoption to be private, the child must already have been legally separated from their biological parent or parents. The biological parents must have voluntarily given up their parental rights. The adoptive parents must have a home study approved by the appropriate state department or agency and have all other necessary approvals before the adoption is finalized. Private adoptions are usually arranged through an adoption agency or an adoption attorney. In the case of an adoption agency, once the adoptive parents have been approved, the agency will attempt to match the family with an eligible child to be adopted. The agency will conduct a background check on the adoptive family and will prepare for the home study. Once the adoption is finalized, the adoptive parents will become the legal parents of the adopted child and the child will have all the rights and privileges of a biological child. The identity of the biological parents will remain confidential. It is important for adoptive parents to understand the laws and regulations governing private adoptions in New York so that their adoption is legally sound.

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