What is the process of adopting a child?

Answer 1

It depends on what state/country you live in, and what the child's situation is.
If you want to adopt from an orphange/foster home situation, you have to apply to the individual agency.
If it is a stepchild or relative/friend situation, you have to go through the courts of the state.
Either way, you have to file legal papers that state your intent and notify the biological parents. You will then be given a waiting period, which differs by where you live, and have to have an interview or observation by child services and/or a psychologist. In most cases a background check will be done. The biological parents will usually be offered a hearing in which they can choose to object to the adoption and state why. If they do, it will be heard and decided by a judge.
Fees will have to be paid to the courts and an attorney, and possibly the adoption agency if the child is currently without a home.
Once the time frame has passed and all documents are signed by a judge, a new birth certificate is issued with the new parents names listed-with no indication that it has been changedfrom the original, and with the new last name if you have chosen to change it. The old birth certificate becomes a sealed record.
My husband adopted my daughter from a previous marriage, and the whole process took about 4 months and cost about $2000.00.

Answer 2

It would depend on what State you and the child are living in.